Coty · Beauty Primers & Setting Sprays
City Color Collection Primer & Matte Setting Spray Set
Low PFAS risk. Cosmetic liquids rarely contain intentional PFAS.
Primer and setting sprays are water-based cosmetics without typical PFAS applications like water-repellency or nonstick coatings. Coty has not disclosed PFAS information, but standard cosmetic formulations carry lower inherent risk than treated textiles or cookware.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
liquid cosmetics, water and pigment based
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
City Color primers and setting sprays are water and pigment-based liquid cosmetics, typically formulated with glycerin, silicones, film-formers, and iron oxides or synthetic colorants. Water-based liquid cosmetics present lower chemical volatility than powder formulations and eliminate inhalation risk from talc or mica dust. The liquid matrix generally stabilizes pigments and additives, reducing migration into skin compared to loose powders or creams.
The brand's record and disclosure
Coty is a major multinational cosmetics company (owns Covergirl, Rimmel, Adore) but does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing, heavy metal testing, or formaldehyde-releaser screening on its website. The company has faced no major product recalls or safety alerts specific to City Color primers or sprays in recent years. Coty complies with FDA cosmetic regulations but does not exceed them with third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Cruelty-Free Certified).
How it compares in its category
Liquid primers and setting sprays occupy a middle tier for safety: they avoid talc and loose particulate risks but depend on preservative systems and fragrance stability. City Color products are budget-category cosmetics; premium alternatives (Fenty, MAC) often provide more detailed safety documentation, while mass-market competitors (e.g., Maybelline, NYX) carry similar transparency gaps. Water-based formulation places this product in a lower-risk subcategory than silicone-heavy or oil-based primers.
If you buy it
Shake well before use to ensure pigment and film-former suspension. Store below 25C and away from direct sunlight to slow preservative degradation and prevent separation. Do not use if packaging is damaged or product shows discoloration, separation, or odor change, as these signal microbial growth or oxidation. Discontinue use if redness, itching, or sensitization occurs; patch-test on inner arm first if you have reactive skin.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing contaminant)
Water-based cosmetics using ethoxylated film-formers or emulsifiers may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct; Coty does not publish testing data for City Color products. Risk is low for typical topical use but requires brand transparency to verify.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Setting sprays often include fragrance compounds listed as 'fragrance' or 'parfum' without full disclosure of allergen sub-components. Sensitive individuals may react to unspecified constituents; common culprits in cosmetic sprays include limonene and linalool.
Heavy metals in synthetic pigments (iron oxides, colorants)
Iron oxides and synthetic dyes used in primers and sprays are generally well-regulated and pose no established risk at cosmetic exposure levels; however, Coty does not publish third-party heavy metal assay results for City Color lines.
Preservative system efficacy and microbial growth
Liquid cosmetics require robust preservative systems; if formulation, storage, or user hygiene is compromised, bacterial or fungal contamination can occur. No specific preservative failures are on record for City Color, but water-based products are inherently susceptible if contaminated post-opening.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Modern cosmetic formulations typically avoid formaldehyde releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) due to regulatory pressure, and no evidence suggests City Color uses these; however, ingredient transparency is not published by Coty.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More beauty primers & setting sprays grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.