Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint · Foundation
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 - Hydrating Foundation
Lower concern for PFAS; no high-risk coatings disclosed, but brand is silent on PFAS sourcing.
This is a liquid hydrating foundation with typical cosmetic ingredients (water, silicones, emollients). No waterproofing, nonstick, or stain-resistant treatment is marketed, so common PFAS application pathways are unlikely.
Shop Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint on Amazon →Material
Liquid foundation base (water, silicones, pigments); no disclosed PFAS-prone coatings
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint is a water-silicone hybrid liquid foundation combining water, silicones (for spreadability and moisture-barrier function), and iron oxide or mica-based pigments. The silicone base means it sits on skin rather than absorbing deeply, reducing systemic absorption risk. No disclosed talc, bismuth oxychloride, or other legacy problematic pigments are listed on the company's public materials, and the "serum" positioning suggests humectant additives rather than talc fillers.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ilia is known for moderate transparency on ingredient sourcing and positioning itself in the clean beauty space, though it does not voluntarily disclose PFAS testing or sourcing audits. The brand has no major recalls or documented heavy-metal contamination incidents on public record. Certifications and third-party testing data for this specific product are not prominently published, so independent verification of pigment purity is limited to reliance on regulatory compliance (FDA cosmetics oversight) rather than brand-led testing.
How it compares in its category
Liquid water-based foundations like this are generally lower-risk than powder formulations, which can harbor talc impurities or aerosolizable particles. Ilia's silicone-water formula is comparable to mainstream brands (e.g., MAC Face & Body, Laura Mercier), and safer than heavy mineral-pigment products or those with bismuth oxychloride. The SPF 40 claim means it contains UV-active filters (likely zinc oxide or titanium dioxide); non-nano forms are standard and pose minimal inhalation risk in liquid format.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve pigment stability and prevent microbial growth in the water phase (typical shelf life 12 months after opening). Use a clean applicator or hands to avoid contamination and extend product life. Discard if you notice separation, odor change, or visible mold, which would indicate preservative failure. If you have sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity, patch-test first; silicone-water blends generally suit most skin types but are not hypoallergenic.
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.”
Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium)
No recalls or documented contamination for Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. FDA regulates color additives in cosmetics, and iron oxide pigments (the likely base here) are among the lowest-risk classes. No public testing results available to confirm trace-metal levels, so reliance is on regulatory oversight and brand reputation rather than independent verification.
Formaldehyde releasers or preservatives
Water-based liquid foundations require preservatives to prevent microbial growth; common classes include parabens, phenoxyethanol, and methylchloroisothiazolinone. Ilia does not publicly list preservative systems for this product, so potential for trace formaldehyde release from certain preservatives cannot be ruled out, though modern formulations rarely use high-risk releasers like imidazolidinyl
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Product marketing emphasizes hydration and "serum" benefits but does not explicitly state fragrance-free status. If fragrance is present, component allergens (limonene, linalool, etc.) are not itemized. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity should contact the brand for full ingredient transparency or perform a patch test.
Microbial contamination or preservative failure
Water-based formulations are inherently prone to bacterial or fungal growth if preservative systems weaken or if contamination occurs during use. No public recalls suggest current preservative efficacy is adequate, but improper storage or use (contaminated applicators) increases risk over time.
1,4-dioxane contamination (surfactant residue)
1,4-dioxane is a manufacturing byproduct in some cosmetics, particularly those using ethoxylated ingredients. Ilia does not disclose ethoxylated surfactant use for this product, and no public testing has identified 1,4-dioxane in Ilia formulations. FDA monitoring and modern ingredient standards make this a low-probability concern, but full supply-chain transparency is unavailable.
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 foundation 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.