MAC · Lipstick & Lip Products
MAC Locked Kiss Ink
Lower concern; no known PFAS use in liquid lipstick formulas.
MAC Locked Kiss Ink is a liquid lipstick without disclosed PFAS or known Teflon-family coating coatings. Standard cosmetic pigments and polymers pose minimal PFAS risk; no third-party testing available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
pigments, film-forming polymers, solvents
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
MAC Locked Kiss Ink is a liquid lipstick comprising film-forming polymers (likely acrylates or similar), organic pigments for color, and volatile organic solvents (typically ethanol or glycols). The polymers create a long-wear finish by forming a flexible film on lips; pigments determine color stability and potential heavy metal content. Solvent choice affects evaporation rate and skin irritation risk, ethanol-based formulas are generally lower irritant than some alternatives, though they dry lips.
The brand's record and disclosure
MAC (Estee Lauder subsidiary) does not publicly detail ingredient sourcing or heavy metal testing limits for this product, though parent company Estee Lauder adheres to FDA cosmetic safety baseline and EU restrictions on prohibited substances. No recalls specific to Locked Kiss Ink are on record. MAC does not certify as hypoallergenic or cruelty-free, limiting transparency relative to indie brands, but meets standard regulatory compliance in major markets.
How it compares in its category
Liquid lipsticks as a class carry minor risks around pigment purity and solvent volatility; MAC's formula sits in the mainstream safety range alongside brands like NARS and Urban Decay. Indie and indie-adjacent brands (e.g., Fenty Beauty) sometimes publish third-party heavy metal testing; MAC does not, making relative assurance harder to quantify. Cream and wax lipsticks avoid solvent exposure but may carry higher talc or fragrance allergen load.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, dry lips to minimize irritation from solvents. Store upright in cool, dark conditions to prevent pigment settling and solvent evaporation that degrades formula. Replace every 2-3 years or immediately if color shifts, smell changes, or separation occurs (signs of microbial growth or chemical breakdown). Discontinue if rash, burning, or swelling develops; patch test on inner arm first if you have sensitive skin or lip history.
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 synthetic organic pigments
Synthetic azo dyes and iron oxides used in lipsticks can occasionally contain trace lead, cadmium, or chromium as manufacturing byproducts. MAC has not published pigment-specific heavy metal limits; FDA baseline is permissive (no explicit caps for cosmetic pigments), so contamination below detection thresholds is legally compliant but not zero-risk.
1,4-dioxane in solvent trace contamination
Ethanol-based solvents in liquid lipsticks typically do not generate 1,4-dioxane unless polyethylene glycol is included; MAC Locked Kiss Ink ingredient list does not disclose presence of PEG, and no published testing or recalls cite dioxane in this product.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers
Film-forming polymer systems in modern liquid lipsticks do not rely on formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (outdated in premium cosmetics). No evidence of this hazard in Locked Kiss Ink formulas or MAC's broader portfolio.
Solvent-induced lip irritation and barrier disruption
Ethanol and glycol solvents in long-wear liquid lipsticks are documented to cause dryness, burning, or contact dermatitis in users with sensitive lips or existing barrier damage. MAC Locked Kiss Ink users occasionally report irritation on online forums, though causation (formula vs. individual sensitivity) is not proven. Risk mitigated by patch testing and limiting wear duration.
Fragrance allergens (if added)
Some MAC lipstick shades include fragrance compounds; full fragrance disclosure is not always itemized. Potential allergens include limonene and linalool (natural fragrance components). Individuals with fragrance sensitivity should verify specific shade ingredient list or avoid scented variants.
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 lipstick & lip products 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.