Makeup Forever Ultra HD · Pressed Powder
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder
Lower concern; typical pressed powder without known PFAS triggers, but no transparency.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder is a pressed mineral powder with no documented Teflon-type coating, silicone-based resins, or water-repellent coatings known to require PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims and publishes no ingredient transparency.
Shop Makeup Forever Ultra HD on Amazon →Material
Talc, silica, and pigments (powder base)
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
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder is a talc-based formulation combined with silica and iron oxide pigments. Talc itself is inert when applied to skin, but the hazard class centers on inhalation risk during application and storage. Silica (likely crystalline in trace amounts) poses a respiratory concern if powder is aerosolized and inhaled repeatedly over time. Iron oxides used as colorants are generally non-toxic and well-tolerated in cosmetics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Make Up For Ever (LVMH-owned) does not publish detailed ingredient safety or PFAS testing data on this product; ingredient lists are available but no third-party certifications (cruelty-free, clean beauty standards) are prominently claimed for this line. The brand has not faced major recalls related to this powder. No public commitment to talc phase-out or PFAS avoidance is documented.
How it compares in its category
Talc-based setting powders remain the industry standard; alternatives (starch, silica-dominant, or synthetic polymers) are less common in prestige makeup. This product sits squarely in conventional cosmetics without differentiation toward "clean" or transparent sourcing. Performance and stability are well-established for talc formulations, but inhalation risk is similar across the talc-powder category unless explicitly labeled talc-free.
If you buy it
Apply with a fluffy brush to minimize aerosolization and avoid inhaling powder clouds; do not open the compact in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces. Replace every 1-2 years or if the surface becomes sticky (sign of moisture infiltration or degradation). Store in a cool, dry place away from humidity. Consider using a mask during application if you have respiratory sensitivity; pregnant individuals should consult their physician given historical talc litigation, though cosmetic-grade talc is distinct from industrial talc.
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.”
Talc inhalation risk
Repeated inhalation of talc powder during application may pose a respiratory concern, particularly with heavy or daily use in poorly ventilated areas. This is a known exposure route for all talc-based cosmetics, though risk is low with typical application habits.
Silica (crystalline) respiratory exposure
Silica is often present as a co-ingredient in talc formulations to improve texture. Crystalline silica inhalation is classified as a respiratory hazard at occupational doses; cosmetic-use exposure is generally below concern thresholds but accumulates with frequent application.
Iron oxide pigments (heavy metals)
Iron oxides are approved colorants in cosmetics and are not bioavailable when applied topically. No heavy-metal contamination (lead, cadmium) has been reported in Make Up For Ever products in public records.
Talc ovarian cancer allegation (historical litigation context)
Talc-based powders have been the subject of lawsuits alleging ovarian cancer risk from genital application. Regulatory agencies (FDA, IARC) have not classified talc as a carcinogen at cosmetic doses, but the controversy persists; individual risk tolerance varies.
Formaldehyde releasers or preservatives
No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are listed in the disclosed ingredient panel for this product. Standard cosmetic preservatives (if present) are within regulatory limits.
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 pressed powder 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.