Neutrogena · Makeup
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector
Lower concern, conventional cosmetic with no known PFAS-prone features, but brand silence limits certainty.
Neutrogena's Anti-Aging Perfector is a water-based liquid cosmetic without waterproof claims, silicone coatings, or nonstick treatments that typically contain PFAS. Neutrogena and parent company Johnson & Johnson have not publicly disclosed PFAS presence or absence in this product.
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Liquid cosmetic cream (water, glycerin, silicones, pigments)
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
This is a water-based liquid cream foundation combining glycerin as a humectant, silicones (likely dimethicone) for slip and wear, and iron oxide or synthetic pigments for color. The silicone backbone is chemically inert once applied to skin and does not degrade or leach under normal use. Glycerin and water are cosmetic staples with decades of safety history; they pose no established hazard at the concentrations typical in foundations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena is owned by Johnson & Johnson, a company with mandatory cosmetic ingredient disclosure under FDA rules. The brand has not faced recalls or safety actions specific to this product line. However, Neutrogena (like most mainstream brands) does not voluntarily disclose PFAS testing or absence claims, limiting independent verification of water-repellent additive use. No dermatological controversies are documented for this specific formulation.
How it compares in its category
Liquid foundations are among the most straightforward cosmetic products: they require minimal preservatives compared to creams, avoid baked pigments that can concentrate heavy metals, and do not rely on talc. This product sits in the mainstream-safe tier of foundations. Alternatives using mineral-only pigments or certified organic bases may appeal to precaution-seekers, but this formulation does not present a marked disadvantage in a typical cosmetics safety ranking.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; do not expose to heat above 40C (104F), as silicone-based liquids can separate. Replace after 12 months or if odor, color shift, or separation occurs, indicating preservative degradation. Patch-test on inner arm if you have fragrance sensitivities or reactive skin; this product is fragrance-free but contains glycerin, which can irritate if applied to broken skin. Wash applicators weekly to prevent bacterial colonization.
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 iron oxide pigments
Synthetic iron oxides (red, yellow, black) used in foundations are regulated but can carry trace lead or cadmium depending on supplier. Neutrogena does not publish pigment sourcing data. Skin absorption of topical foundation pigments is minimal, but long-term daily contact warrants awareness.
Fragrance allergens (low priority)
This product is labeled fragrance-free, removing a common irritant vector. No essential oils or fragrance compounds are listed in the standard formula.
Preservative toxicity (parabens, methylisothiazolinone, etc.)
Liquid cosmetics require preservatives; Neutrogena typically uses parabens or similar agents at dilute, cosmetically regulated levels. No recall or adverse event cluster is on record. Individual sensitization is possible but rare at standard formulation concentrations.
Silicone accumulation on skin
Dimethicone and other cyclic siloxanes are not absorbed through skin and wash off with cleanser. No established bioaccumulation or systemic toxicity from topical cosmetic use. Some individuals report subjective clogging; this is cosmetic irritation, not toxicological hazard.
Contamination during manufacturing or storage
As a mainstream brand under FDA oversight, Neutrogena products are subject to GMP inspection, but no brand is immune to sporadic contamination. Batch lot numbers on packaging allow tracing. Purchase from authorized retailers to minimize counterfeit risk.
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 makeup 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.