Neutrogena · Makeup
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation
Lower concern; mineral powders rarely require PFAS, but brand transparency is absent.
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers is a loose mineral powder foundation with no known PFAS-linked coatings (no waterproofing, nonstick, or stain-resist claims). The primary ingredients, iron oxides, mica, and talc or silica, are mineral-based and do not typically require fluorinated treatments.
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mineral powder (iron oxides, mica, talc/silica blend)
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
Mineral Sheers is a talc-silica blend foundation with iron oxides (color) and mica (shimmer, light diffusion). Talc itself is inert and non-toxic at the concentrations used in cosmetics, but historical contamination with asbestos in raw talc ore was a documented industry problem, modern suppliers are tested, but FDA does not pre-approve talc sources, creating residual risk. Mica is chemically stable and safe. Iron oxides are approved colorants with no known toxicity in cosmetic use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena (Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) has no public record of PFAS-free or mineral-specific certifications for this line. The brand does not disclose talc sourcing or third-party asbestos testing results on product pages or safety documentation. J&J settled talc-related litigation in 2022 but Neutrogena products were not part of those claims. No FDA recalls or safety warnings exist for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Loose mineral powder foundations are generally lower-risk than liquid or cream foundations, which often contain preservatives, emulsifiers, and fragrance allergens. This product avoids common irritants like 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde releasers. However, brands like Bare Minerals and Physician's Formula publish more explicit talc sourcing and testing transparency, setting a higher standard that Neutrogena does not match.
If you buy it
Use a clean, dry brush to avoid moisture triggering bacterial growth in the loose powder. Do not inhale the powder during application; use in a well-ventilated space to minimize inhalation exposure (a general precaution for any loose powder, not unique to this product). Replace every 2-3 years or if the powder becomes moist or discolored. Store in a cool, dry place away from humidity.
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 contamination with asbestos
Historical asbestos contamination in talc ore is documented across the cosmetics industry. Neutrogena does not publish talc sourcing or third-party asbestos testing results, so current safety cannot be independently verified for this specific product.
Heavy metals in iron oxide pigments
Iron oxides are approved cosmetic colorants and regulated for purity. No recalls or safety reports exist for Neutrogena Mineral Sheers related to heavy metal contamination.
Fragrance allergens
This loose powder product does not list fragrance as a primary ingredient. If fragrance is present in minor amounts, it is not disclosed on the label, suggesting minimal risk for fragrance-related contact dermatitis.
Inhalation risk from loose powder form
Any loose powder foundation carries some inhalation risk during application if used in unventilated spaces. This is a product form issue, not specific to Neutrogena's formulation, but users should apply in ventilated areas to minimize exposure.
Mica mica worker safety (supply chain concern)
Mica mining in India and Madagascar has documented labor and health abuses, but this is a supply chain transparency issue rather than a product safety hazard. Neutrogena does not disclose mica sourcing practices.
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.