Pacifica · Waterproof Mascara
Elate Essential Mascara
Lower concern for PFAS, but no public commitment from brand.
Elate Essential Mascara is a standard mascara formula with no known use of Teflon-type coating, Teflon-family coating, or waterproofing water-repellent coating treatments that typically introduce PFAS. Pacifica has not made public PFAS disclosures or claims for this product.
Shop Pacifica on Amazon →Material
wax, pigments, polymers (typical mascara 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
Elate Essential Mascara is a typical waterproof mascara built on wax (often carnauba or beeswax) combined with film-forming polymers and iron oxide pigments for color and wear. Waterproof mascaras rely on hydrophobic polymers to resist moisture, which is safe chemistry but requires solvent-based removers to prevent lash damage. Pacifica's formulation does not appear to use Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or silicone oils that trigger concerns in some sensitive users, favoring plant waxes instead.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pacifica markets itself as a clean beauty brand emphasizing plant-derived ingredients and cruelty-free status, but maintains silence on PFAS use or testing. The brand holds no third-party certifications (e.g., Made Safe, EWG Verified) for mascara, limiting independent verification of claims. No recalls or formal safety controversies are on record for this specific product or Pacifica's mascara line.
How it compares in its category
Elate Essential sits in the mid-tier clean beauty segment, formulated to avoid synthetic polymers and microplastics found in conventional drugstore waterproof mascaras. Most waterproof mascaras (Maybelline, L'Oreal) carry higher PFAS concern; Pacifica's plant-wax base is a safer default. However, competitors like Kosas or Ilia offer comparable safety profiles with greater transparency on ingredient sourcing.
If you buy it
Remove with a gentle oil-based cleanser or micellar water to avoid tugging and lash breakage; waterproof formulas do not dissolve in water alone. Replace every three months after opening to prevent bacterial growth in the wet product. If you experience eye irritation, patch-test on skin first, as iron oxide pigments occasionally trigger sensitivity in those with reactive skin or contact lens wear.
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 iron oxide pigments
Iron oxide pigments used for black mascara color are approved cosmetic colorants with strict purity limits; no contamination reports exist for Pacifica mascaras. Regulatory compliance in the US and EU makes heavy metal risk minimal for this product.
Formaldehyde releasers or preservative allergens
Waterproof mascara formulas typically use preservatives such as phenoxyethanol or methylisothiazolinone to prevent microbial growth in the wet product. Pacifica does not disclose its preservative system publicly; contact lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes may react, though this is not a known issue specific to this brand.
Eye irritation from polymer or fragrance
Mascaras are applied directly to the eyelid and lash line, a sensitive mucous membrane. Pacifica's plant-derived polymers are gentler than acrylic copolymers in conventional brands, but fragrance additives (common in Pacifica's clean beauty ethos) can irritate eyes if they migrate into the eye itself during wear.
Microplastics or synthetic microbeads
Pacifica explicitly avoids microplastic spheres in its mascara formulation. Plant wax bases do not shed microplastics during removal, unlike some conventional waterproof formulas that contain plastic polymers.
Talc or talc-like mineral contamination
Mascara formulations rarely use talc; Pacifica's plant-wax base does not require talc as a flow agent. No established risk for this product category or brand.
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 waterproof mascara 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.