Physicians Formula · Makeup
Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer
Lower PFAS concern for a conventional cosmetic; no red flags, but no transparency either.
Butter Believe It! is a standard cream foundation-concealer hybrid with no known PFAS-prone features (not waterproof, not marketed with water/stain resistance). Physicians Formula does not disclose PFAS use or avoidance. No independent lab testing or PFAS-free certification found in public sources. Standard cosmetic risk profile applies.
Shop Physicians Formula on Amazon →Material
liquid foundation/concealer with pigments, polymers, silicones
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
Butter Believe It is a liquid foundation-concealer hybrid formulated with silicones, polymers (likely acrylates or film-formers), iron oxides, and titanium dioxide pigments. Silicone bases are chemically stable and rarely leach; the main exposure pathway is skin contact and inhalation of spray application (if applicable). Pigments in cosmetics are regulated but can occasionally contain trace heavy metals, though FDA-approved colorants used in major brands carry low contamination risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Physicians Formula is owned by Estée Lauder Companies and markets itself as dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or commitment to PFAS reduction, which is typical for mainstream cosmetic lines. No major safety recalls or documented controversies specific to this product line are on record; the brand has not faced significant regulatory action for heavy metals or fragrance allergen violations.
How it compares in its category
Liquid foundations are among the safest makeup categories because they contain no volatile solvents at skin-contact concentrations and bypass ingestion pathways. Physicians Formula's formulation sits in the middle-market safety range: not certified organic or heavily tested, but not using known problem ingredients like talc or high-allergen fragrance blends. Comparable brands (e.g., MAC, Clinique, Revlon) have similar regulatory profiles and PFAS transparency gaps.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, dry skin and avoid inhalation during spray application if the product includes an aerosol component. Replace every 12 months or when separation or odor change occurs, as cosmetics lack preservative systems that last indefinitely. If you have sensitive skin or fragrance allergies, test on a small patch first; patch-test results are not provided on the label, so assume standard cosmetic allergen risk. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent pigment settling or polymer degradation.
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 and titanium dioxide pigments
FDA-approved colorants in cosmetics are subject to purity testing, and no specific contamination has been reported for Physicians Formula products. Risk of lead, cadmium, or arsenic residues is low but cannot be ruled out without independent testing of each batch.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
The product formula likely contains fragrance compounds listed as 'fragrance' or 'parfum' without ingredient breakdown. Common cosmetic fragrance allergens (limonene, linalool, citral) can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; Physicians Formula does not provide fragrance component transparency.
1,4-dioxane (solvent/processing contaminant)
1,4-dioxane is a known contaminant in cosmetics with ethoxylated ingredients (PEG compounds, polysorbates). No specific testing or recall data exists for Butter Believe It, and the product's stated silicone and polymer base suggests lower risk than water-based formulas.
Contact dermatitis or sensitization from polymers or silicones
Silicones and acrylate polymers are generally well-tolerated but can cause reactions in individuals with prior sensitization or compromised skin barrier. The product is labeled hypoallergenic, but this is self-regulated; patch testing is recommended for eczema-prone users.
Microplastic shedding from polymer film-formers
Acrylate and silicone polymers in foundation do not shed microplastics during normal skin application. Risk is limited to rinse-off phase, where particles are too large to be systemically absorbed; no environmental or health impact on record for this product category.
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.