Physicians Formula · Makeup
Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer
Lower PFAS concern; typical cosmetic with no red flags, but no transparency claim.
Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! is a standard cream/liquid foundation with no known PFAS-prone features (no water-resistance treatment, nonstick coating, or heavy stain protection). The brand makes no public PFAS disclosure or claims.
Shop Physicians Formula on Amazon →Material
Pigments, oils, waxes, silicones in liquid/powder foundation
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 liquid-to-powder hybrid foundation using pigments (iron oxides, titanium dioxide), silicones (dimethicone), oils, and waxes as carriers and binders. The silicone base is common in modern foundations and serves to smooth texture and improve wear. Pigments are inorganic and generally stable; no heavy-metal concerns are typical for major US cosmetic lines. The combination of oils and silicones is standard in this product class and poses no inherent hazard when applied topically to skin.
The brand's record and disclosure
Physicians Formula is owned by Estee Lauder and operates under FDA cosmetic guidelines with no major safety recalls or controversies on record for this specific product line. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party testing results publicly, which is typical for mass-market cosmetics but falls short of transparency leaders. No formal certifications (cruelty-free, organic, etc.) are prominently claimed for this foundation. Standard cosmetic safety oversight applies; no known pattern of quality issues.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mid-market mainstream segment. Formulations similar to this (silicone + pigment bases) are ubiquitous and generally regarded as safe when used as directed. Premium alternatives may offer better ingredient transparency or third-party testing claims; drugstore competitors typically use nearly identical chemistry. No material safety advantage or disadvantage versus category peers is evident from available data.
If you buy it
Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, moisturized skin with a brush or sponge; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve pigment stability and prevent separation. Replace every 6 to 12 months or if you notice color shift, separation, or odor change. No special heat precautions are needed for typical indoor use; do not apply near open flame or high heat sources.
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 pigments (lead, cadmium, arsenic)
Iron oxides and titanium dioxide used in US cosmetics are regulated by FDA and typically do not contain detectable lead or cadmium. No recalls or test failures are on record for Physicians Formula foundations. Risk is minimal under normal use (topical application).
1,4-dioxane (industrial byproduct in surfactants)
This ingredient is not typically listed on cosmetic labels but can be a trace contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants or emulsifiers. Physicians Formula does not publicly disclose testing for 1,4-dioxane. Industry standard practice does not eliminate it completely, but concentration in finished cosmetics is generally low and dermal absorption is minimal.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative systems)
Modern cosmetics regulations in the US severely restrict formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. This product's ingredient list does not visibly include them. If present in trace amounts via legacy preservatives, the risk is negligible in a rinse-off or wear-off foundation.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
If the product contains fragrance (not confirmed in public ingredient disclosure), individual sensitization to specific fragrance notes is possible. The term 'fragrance' or 'parfum' can mask 30+ unlisted components. Patch test if you have sensitive skin or perfume sensitivities.
Silicone accumulation on skin over prolonged use
No established safety hazard exists from topical silicone accumulation in cosmetics applied and removed daily. Dimethicone is non-toxic and non-bioaccumulative. Standard cleansing removes product residue; no special care is required.
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.