Tarte · BB Cream
Tarte Amazonian Clay Cloudberry Tinted Serum with Brush
Lower PFAS concern for the serum itself; brush composition unclear, likely safe but unconfirmed.
This tinted serum is a water-based liquid cosmetic with no established PFAS risk profile in its formulation. The brush included is unspecified in material (likely synthetic bristles or wood handle), which creates minor uncertainty.
Shop Tarte on Amazon →Material
Water-based serum (liquid cosmetic); brush handle material unspecified
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 serum BB cream, meaning the primary vehicle is water with emulsifiers, silicones, and pigments suspended throughout. Water-based formulations carry lower risk of volatile organic compounds compared to solvent-heavy formulas, though pigment sourcing and any azo dyes used in colorant production warrant attention. The brush handle material is not specified in available product information, so polymer or wood composition cannot be confirmed; this affects potential leachable concerns from the handle itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tarte does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party safety testing results on their website, and the brand has remained silent on PFAS use in cosmetic formulations. The company has not faced major recalls or regulatory actions tied to heavy metals, formaldehyde releasers, or talc contamination in recent years. However, the lack of proactive transparency on chemical safety means consumers cannot independently verify manufacturing standards beyond label claims.
How it compares in its category
BB creams as a category carry lower inherent risk than powder foundations or heavy cream formulas because they are water-based and contain fewer binding agents that require formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. This Tarte product is typical for the mid-market premium segment; it lacks third-party certifications like Clean Beauty or EWG verification that some competitors (e.g., Beautycounter, Glossier) advertise. Price point and ingredient transparency are comparable to other cult-favorite brands in the same tier.
If you buy it
Store the tube or bottle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent degradation of emulsifiers and preserve preservative efficacy. Do not expose the product to temperatures above 25°C (77°F) for extended periods, as heat can destabilize water-based formulations and potentially alter pigment behavior. Replace the product every 6-12 months after opening, even if product remains, to prevent bacterial or mold growth in the water-rich base. If you experience irritation, discontinue use and patch-test on a small area before reapplication.
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 (iron oxides, titanium dioxide, mica)
No recalls or test data publicly available for this specific product; water-based BB creams typically use FDA-approved colorants, but independent verification of lead or cadmium in batch-specific pigments is absent from public records.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Water-based serums generally require milder preservation systems than cream foundations; no evidence of formaldehyde releasers like imidazolidinyl urea listed in widely available ingredient data for this product.
Talc contamination (asbestos risk)
This is a liquid serum, not a powder product, so talc-based minerals are unlikely; however, some BB creams include mineral mica or silicates that could theoretically carry mineral impurities if not refined to cosmetic grade. No specific talc contamination warnings exist for Tarte products.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance chemicals
Product name includes Cloudberry scent, implying fragrance addition; fragrance is typically a proprietary blend and may contain sensitizing compounds like limonene or linalool not individually listed. Consumers with fragrance sensitivity should perform a patch test.
Brush handle material leachables (if synthetic polymer)
Brush composition is not disclosed; if handle is plastic or resin, potential for phthalates or BPA leaching into the serum over time exists, though risk is low if product does not directly contact bristles frequently or if plastic is cosmetic-grade.
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 bb cream 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.