Urban Decay All Nighter · Beauty Primers & Setting Sprays
Urban Decay All Nighter Glow Setting Spray
Insufficient public data. Setting sprays often use water-resistant polymers; PFAS status unclear.
Urban Decay has not disclosed PFAS use or absence in this spray. Waterproof cosmetics sometimes contain fluorinated polymers, but brand transparency is absent. Lab testing would be needed for certainty.
The safe swap
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
liquid spray suspension with polymers and silicones
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Urban Decay All Nighter Glow is a liquid spray suspension containing silicones, film-forming polymers, and humectants designed to set makeup and extend wear. The 'glow' formula includes light-reflecting particles (likely mica or synthetic analogues) and hydrating agents. Water-resistant setting sprays often rely on synthetic polymers or silicone copolymers that may incorporate PFAS compounds to achieve durability, though Urban Decay has not disclosed the specific polymer chemistry or PFAS content of this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Decay is owned by Estee Lauder Companies, which does not publish ingredient-level disclosures or PFAS testing results for most prestige cosmetics lines. The brand has not faced major reported safety recalls or ingredient controversies for this specific product. Estee Lauder has signed some sustainability commitments but remains largely silent on PFAS and has not adopted PFAS-free commitments for makeup setting sprays or spray cosmetics specifically.
How it compares in its category
Setting sprays occupy a middle zone for ingredient transparency: less scrutinized than foundations or concealers, but formulations vary widely. Urban Decay is a prestige brand with higher formula cost, which sometimes correlates with stricter QA, but does not guarantee lower hazard profiles. Direct competitors (e.g., MAC Fix+, NYX Setting Spray) offer similar polymer-based formulas with similarly opaque PFAS disclosures. Water-based setting sprays marketed as 'clean' or 'PFAS-free' do exist but are less common in the prestige segment.
If you buy it
Apply from 8-12 inches from face to minimize inhalation of spray particles; do not inhale the mist directly. Use in well-ventilated areas to limit cumulative exposure to silicones and any volatile organics in the formulation. Replace bottle every 12-18 months or if the nozzle clogs or sprays unevenly, as degraded dispensers may alter particle size. If skin irritation develops, discontinue and consider patch-testing another product, as individual sensitivity to silicones or fragrance constituents varies.
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.”
1,4-dioxane or other solvent contaminants
Spray cosmetics may contain residual 1,4-dioxane from ethoxylated polymers used as emulsifiers or film-formers. Urban Decay does not publish solvent contaminant testing; the risk is speculative but consistent with the product category.
Inhalation exposure to spray particles and polymers
Setting sprays are inherently inhalable. Chronic inhalation of fine silicone and polymer particles is understudied in cosmetics, but occupational data on silicone dust suggests potential for respiratory irritation with repeated exposure in poorly ventilated spaces.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
The product lists 'fragrance' as an ingredient without specifying constituents. Fragrance mixes commonly trigger contact dermatitis and can include sensitizers like cinnamal or geraniol; individuals with fragrance sensitivity should avoid or patch-test.
Mica or synthetic particles: talc-like contamination
The product uses mica for light reflection rather than talc, so asbestos contamination risk is not a known concern for this formulation. Mica is generally well-tolerated topically and inhalation risk is low if applied externally away from mouth and nose.
Polymer coating buildup and skin irritation with daily use
Water-resistant polymers can accumulate on skin with daily application over weeks, potentially trapping moisture and irritating sensitive skin or exacerbating acne. No formal studies on this product; risk is inferred from the heavy silicone and polymer load typical of long-wear formulas.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.
Safer alternatives in Beauty Primers & Setting Sprays
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist
liquid spray formulation, water and glycerin base
Lower concern. Spray cosmetic with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer
Silicone, glycerin, water, pigments
Liquid cosmetic primer with lower PFAS concern, no red flags identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer and Finisher
silicones, talc, pigments, waxes
Lower concern; cosmetic primer with no known PFAS-prone ingredients.
⚠Risky category by default
More beauty primers & setting sprays 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.