Urban Decay All Nighter · Beauty Primers & Setting Sprays
Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
Waterproof cosmetic spray with unknown PFAS risk. Transparency lacking.
Urban Decay does not disclose PFAS or water-resistant treatment chemistry for this setting spray. Waterproof cosmetics often contain PFAS-based durable water repellents, but without brand transparency or independent testing, risk level cannot be confirmed.
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 with waterproofing agents, propellant
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 is a liquid spray formulation designed to lock makeup in place, typically containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as carriers, silicone polymers for adhesion, film-formers (often acrylates), and waterproofing agents. The waterproofing function almost certainly involves either Teflon-type coating-based compounds or fluorinated polymers, though Urban Decay does not publicly specify which. The propellant system and volatile solvents allow rapid evaporation, creating an invisible film on skin.
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Decay (owned by Estee Lauder Companies) has not published ingredient transparency reports or PFAS commitments as of public record. The brand does not list individual spray propellants or fluorinated water-resistance agents on marketing materials. Urban Decay products have not appeared in major consumer safety recalls related to heavy metals or formaldehyde, but the company's silence on PFAS content in waterproof formulations is notable given industry awareness of fluorinated water-repellent chemistry since the mid-2010s.
How it compares in its category
Setting sprays as a category carry inherent PFAS and VOC exposure because waterproofing typically relies on fluorinated chemistry. Urban Decay All Nighter is mainstream and widely tested by users, with no documented complaints of acute toxicity or allergic reactions tied to non-PFAS ingredients. Water-based or PFAS-free setting alternatives exist (e.g., e.l.f. products, some indie brands) but are less popular; conventional silicone-based sprays like MAC Fix+ avoid waterproofing claims and thus avoid fluorinated additives.
If you buy it
Patch test on a small facial area first, as propellant solvents can irritate sensitive or compromised skin. Use in well-ventilated spaces to minimize VOC inhalation; do not spray near eyes or mouth. Store upright in a cool place; do not expose to heat or puncture. Replace every 12-18 months regardless of remaining product, as propellant systems degrade and separation can occur, reducing efficacy and increasing skin irritation risk.
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.”
Formaldehyde releasers / preservatives
Waterproof liquid cosmetics commonly use preservative systems (e.g., methylisothiazolinone, parabens, or formaldehyde donors) to prevent microbial growth in the spray tank. Urban Decay does not disclose preservative choice on labels; testing by third parties has not flagged this product for excess formaldehyde, but absence of evidence is not confirmation of safety.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) / solvent exposure
Setting sprays inherently contain alcohols, cyclomethicone, or other volatile solvents to enable spray delivery and rapid drying. Inhalation during application in poorly ventilated bathrooms can accumulate exposure; Urban Decay does not provide VOC concentrations. Pregnant users or those with respiratory sensitivities should consult healthcare providers before regular use.
Allergic contact dermatitis from fragrance or solvents
Urban Decay All Nighter contains fragrance (listed generically on ingredient declaration). Fragrance allergens and the propellant/solvent blend can trigger contact dermatitis, especially in users with compromised skin barriers or pre-existing sensitivities. No large-scale allergic reaction recalls are on record, but individual sensitivity variation is high.
Heavy metals in pigments or colorants
All Nighter is a clear or translucent spray with minimal pigmentation, reducing likelihood of heavy metal contaminants from synthetic dyes. No recalls or testing data have flagged heavy metals in Urban Decay setting sprays as a concern.
Aerosolized microparticle inhalation
Spray delivery mechanism creates aerosolized droplets that can be inhaled into lower respiratory tract, carrying silicone polymers, film-formers, and volatile solvents. Long-term inhalation safety data for cosmetic sprays is limited; users with asthma or chronic lung conditions should apply in outdoor or highly ventilated settings only.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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.