75/ 100
C
OverallF63/100
Urban Decay | Vice Lipstick | Shade: Acai | Finish: Cream | 0.11 ONZ

Urban Decay Vice · Lipstick

Urban Decay | Vice Lipstick | Shade: Acai | Finish: Cream | 0.11 ONZ

C · Moderate

Lower concern for typical cream lipstick; no known PFAS triggers in standard formulation.

Verdict: BuyCream lipstick with standard pigment/wax formulation; no established heavy-metal or formaldehyde hazards on record for this shade or brand line.

Urban Decay Vice lipsticks are conventional cream formulations without waterproofing claims or nonstick coatings that would warrant PFAS. The brand does not disclose PFAS testing or make PFAS-free claims.

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Material

Wax, oils, pigments, binders (typical cream lipstick formulation)

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.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in cream finish is a conventional wax-based formulation combining natural and synthetic waxes, emollient oils, and iron oxide or organic colorants to achieve the Acai shade. Cream finishes typically contain higher oil content than matte formulas, reducing skin-contact irritation risk from dry, friction-prone coating degradation. The wax matrix is generally non-occlusive on lips and does not accumulate systemically with normal use.

The brand's record and disclosure

Urban Decay is part of the Estée Lauder Companies portfolio and maintains ingredient transparency via online product pages and the Estée Lauder brand standards, though full third-party certification (e.g., EWG verification or Clean Beauty) is not advertised for this line. No published recalls or regulatory warnings for Vice Lipstick have been issued by the FDA or international authorities. The parent company does not publicly prioritize heavy-metal testing or formaldehyde-free claims as a brand differentiator.

How it compares in its category

Conventional cream lipsticks from mid-to-premium brands (MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Nars, Clinique) follow the same basic wax-oil-pigment chemistry; Urban Decay Vice sits in the mainstream safety profile for this category. Indie and clean-beauty alternatives (like Ilia, Tarte) often highlight third-party testing or organic wax sourcing, but cost more. Colorant sourcing and heavy-metal limits are not a differentiator among major brands; standard cosmetic regulations apply equally.

If you buy it

Store at room temperature away from direct heat to prevent wax bloom or separation. Replace after 12 months of regular use or if odor, color separation, or texture changes appear, as lipstick can accumulate bacteria if applicator is not wiped clean. Do not apply over lip wounds or severe inflammation. Patch test on a small lip area if you have a history of fragrance or dye sensitivity, as some shades may contain synthetic colorants or fragrance compounds.

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.”

None known

Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, arsenic)

No established recalls or test failures for Urban Decay Vice lipstick on record. Standard cosmetic regulations cap lead <0.1 ppm in color additives; cream lipstick formulations are not known to concentrate metals beyond regulatory thresholds.

None known

Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

Lipstick preservative systems typically use parabens, sorbates, or phenoxyethanol rather than formaldehyde releasers. No published testing or disclosure suggests Vice uses formaldehyde-generating compounds.

Possible

Fragrance allergens and undisclosed synthetic fragrance components

Urban Decay does not explicitly list fragrance ingredients on product labels (only 'fragrance' or 'parfum'); cream formulas often contain flavor/fragrance oils. Individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity should verify ingredient list online or contact the brand before purchase.

Possible

Colorant sensitivity or contact dermatitis from synthetic dyes

Acai shade likely uses iron oxides or FD&C-approved synthetic colorants; sensitivity is rare but possible in individuals with azo dye or synthetic-pigment reactivity. No brand-specific incident reports are on file.

Possible

Bacterial contamination from applicator or storage

Cream lipstick applicators (pencil or bullet) contact lips directly; poor hygiene or extended storage at elevated temperatures can allow bacterial colonization. Not a manufacturing defect but a user-maintenance risk.

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 lipstick 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.