MAC || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

BRAND: MAC

Manufacturer: Estée Lauder

BRAND SUMMARY

product score range	4	to	6
product count	147 (browse)
ingredient count	48
(why scores have changed)

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-signer: This company has not signed the Compact.

Animal Testing Policy
This company does not test on animals.

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to one or more ingredients used by this brand -- not the products -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

Ingredients used by this brand:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Violations, restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Other concerns for ingredients used by this brand: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

See all 147 products by MAC

Product type(s) by this brand in Skin Deep: concealer (1), foundation (1), sunscreen: makeup (1)

ingredients

	score	data gap	products *	concerns
METHYLPARABEN	10	63%	1 products	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Biochemical or cellular level changes
OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)	6	65%	1 products	Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
LECITHIN	3	70%	1 products	Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
BHT	6	61%	1 products	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
ETHYLPARABEN	5	80%	1 products	Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
PROPYLPARABEN	5	71%	1 products	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
RETINYL PALMITATE	5	68%	1 products	Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes
MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE	4	88%	2 products	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)	1	81%	2 products	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE	4	81%	1 products	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
PHENOXYETHANOL	4	67%	2 products	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS	3	86%	2 products	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards
TALC	3	86%	1 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ASBESTIFORM FIBERS), Occupational hazards
DISODIUM EDTA	3	78%	2 products	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption
MICA	3	75%	1 products	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
DIMETHICONE	2	74%	1 products	Violations, restrictions & warnings
ULTRAMARINES	2	90%	1 products	Multiple, additive exposure sources
POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE	1	89%	1 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
TOCOPHEROL	2	87%	1 products	Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
IRON OXIDES	2	85%	2 products	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption
POLYPERFLUOROMETHYLISOPROPYL ETHER	2	80%	1 products	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Contamination concerns (PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ACID)
KAOLIN	1	79%	1 products	Occupational hazards
TEA STEARATE	2	75%	2 products	Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
HYDROGENATED LECITHIN	2	74%	1 products	Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
STEARIC ACID	2	74%	1 products	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
PHENYL TRIMETHICONE	0	93%	1 products	none identified
POLYSORBATE-85	1	93%	1 products	none identified
POLYBUTENE	1	92%	1 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE	1	89%	1 products	none identified
STEARETH-21	1	89%	1 products	none identified
ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE)	1	88%	1 products	none identified
PROPYLENE GLYCOL STEARATE	1	88%	1 products	none identified
STEARETH-2	1	88%	1 products	none identified
CETYL ALCOHOL	1	87%	1 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
PANTETHINE	1	87%	1 products	none identified
STEARYL ALCOHOL	1	84%	2 products	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
CELLULOSE GUM	1	80%	1 products	none identified
BUTYLENE GLYCOL	1	79%	2 products	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
GLYCERYL DILAURATE	1	74%	1 products	none identified
HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE	0	100%	1 products	none identified
POLYDECENE	0	100%	1 products	none identified
TEA ISOSTEARATE	0	100%	1 products	none identified
CAPRYLIC TRIGLYCERIDE	0	99%	1 products	none identified
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER)	0	94%	1 products	none identified
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL	0	94%	1 products	none identified
XANTHAN GUM	0	94%	1 products	none identified
CETYL ESTERS	0	93%	1 products	none identified
WATER	0	0%	2 products	innocuous

* Product counts only include current formulations sold by this brand. The brand may have other discontinued formulations that use this ingredient. Clicking on the link "X products" will identify all product formulations by this brand that have used the ingredient.

Cancer*

*This table includes all possible cancer concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Limited evidence of carcinogenicity	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen		BHT, CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humans		STEARIC ACID
Cancer - limited evidence		RETINYL PALMITATE
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, TOCOPHEROL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results		PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses		CELLULOSE GUM, STEARYL ALCOHOL

Developmental/reproductive toxicity*

*This table includes all possible developmental/reproductive toxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence		MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE
One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses		PROPYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at low doses		RETINYL PALMITATE
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		CELLULOSE GUM, PANTETHINE,
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses		BHT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLPARABEN, KAOLIN

Violations, restrictions & warnings*

*This table includes all possible violations, restrictions & warnings concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics		METHYLPARABEN
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)		PHENOXYETHANOL
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit)	products for use around the eyes; products for use on the lips	OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics		RETINYL PALMITATE
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel		DIMETHICONE
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications		GLYCERYL DILAURATE, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, LECITHIN, TEA STEARATE

Neurotoxicity*

*This table includes all possible neurotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity		MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at very low doses		STEARIC ACID
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses		BHT, DISODIUM EDTA
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		KAOLIN, LECITHIN, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		BUTYLENE GLYCOL, RETINYL PALMITATE, ULTRAMARINES

Endocrine disruption*

*This table includes all possible endocrine disruption concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Human any disruptor - strong evidence		ETHYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), PROPYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses		BHT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DISODIUM EDTA

Allergies/immunotoxicity*

*This table includes all possible allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Known human immune system toxicant		BHT
Human immune and respiratory toxicant - strong evidence	AND products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	LECITHIN
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		ETHYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
One or more animal studies show immune effects at low doses	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
One or more human case studies show possible photoallergic effects		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity		PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at moderate doses		MICA

Persistence and bioaccumulation*

*This table includes all possible persistence and bioaccumulation concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans		MICA, POLYPERFLUOROMETHYLISOPROPYL ETHER, IRON OXIDES
Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Not suspected to be persistent		ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLPARABEN, GLYCERYL DILAURATE, LECITHIN, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL STEARATE, PROPYLPARABEN, RETINYL PALMITATE, STEARIC ACID, STEARYL ALCOHOL, TEA STEARATE, STEARETH-2, STEARETH-21
Not suspected to be persistent		CETYL ALCOHOL
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative		BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, KAOLIN, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, TOCOPHEROL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, WATER
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative		CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, TALC, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), POLYBUTENE

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)*

*This table includes all possible organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Known human any toxicant		METHYLPARABEN
Possible human respiratory toxicant		MICA
One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at very low doses	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	STEARIC ACID, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses		DISODIUM EDTA,
One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at low doses	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	BHT
Limited evidence of any toxicity		MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE
Limited evidence of respiratory toxicity	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	KAOLIN, TALC
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity		ETHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, RETINYL PALMITATE
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, PROPYLENE GLYCOL STEARATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, STEARETH-2, STEARETH-21,
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, CELLULOSE GUM, PANTETHINE, ULTRAMARINES,
One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful		DIMETHICONE
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful		POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, POLYBUTENE
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful		BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER), CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CETYL ESTERS, GLYCERYL DILAURATE, LECITHIN, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, POLYPERFLUOROMETHYLISOPROPYL ETHER, POLYSORBATE-85, IRON OXIDES, TEA STEARATE, TOCOPHEROL, WATER, XANTHAN GUM

Multiple, additive exposure sources*

*This table includes all possible multiple, additive exposure sources concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available		LECITHIN, ULTRAMARINES
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food		ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), BHT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CELLULOSE GUM, CETYL ALCOHOL, DIMETHICONE, DISODIUM EDTA, LECITHIN, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL STEARATE, PROPYLPARABEN, RETINYL PALMITATE, STEARIC ACID, STEARYL ALCOHOL, IRON OXIDES, TALC, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), TOCOPHEROL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, XANTHAN GUM

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)*

*This table includes all possible irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Classified as irritant		PHENOXYETHANOL
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	BUTYLENE GLYCOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, POLYBUTENE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses		CETYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show significant but moderate pulmonary irritation at low doses	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		BHT, METHYLPARABEN, STEARIC ACID
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses		POLYSORBATE-85, TALC

Occupational hazards*

*This table includes all possible occupational hazards concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), PHENOXYETHANOL
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		BHT, CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, KAOLIN, MICA, TALC
No workplace limits set	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE

Biochemical or cellular level changes*

*This table includes all possible biochemical or cellular level changes concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show respiratory changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		BHT
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		CELLULOSE GUM
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		RETINYL PALMITATE, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Interferes with gene expresion		METHYLPARABEN