Maybelline
Maybelline was founded in 1915 by Thomas Lyle Williams, who created the brand's first product — a mascara inspired by his sister Mabel's beauty routine. The brand was acquired by L'Oréal in 1996 and is now one of the world's largest cosmetics companies. Maybelline's lip product line includes lipsticks, glosses, and lip liners sold at mass-market price points. Many Maybelline lip products contain synthetic dyes like D&C Red 6, D&C Red 7, and FD&C Red 40, along with petroleum-derived ingredients, BHT, and synthetic fragrances. As one of the most purchased cosmetics brands globally, Maybelline's ingredient choices expose an enormous consumer base to these chemicals on a daily basis.
Products Analyzed
Flagged Ingredients Found
Who Owns Maybelline?
Big Corp SubsidiaryParent Company
L'Oreal(OR.PA)
Parent Industry
Beauty & Cosmetics
Parent Revenue
Approximately $42 billion (2024)
Acquired
1996
Also Makes
L'Oreal acquired Maybelline in 1996. L'Oreal is the world's largest beauty company, owning over 35 brands across mass-market, luxury, professional, and active cosmetics divisions.
Corporate ownership does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. It means ingredient and sourcing decisions are influenced by a parent company whose primary business is beauty & cosmetics. Consumers deserve to know who profits from their purchases.
Products by Maybelline
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink
Maybelline
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Organic Lip Balm
Maybelline Color Sensational
Maybelline
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Organic Lip Balm
Maybelline Lifter Gloss
Maybelline
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Organic Lip Balm
Maybelline Baby Lips
Maybelline
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Organic Lip Balm
Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink
Maybelline
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Organic Lip Balm
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Flagged Ingredients in Maybelline Products
We found 12 different ingredients of concern across Maybelline's product line. Each one links to a full safety analysis with details on health risks, regulatory status, and which other brands use the same ingredient.
Synthetic Fragrance
An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Under US law, companies are not required to list individual fragrance components, which may include phthalates, musks, allergens, and sensitizers.
Petroleum / Petrolatum
A semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining. Widely used as a moisture barrier in lip balms, lotions, and ointments. When inadequately refined, it can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to cancer.
Octinoxate
A chemical UV filter used in sunscreens and SPF cosmetics. It absorbs UVB radiation and is one of the most common sunscreen ingredients worldwide. Like oxybenzone, it is an endocrine disruptor and harmful to coral reefs.
Artificial Colors
Synthetic dyes derived from petroleum or coal tar, used to give cosmetics vivid colors. Many are contaminated with heavy metals and have been linked to behavioral issues, allergies, and potential carcinogenicity.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds)
A family of petroleum-derived compounds used as emulsifiers, thickeners, solvents, and penetration enhancers. PEGs themselves are relatively low-toxicity, but they are frequently contaminated with ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) and 1,4-dioxane.
Paraffin Wax
A white or colorless soft solid wax derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. Commonly used in lip balms, lipsticks, and candles to add structure and a smooth texture.
Octisalate
A chemical UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation and is commonly used as a secondary sunscreen agent to boost SPF values. Octisalate also acts as a solvent for other UV filters like avobenzone.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
A synthetic antioxidant closely related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation in cosmetics and food. Less studied than BHA but shares some endocrine disruption concerns.
Dimethicone
A silicone-based polymer widely used in cosmetics and skincare for its smoothing, water-repellent properties. Not toxic in itself, but creates a synthetic barrier that can trap impurities, clog pores, and is not biodegradable.
Phenoxyethanol
A glycol ether used as a preservative in cosmetics, often marketed as a 'safer' alternative to parabens. At regulated concentrations (up to 1%), it is generally well tolerated, but higher concentrations can cause irritation and are toxic to infants.
Lanolin
A natural waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep to waterproof their wool. Lanolin is an excellent emollient used in lip balms, nipple creams, and moisturizers, but it is a common allergen and may contain pesticide residues from sheep dipping.
Polybutene
A synthetic polymer derived from petroleum, used as a thickener, binder, and viscosity-increasing agent in lip glosses, lipsticks, and other cosmetics. Polybutene has low direct toxicity but is a petroleum-derived synthetic with environmental persistence concerns.
