— Free U.S. shipping over $36— USDA Certified Organic— Made in the USA— 4 ingredients. No compromises.— 30-day money-back guarantee— Free U.S. shipping over $36— USDA Certified Organic— Made in the USA— 4 ingredients. No compromises.— 30-day money-back guarantee— Free U.S. shipping over $36— USDA Certified Organic— Made in the USA— 4 ingredients. No compromises.— 30-day money-back guarantee
Home/Brand Safety/MAC
Brand safety report

MAC.

Ingredient safety analysis based on 5 products in our database.

Safety Score

6.2/10

Products

5

Flagged Ingredients

6

The report

Full breakdown.

MAC

Toronto, CanadaFounded 1984
Safety Score6.2/10Fair

MAC (Make-Up Art Cosmetics) was founded in 1984 by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo in Toronto, Canada, originally creating products for professional makeup artists. The brand was acquired by Estée Lauder Companies in 1998 and has since become one of the world's leading prestige cosmetics brands. MAC is renowned for its extensive shade range and professional-quality formulas, particularly its lipsticks. However, MAC lip products typically contain synthetic dyes, petroleum-derived ingredients, BHA, parabens, and fragrance compounds. The brand's professional credibility and cult following mean consumers often trust MAC's ingredient choices without scrutiny, despite the conventional chemical formulations.

Products Analyzed

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick7/10
MAC Lustreglass Lipstick5/10
MAC Lipglass8/10
MAC Matte Lipstick (Russian Red)7/10
MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick4/10

Flagged Ingredients Found

artificial colors(in 4 products)polyethylene glycol(in 2 products)phenoxyethanol(in 2 products)bismuth oxychloride(in 2 products)polybutenedimethicone
Compare with Numbrrrz

Who Owns MAC?

Big Corp Subsidiary

Parent Company

The Estee Lauder Companies(EL)

Parent Industry

Prestige Beauty

Parent Revenue

Approximately $15.9 billion (2024)

Acquired

1998

Also Makes

CliniqueBobbi BrownLa MerTom Ford BeautyOrigins

Estee Lauder acquired the remaining shares of MAC in 1998. The Estee Lauder Companies is one of the world's largest prestige beauty conglomerates, still controlled by the Lauder family.

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 prestige beauty. Consumers deserve to know who profits from their purchases.

The line

Products by MAC.

View full ingredient analysis →
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick

MAC

Ingredients28
Flagged1
Safety Score7/10
artificial colors
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
MAC Lustreglass Lipstick

MAC Lustreglass Lipstick

MAC

Ingredients31
Flagged5
Safety Score5/10
polyethylene glycolpolybutenephenoxyethanol
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
MAC Lipglass

MAC Lipglass

MAC

Ingredients4
Flagged1
Safety Score8/10
phenoxyethanol
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
MAC Matte Lipstick (Russian Red)

MAC Matte Lipstick (Russian Red)

MAC

Ingredients28
Flagged1
Safety Score7/10
artificial colors
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead
View full ingredient analysis →
MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick

MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick

MAC

Ingredients27
Flagged4
Safety Score4/10
dimethiconepolyethylene glycolbismuth oxychloride
Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4
Flagged0
Safety Score10/10
Organic Coconut OilOrganic BeeswaxOrganic Jojoba OilVitamin E
Shop Numbrrrz Instead

Get Your Free Ingredient Safety Report

Enter your email and we'll send you a personalized breakdown of the most common harmful ingredients in your daily products.

Flagged

Ingredients of concern.

6 different ingredients of concern across MAC’s product line. Each links to a full safety analysis.

6

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.

In 4 of 5 MAC products
6

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.

In 2 of 5 MAC products
5

Bismuth Oxychloride

A synthetic inorganic pigment used in mineral makeup, eyeshadows, and face powders to create a pearlescent, luminous finish. While generally considered low-toxicity, bismuth oxychloride is a common cause of skin irritation and itching, particularly in mineral makeup users.

In 2 of 5 MAC products
4

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.

In 2 of 5 MAC products
4

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.

In 1 of 5 MAC products
3

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.

In 1 of 5 MAC products
Questions

Quick answers.

Who owns MAC Cosmetics?
MAC Cosmetics has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies since 1998, when Estée Lauder acquired the remaining shares of the brand. Estée Lauder is one of the world's largest prestige beauty conglomerates, also owning Clinique, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Tom Ford Beauty, and many other brands.
Does MAC lipstick contain lead?
FDA studies have found detectable levels of lead in lipsticks from virtually all major brands, including MAC. Lead appears as a contaminant in color additives, not as an intentionally added ingredient. MAC lipsticks use extensive color additive systems including multiple synthetic dyes, which increases the potential for trace metal contamination.
Is MAC cruelty-free?
MAC's cruelty-free status is complicated. The brand states it does not test on animals except where required by law. However, MAC sells products in mainland China, where animal testing has historically been required for imported cosmetics. China updated its regulations in 2021 to reduce mandatory testing, but enforcement and brand compliance vary. MAC does not carry Leaping Bunny certification.
A cleaner alternative

10/10 safety, 4 ingredients.

Numbrrrz lip balm with only organic, food-grade ingredients.