Are Mac Lipsticks Gluten Free

So I have had some reactions to makeup containing gluten lately so I have been doing tons of research on what gluten is listed as on makeup, lotions, body wash, etc. and I wanted to share the products that I have found in case anyone else is having trouble finding them or knowing what they are.

  • Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek. This two-in-one formula can be applied on the cheeks for a natural-looking flush or on the lips for a buildable tint. In addition to being soy- and gluten-free, the product is cruelty-free and vegan.
  • 1 product ratings - Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick (All Shades You Choose) $7.99 to $8.99. LIPSENSE SeneGence NEW Full Size Authentic Lip Colors & Gloss SALE Free Shipping. $7.95 to $31.95. OGEE - Organic - Tinted Sculpted Lip -$15.

I was just at Sephora and asked for gluten-free lipstick. The clerk suggested Bite lipsticks. I looked online and on their website they are gluten free, 100% certified (all their materials are certified.do a search on their site “gluten-free). They have a beautiful selection of colors!


I e-mailed Urban Decay and they told me to list every product that I own and they would confirm if it has gluten or not, I asked about all three naked palette's, the electric palette, vice palette (1&2), single eye shadows, primers, lipsticks, and the super saturated high gloss lip colors and lastly setting spray.

Their response was:
Thank you for your email reply. All shades in the palettes are gluten free EXCEPT the Electric Pigment Palette. The primers all three shades are gluten free but the Anti-Aging one is not. All Super-Saturated shade do have gluten. And lastly, the setting sprays are all gluten free.
Please note the gluten ingredient name is tocopherol. This will be listed in the ingredient list so you can review the list and find out for future items.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reply to this email.
I then had to reply and ask about more products that I forgot that I had from them which were: brow box in honey pot, shattered face case, Theodora palette, lip gloss and the dangerous palette.
It's the weekend so I haven't gotten a response from them but I know that their brow boxes use to be gluten free so that one I just wanted to confirm and as far as I was aware Urban Decay has no eye shadows that contain gluten just the pressed pigment palette (electric palette). But it's good to confirm because products change so much. I also know that all of the 24/7 eye liners contain gluten. Their liquid liners, ink for eyes cream eye liner and heavy metal glitter liners are all gluten free. Surreal skin mineral makeup, razor sharp ultra definition finishing powder, de sick in a tube, lip love honey infused lip therapy, body bronzer, body shimmer and sparkling lickable body powder are all gluten free as well.
I will update this post with their response when I receive it, most likely Monday.

Elf e-mailed back quickly and responded:
Thank you for your interest in e.l.f. Cosmetics. Our products do not contain gluten or beeswax. Please be aware, however, that we cannot guarantee that the machinery used to process our products are completely gluten free.

The only product I asked Benefit about was their porefessional and it is gluten free.

Too Faced Naked Eye palette is the only thing I own from them and it is gluten free.

Mac's gluten free products are: Studio finish matte fondation, lipglass, lipsticks except for the amplified creme lipsticks, eye shadows (contain soy), fix + (contains soy), fluidline, frost lipstick (contains soy), full coverage foundation, glaze lipstick (contains soy), green gel cleanser (contains soy), lustre lipstick (contains soy)
lustreglass (contains soybean extract), matte lipstick, plushglass (contains soy), powerpoint pencil (contains soy), satin lipstick (contains soy), select spf 15 foundation (contains soy), select spf 15 moistureblend foundation ( contains soybean oil), select sheer loose powder (contains soy), select sheer pressed powder (contains soy), sheertone blush, studio finsih concealer, studio finish pressed powder (contains soy), studio fix fluid foundation (contains soy), studio fix powder plus foundation, studio mist blush (contains soy), studio mist foundation, studio tech foundation (contains soy)

Products containing gluten:
tinted lip conditioner
amplified creme lipstick
day spf 15 light moisture
fast response eye cream

Are Mac Lipsticks Gluten Free Brands


pre + prime skin
I have read on a gluten free blog that mac's paint pots are gluten free but tocopherol is one of the ingredients to I need to confirm that with mac.

Last Updated on 07/05/2021

MAC Cosmetics needs no introduction. A well known name in the contemporary cosmetics world. Beauty enthusiasts have MAC in their kitty or bucket list! Today, let’s have a look at MAC’s cruelty-free status!

This Canada based makeup brand has now spread its wings all around the globe. MAC’s Ruby Woo is ‘the’ lipstick for all red lip lovers for a couple of decades now. You can’t ‘un-see’ the mesmerizing effects of Studio Fix Powder Compact, Fluid Foundation or Fix+ as well.

However, MAC has been criticized time and again for its shady cruelty policies. Should you buy a MAC product as a cruelty-free supporter or leave it for good? These are the facts to consider.

*Contains affiliate link(s)

Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty Free? Is it Vegan?

MAC – Past & Present

1984 –Makeup Art Cosmetics Inc is popularly known as MAC Cosmetics. It was founded in 1984 by two photographers turned makeup artists. They’re Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo.

This Toronto based makeup brand wanted to fill up the ridge. This gap existed between long stay and photo-friendly makeup.

Initially, MAC was popular among focused audience of fashion & makeup world. Within a few years, its popularity reached to mass beauty users.

The brand started its journey with lip colors. Later, they ventured into face makeup.

1994 –In 1994, beauty giant Estee Lauder bought major stakes of this brand.

1998 – In 1998, there was a demise of one of the founder member. As a result, Estee Lauder became the sole owner of MAC.

MAC holds its position among top 3 makeup brands in world ranking. MAC has collaborated with several huge artists. For instance, Sia, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, & Elle Goulding.

What MAC Says about their Cruelty Free Outlook?

Here’s something interesting from MAC’s official website. It is under the tag of ‘Working Toward a Cruelty-free World”.

“M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us. While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally. To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide.”

This is the same old ambiguous statement. You can find it in every subsidiary of non-cruelty free Estee Lauder conglomerate.

The statement tries to convince you how animal-friendly MAC’s policies are. Sadly, the mention of exception breaks all the illusions MAC was trying to create.

Moreover, they do not share clear data about their ingredient testing policy. The above statement does not confirm how the suppliers treat the product ingredients.

PS: In cosmetic industry, animal testing is majorly performed at the ingredients level, not in the complete product level. Here is a detailed Cruelty Free Guide.

Cruelty free timeline

MAC used to be a biggest promoter of cruelty-free in cosmetic industry. They used to promote their products as ‘tested on models not on animals’.

But then the merger of MAC with Estee Lauder occured. (tragic!) As a result, this brought a huge change in their original policies.

Hence, MAC broke all their ethics promises towards their loyal cruelty-free consumers. And guess what?

2005 –MAC got launched in China in 2005.

They even brought changes in their testing policy. All done to entertain the mandatory animal testing practices by Chinese government.

Are Mac Lipsticks Gluten Free

2012 – In 2012, it was disclosed that MAC runs animal testing on their own. This news created lots of buzz among the users and beauty community.

There were urges and protests by various animal welfare organisations. For example, PETA’s youth chapter. However, MAC did not budge. No changes in any of its policies.

Is MAC Cruelty Free?

No. Nope. Nada. Nah. MAC is not a cruelty-free brand.

In fact, MAC’s parent brand is also an animal cruelty brand.

2005 – MAC used to be a cruelty free brand until 2005. In 2005 MAC started selling their products in mainland China.

Currently, they are in compliance to Chinese policies. Accordingly, all imported products have to go through mandatory animal testing step. This is the cosmetic product safety guideline over there.

2012 – MAC chose monetary gain over customer loyalty & animal welfare. Additionally, they started animal testing on their own since 2012.

Till this date, MAC funds the Chinese government to run cruelty test on their products.

Is MAC manufactured in China?

Are Mac Lipsticks Gluten Free

Not known. Majority of MAC’s color products are manufactured in US and Canada. Not adequate information is available to tell if MAC makes products in mainland China or not.

Is MAC currently being sold in China?

Yes. MAC has several standalone stores in China. Also, they sell their products through their own China website & Sephora.

MAC products are widely available both online and offline in mainland China. In fact, China is currently one of the major consumers of MAC.

Is it vegan?

No. MAC products are definitely not vegan.

MAC uses animal derived ingredients like carmine and beeswax to make their world famous makeup range.

Do we recommend MAC?

Not at all.

Sorry folks! We can’t recommend a shady brand like MAC.

MAC is neither cruelty free nor vegan. They aren’t even clean & green. Just like many other non-cruelty free brands MAC tries fool customers. They market their products as ‘never tested’ on animals.

On contrary, they allow and obviously ‘pay’ governing bodies to perform animal testing on their products.

Is Mac Makeup Fragrance Free

PETA has even included MAC in their ‘brands to avoid’ list for this contrasting duality.

Alternatives to 5 Highly Recommended Products from MAC

Here are some cruelty free dupes of MAC.

  1. MAC Retro Matte Lipstick Ruby Woo

You saw this one coming. Niche software pcb designer. Obviously! This is one of the bestseller worldwide. A beautiful red lipstick with ultra matte finish. This blue toned red color never goes wrong with anyone. Perhaps the reason why so many celebrities swear by it?

The best cruelty free dupe of Ruby Woo is Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Creeper. Affordable & cruelty free, give me one please! (I am on a lookout for a better dupe though!)

  1. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer is another star product from MAC. The wide shade range, blendable formula and superb staying power are some USP. Covergirl TrueBlend Concealer is the best cruelty free dupe of this amazing concealer. Find the list of the best cruelty free concealer here.

  1. MAC Prep+Prime Fix+

Are Mac Lipsticks Gluten Free Product

Fix+ is MAC’s all in one prep+set product. This watery liquid is originally a fixing spray but it doubles up as primer water. You can even use it as a base for eye shadows and shimmers. NYX Dewy Setting Spray is a good dupe for this.

  1. MAC Eyeshadow

Rich pigment, color variety & lasting power makes MAC Eye Shadows superior. You can get dupes of the cult favorite shades from this range (Carbon, Amber lights, etc.) in Colourpop cruelty-free eyeshadow collection.

  1. MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish

One of the favorite strobe highlighter for many. ELF Baked Blush is an awesome substitute that comes with the same healthy glow and flawless finish.

PS:Before you go, do share any MAC dupes you’re found of in the comments below!

Gluten Free Makeup Brands List

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