MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
Paraben FreeSulfate FreeAlcohol FreeNormal SkinMature Skin
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
Makeup · Lipstick · Luxury
We put MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick through our full ingredient analysis.
Chapter I · The Score
The numbers don't lie.
After analyzing 13 ingredients across four dimensions, our algorithm returned a verdict that surprised us.
0/100
Overall
Use With Caution
0/100
0/100
0/100
Chapter II · The Ingredients
Inside the formula.
We scored every ingredient individually. Some impressed us. Others raised serious questions.
Kaolin
A natural clay that helps to mattify lipstick and bind excess oil.
100/100
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A nourishing neutral oil derived from coconut fat that makes the skin supple and is very well tolerated.
100/100
Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax
A hard plant wax that gives the product stability and has a smoothing effect.
100/100
Tocopherol
Pure Vitamin E that protects the lips from free radicals and prevents the product from going rancid.
100/100
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
A mineral white pigment considered safe and provides the necessary opacity for the color.
95/100
Carmine (CI 75470)
A red dye of animal origin, which is safe but avoided by vegans.
65/100
Dimethicone
A silicone oil that makes the texture smooth but is environmentally difficult to degrade.
55/100
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
A synthetic polymer that increases smoothness but is considered environmentally difficult to degrade.
50/100
Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163)
A mineral pigment that imparts a metallic sheen but can cause itching in sensitive skin.
45/100
Paraffin
A mineral oil-based wax that retains moisture in the skin but is environmentally questionable.
40/100
Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)
A synthetic dye suspected of causing intolerances in sensitive skin.
40/100
Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)
A synthetic dye that provides intense color results but has a certain irritation potential.
40/100
PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer
A synthetic film former that improves durability but is considered difficult-to-degrade microplastic.
30/100
Full ingredient list
Dimethicone, Isoeicosane, Kaolin, Ceresin, Paraffin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vanillin, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Methicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Carmine (CI 75470), Orange 5 Lake (CI 45370), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Yellow 10 Lake (CI 47005)
Chapter III · The Deep Dive
Our expert's complete verdict.
The MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick is an iconic, matte lipstick known worldwide for its extremely high pigmentation and long-lasting texture. The formulation is based on a blend of various waxes, silicones, and a variety of color pigments to achieve the characteristic matte finish.
🟡 Overall Rating: Moderately concerning
The formulation is a typical example of a performance product that relies heavily on synthetic ingredients. While skin tolerability is good for most users, the product contains mineral oil-based waxes and synthetic polymers, which are ecologically critical.
Individual Evaluation of Key Ingredients
| Ingredient | Rating | Function & Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Dimethicone | 🟡 | Silicone oil, provides a silky feel and good spreadability. |
| Kaolin | 🟢 | Natural clay, mattifies the texture and absorbs excess oil. |
| Paraffin | 🟡 | Mineral wax, serves as a consistency enhancer, but is poorly biodegradable. |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | 🟢 | Neutral oil from coconut fatty acids, has nourishing and re-fattening effects. |
| Copernicia Cerifera Wax | 🟢 | Carnauba wax, a natural plant wax that provides hardness and shine. |
| Tocopherol | 🟢 | Vitamin E, protects both skin and product as an antioxidant. |
| Vanillin | 🟢 | Flavor and fragrance, gives the typical vanilla scent. |
| PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer | 🔴 | Synthetic polymer (film former), considered poorly biodegradable (microplastic issue). |
| Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) | 🟢 | White pigment and mineral UV protection, considered safe in lipsticks. |
| Carmine (CI 75470) | 🟢 / 🟡 | Natural red dye (carmine), harmless but not vegan (of animal origin). |
| Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140) | 🟡 | Synthetic dye that can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. |
| Iron Oxides | 🟢 | Earth pigments for coloring, considered very safe and well tolerated. |
Environmental Compatibility
The ecological footprint of this product is to be classified as critical due to its conventional composition.
- ◈Biodegradability: Rather poor, as it contains many synthetic ingredients and mineral oil derivatives.
- ◈Microplastics: Contains synthetic polymers such as PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, which can pollute the environment.
- ◈Silicones/Mineral Oils: Contains Dimethicone, as well as Paraffin and Ceresin, which offer no real added value for either the skin or the environment.
- ◈Palm Oil Issue: Contains ingredients (e.g., Glyceryl Linoleate) that may be palm oil-based; certification for sustainable cultivation is not specified.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Conclusion: The MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick impresses with its professional performance and color depth, but uses a chemical-synthetic base. Ingredients like Paraffin and various polymers make it a classic conventional cosmetic product without a focus on sustainability.
Recommendation:
- ◈Who is it suitable for? For anyone looking for a perfect matte red and who has no issues with silicones or mineral waxes.
- ◈Special Notes: Not suitable for vegans, as real carmine (Carmine) is included. For very dry lips, a lip balm should be applied underneath.
- ◈Purchase Recommendation: Yes, for occasional use as performance makeup; less suitable for proponents of Clean Beauty or natural cosmetics.
⚠
High Concern — Flagged Ingredient
PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer
A synthetic film former that improves durability but is considered difficult-to-degrade microplastic.
Chapter IV · The Verdict
◇
Use With Caution
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick earns a 55/100 from our algorithm. A moderate score — some effective ingredients alongside notable concerns.
55Overall
78Skin Compatibility
28Environmental
22Naturalness