The ugly truth is the cosmetic and beauty industry is not regulated by the FDA, so it’s up to you to research the products that you put on your skin The FDA is supposed to protect consumers from potentially harmful ingredients and chemicals, but the FDA has no specific guidelines on acceptable amounts of potentially or known toxic ingredients that are in our cosmetic and beauty products. As long as companies can justify hiding ingredients from consumers to prevent competitors from having their proprietary or secret formulas, they don’t have to tell you exactly what’s in them, even if they are toxic.
PFAS in Cosmetic and Beauty Products: What You Need to Know
In recent years, growing attention has been drawn to the hidden ingredients in personal care products — and one class of chemicals, in particular, has raised serious concerns: PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence in the environment and human body, PFAS are increasingly found in cosmetic products, including foundation, mascara, lipstick, and more.
But what are PFAS, why are they in cosmetics, and what does the science say about their potential health risks? In this blog, we’ll unpack the facts and provide guidance for those looking to make safer choices.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS is a large family of synthetic chemicals — numbering over 12,000 — that contain fluorine and carbon atoms. These strong chemical bonds make PFAS highly resistant to heat, water, and oil. Because of this, they have been used in a wide range of consumer products since the 1940s, including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, firefighting foam, and yes — cosmetics.
PFAS do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. This persistence has earned them the nickname “forever chemicals.” Over time, PFAS can accumulate, and exposure has been linked to several serious health effects.
Why Are PFAS in Cosmetics?
PFAS are added to cosmetics for several reasons:
- Water resistance: PFAS help makeup stay in place even when exposed to sweat or water, making them popular in long-wear or waterproof formulas.
- Smooth application: They can give products a silky texture and improved spreadability.
- Film-forming properties: PFAS help create a smooth, even film on the skin or lashes, which is desirable in foundations and mascaras.
Unfortunately, these functional benefits come at a cost.
Health Risks of PFAS
The health concerns around PFAS stem from their ability to accumulate in the body over time. Studies have associated PFAS exposure with:
- Hormonal disruption
- Reduced fertility
- Weakened immune response
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Developmental effects in infants and children
- Increased risk of certain cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer
Most of the health data comes from studies of people with occupational or environmental exposure to high levels of PFAS, such as workers in PFAS-manufacturing plants or communities with contaminated drinking water. However, scientists and regulators are increasingly concerned about cumulative, low-level exposure through consumer products — including cosmetics.
How Common Are PFAS in Cosmetics?
A groundbreaking 2021 study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters tested over 200 popular cosmetics in the U.S. and Canada and found that over half contained fluorine — a strong indicator of PFAS content. Products marketed as “long-lasting” or “waterproof” were most likely to contain them.
Even more troubling, many products containing PFAS did not list them on the label, making it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. This lack of transparency is a major issue, as labeling laws in the U.S. and many other countries don’t require full disclosure of every ingredient, particularly those used in small quantities or as part of a proprietary formula.
What Are Regulators Doing?
In the past few years, awareness of PFAS in cosmetics has grown — and so has regulatory scrutiny. Here’s an overview of recent actions:
United States
In 2021, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the No PFAS in Cosmetics Act, which would ban the intentional use of PFAS in cosmetics. While the bill has not yet passed, it has increased political momentum around the issue.
Several states, including California, Maine, and Minnesota, have moved to restrict or ban PFAS in cosmetics, often with phase-out deadlines in the mid-2020s.
European Union
The EU has more stringent cosmetic regulations overall and is actively considering a broad restriction on the use of PFAS in all consumer products, including cosmetics.
Canada and Others
Health Canada is currently assessing PFAS chemicals for potential restrictions. Some international brands and retailers are also moving toward voluntary bans.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Until stronger regulations are in place, the responsibility largely falls on consumers to avoid PFAS in their cosmetics. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Check Labels Carefully
Look for ingredients that may indicate the presence of PFAS, including:
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Perfluorononyl dimethicone
C9-15 fluoroalcohol phosphate
Fluoropolymer or any ingredient with “fluoro” or “perfluoro” in its name
- Seek “PFAS-Free” Certifications
Some brands now label their products as “PFAS-free” or include third-party certifications such as EWG Verified™, MADE SAFE®, or others that screen for harmful chemicals.
- Support Clean Beauty Brands
Do your research and support companies committed to transparency and nontoxic formulations. Some pioneering brands have pledged to avoid PFAS and conduct independent testing. Companies like Jane Iredale, discloses all of their ingredients on their website. Not all of their products contain zero toxic ingredients, but they are fully transparent about what ingredients their products contain.
- Limit Use of Long-Wear and Waterproof Products
These are the most likely to contain PFAS. If you don’t truly need waterproof mascara or 24-hour lipstick, consider skipping them.
The Bigger Picture: Clean Beauty and Public Health
PFAS in cosmetics is part of a larger issue: the lack of strong regulation in the personal care industry. In the U.S., the cosmetics industry is largely self-regulated, with the FDA having limited authority to recall dangerous products or require safety testing.
As public awareness grows, so does pressure on companies and lawmakers to act. Eliminating PFAS from makeup won’t happen overnight — but consumer demand can drive meaningful change.
Final Thoughts
PFAS in cosmetic products may seem like a niche concern, but it reflects broader systemic challenges in how consumer products are developed, marketed, and regulated. These chemicals are unnecessary in beauty products and pose real, long-term risks to human health and the environment.
If you care about what goes on your skin — and into your body — becoming an informed consumer is the first step. Push for transparency, demand safer ingredients, and consider simplifying your beauty routine. Jane Iredale is a mineral based makeup and a clean brand that is free from:
- PFAS (forever chemicals)
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Talc
- Synthetic fragrances
- GMO ingredients
Instead, they focus on using natural and nature-derived ingredients to preserve their products. When asked what Jane Iredale’s stance is on Forever Chemicals, Nichelle Turner, Global Makeup Artist and Educator for Jane Iredale said,” Our products are completely free of parabens/PFAS’s that can be considered forever chemicals; instead we have found a way to utilize many ingredients found in nature to preserve our products, rather than nasty chemicals”.
If you are interested in trying Jane Iredale makeup products, Ageless Beauty Rx has a full compliment of Jane Iredale makeup in stock. We regularly have makeup events complete with a mini facial to prep your skin, and full hour of makeup application by professional makeup artist, Diane Johnsen. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about Jane Iredale makeup.
Resources for Further Reading:
Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database
No PFAS in Cosmetics Act Summary (U.S. Congress)
Green Science Policy Institute – PFAS Resources
Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2021 PFAS in Cosmetics Study)
Treat Your Skin With Makeup by Jane Iredale (Kidspot)
Muneeza Intuitive Medicine Woman