Unveiling Safety Concerns: FDA Discovers PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Cosmetic Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently published a report, revealing the presence of over 50 types of PFAS “forever chemicals” in nearly 1,744 cosmetic products. The report raises concerns about the lack of sufficient safety data to ascertain the safety of these chemicals for consumers.
As mandated by the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA), the report discloses that PFAS ingredients are most commonly found in:
- Eye shadows (20.5% of products)
- Face and neck skincare (15.9%)
- Eyeliner (8.4%)
- Face powder (6.6%)
- Foundation (4.5%)
These chemicals are primarily used to enhance product texture, durability, and water resistance.
The FDA’s evaluation of the 25 most frequently used PFAS—representing 96% of PFAS uses in cosmetics—uncovered that toxicological data for 19 substances (76%) is either incomplete or unavailable. Only five PFAS were deemed as presenting low safety concerns. However, one chemical, perfluorohexylethyl triethoxysilane, was identified as a potential safety concern when used at high concentrations in body lotions.
“Our scientists found that toxicological data for most PFAS are incomplete or unavailable, leaving significant uncertainty about consumer safety,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. “This lack of reliable data demands further research.”
Several U.S. states, including California, Washington, and Vermont, have already implemented bans on intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics. The enforcement dates for these bans range from 2025 to 2028. The FDA has pledged to continue monitoring emerging data and to devote resources to reduce PFAS exposure in beauty products through expanded testing and surveillance.
Source: FDA Press Announcements