FDA Uncertain About Safety of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Cosmetics
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published a report, highlighting the lack of sufficient data to fully assess the safety of PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’, in cosmetic products. This revelation has sparked concerns throughout the beauty industry regarding consumer safety and the possibility of future regulatory action.
Based on mandatory product listing data, the agency’s evaluation discovered that 51 PFAS are used in 1,744 cosmetic formulations. The FDA analyzed the 25 most frequently used PFAS, which account for approximately 96% of these chemicals in beauty products. The results were alarming, as the toxicological data for most of these chemicals were either incomplete or unavailable. While five PFAS seemed to present low safety concerns, one was flagged for potential health risks, and the safety of the remaining could not be confirmed.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary voiced his concern over the lack of reliable data, stating that this uncertainty poses a significant risk to consumer safety and necessitates further research. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that persist in the environment due to their inability to break down. Research suggests that these chemicals are linked to serious health conditions such as kidney cancer and testicular cancer.
The FDA has announced plans to collaborate closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen recommendations. The agency will also allocate more resources to monitor these chemicals, with potential enforcement action on the horizon if specific products are proven to be dangerous. Notably, France has already taken action by banning PFAS in cosmetics effective from January 1, 2026.
Source: U.S. News