FDA Uncovers Data Deficiencies on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Cosmetics
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has unveiled a pioneering report that exposes significant data gaps about perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — colloquially known as “forever chemicals” — in cosmetic products. The agency discovered 51 PFAS intentionally incorporated into 1,744 cosmetic formulations available in the United States, which represents 0.41% of registered products as of August 2024.
“Our scientists have found that the toxicological data for most PFAS are incomplete or unavailable, leading to substantial uncertainty about consumer safety,” declared FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. The report, which was required under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA), concentrated on chemicals deliberately added to products like lipsticks, eyeshadows, moisturizers, and nail polish for their water resistance and durability attributes.
Out of the PFAS examined, five were considered to pose low safety concerns. However, one was flagged for potential health risks, and the safety of the remaining chemicals could not be definitively confirmed. At present, there are no federal regulations that specifically ban PFAS in cosmetic products, but the FDA has indicated that this stance may change as new scientific evidence comes to light. France has already taken action by banning products containing PFAS where alternatives are available, effective from January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the EU is anticipated to announce new restrictions within this year.
Source: FDA Press Announcement