PFAS in Cosmetics: Understanding the “Forever Chemicals” in Beauty Products

Written By Clean Beauty Coalition

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products has become one of the most pressing environmental health issues of the past decade. These chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been widely studied because of their ability to persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body. Recent scientific investigations have identified PFAS in certain cosmetic products, raising new questions about chemical exposure through beauty routines.

“This is a moment where modern science is catching up with an outdated regulatory system. Consumers deserve transparency about chemicals that persist in the body and environment for decades.”
— Amber Makupson, Founder, Clean Beauty Coalition

What Are PFAS?

PFAS represent a large family of synthetic chemicals developed for their resistance to water, oil, and heat. These properties have made them useful in industrial applications and consumer products ranging from cookware to textiles.

How PFAS Appear in Cosmetics

In cosmetics, PFAS compounds have been detected in products designed for durability and water resistance, including:

  • waterproof mascaras

  • long-wear foundations

  • lipsticks and lip stains

  • eyeliners and primers

Studies analyzing cosmetic formulations have found fluorinated compounds that may indicate the presence of PFAS.

Health and Environmental Risks

Researchers have studied PFAS exposure for potential links to:

Short-term concerns:

  • immune system effects

  • metabolic disruption

Long-term concerns:

  • cancer risk in certain exposure scenarios

  • reproductive and developmental impacts

PFAS are also environmentally persistent and can accumulate in water systems and wildlife.

Policy Implications

Several U.S. states are considering or implementing restrictions on PFAS in consumer products, including cosmetics. International regulatory bodies are also evaluating broader chemical restrictions.

Disproportionate Impact

Communities already facing higher environmental exposure burdens may experience greater cumulative impacts from persistent chemicals.

Clean Beauty Coalition Position

CBC supports:

  • stronger ingredient transparency

  • continued scientific evaluation of PFAS exposure pathways

  • regulatory frameworks that reflect modern environmental health science

Sources

National Academies of Sciences — PFAS and Health
Environmental Protection Agency — PFAS Research
Environmental Health Perspectives — PFAS Exposure Studies

Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives in Cosmetics

Formaldehyde has long been recognized as a carcinogenic chemical, yet substances that release formaldehyde under certain conditions remain present in some personal care products.

“Consumers should not have to decode complex chemical systems to understand whether a product may expose them to a known carcinogen.”
— Amber Makupson

What These Chemicals Are

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives include compounds such as:

  • DMDM Hydantoin

  • Quaternium-15

  • Imidazolidinyl Urea

  • Diazolidinyl Urea

These ingredients are used to prevent microbial growth in water-based cosmetic formulations.

Health Concerns

Short-term effects may include:

  • skin irritation

  • allergic contact dermatitis

  • respiratory irritation

Long-term exposure concerns relate to the carcinogenic classification of formaldehyde itself.

Regulatory Landscape

Several international regulators have restricted or banned certain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients due to safety concerns.

CBC Position

CBC advocates for transparent labeling and precautionary evaluation of ingredients that release formaldehyde.

Sources

• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) – PFAS in Cosmetics

https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-cosmetics

• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – PFAS Evaluation

https://publications.iarc.who.int/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Identification-Of-Carcinogenic-Hazards-To-Humans/Perfluorooctanoic-Acid-PFOA-And-Perfluorooctanesulfonic-Acid-PFOS–2025

• NIH Environmental Health Perspectives – PFAS Research

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/

Clean Beauty Coalition

The Clean Beauty Coalition led by Amber Makupson, is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that aims to eliminate toxic chemicals from beauty and personal care products, particularly those that disproportionately affect women and children of color. The organization advocates for ingredient transparency, policy reform, and health equity.

Mission and goals

Driven by research highlighting toxic ingredients in products marketed to Black women, the coalition works to create a safer, more equitable, and sustainable beauty industry through several initiatives. These include advocating for regulatory changes, educating consumers about harmful ingredients, holding brands and retailers accountable for providing clean products, offering a certification program to help brands comply with regulations like MOCRA, and partnering with brands focused on sustainability.

http://cleanbeautycoalition.org
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