Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Safety Information

PFAS compounds, particularly perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have received a lot of media attention related to possible health risks because they can remain in the environment and the human body for long periods of time. However, manufacturing processes have changed such that PFOA is no longer used. Cosmetics and personal care products companies continue to advance innovative product technologies, and the industry is working towards eliminating the use of PFAS in cosmetics and personal care products.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Because data from published studies are limited, FDA is unable to draw definitive conclusions about the potential health risks of PFAS in cosmetics. Further research is needed to determine the toxicological profiles for PFAS in cosmetics, including how PFAS in cosmetics can be absorbed through the skin and the potential for human health risks from this type of exposure. 

The FDA will continue to monitor the PFAS literature for toxicity studies and for dermal absorption information.

Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Expert Panel) has thoroughly reviewed scientific data supporting the safety of several PFAS in cosmetics and personal care products.

In 2018, the Expert Panel assessed the safety of 12 fluoropolymers, fluorinated side-chain polymers and fluorinated polyethers, concluding PTFE and hexafluoropropylene/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer are safe in cosmetics and personal care products in the current practices of use and concentration.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFOA is not used in consumer products made with fluoropolymers and fluorinated telomers, including Teflon® and other trademark products. While some may have contained trace amounts of PFOA and other related PFAS as impurities in the past, the EPA states that the routine use of consumer products containing PFAS like Teflon does not pose a health concern based on currently available data.

Currently, PFAS ingredients are listed on the EU’s Inventory of Cosmetic Ingredients (CosIng).They may be used as cosmetics ingredients according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Resources

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Cosmetics
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Basic Information about Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
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Fluorotechnology / Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

What Is It?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of compounds comprised of thousands of chemicals with widely differing chemistries, generally defined as fluorinated substances containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom without any H/Cl/Br/I atom attached to it.

PFAS are used as intentionally added ingredients to provide strength, durability, stability and/or resilience for the safety and effectiveness of a broad range of industrial, commercial and consumer products across many industries, including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, paints and fire-fighting foams. Certain PFAS are also authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for limited use in cookware, food packaging and food processing equipment.

Teflon®, the brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is the most widely recognized PFAS. This chemical has been used in various commercial applications since the 1940s, including non-stick coatings for cookware, fabric protectors for stain resistance and some cosmetics and personal care products.

Why Is It Used?

A small number of PFAS are used as bulking agents or to improve consistency and texture in cosmetics and personal care products, such as lotion, nail polish, eye makeup and foundation. PTFE and perfluorononyl dimethicone/methicone/amodimethicone crosspolymer are the most common PFAS used in cosmetics and personal care products.