Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Cosmetics
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. Certain PFAS are intentionally added as ingredients in some cosmetic products, including lipsticks, eyeshadows, moisturizers, nail polish and enamel, blushers and rouges, and cleansers. These PFAS are used in cosmetics to condition and smooth the skin and hair, making them appear shiny, or to affect product consistency and texture. Some PFAS may also be present in cosmetics unintentionally as the result of raw material impurities, or due to the breakdown of intentionally added PFAS ingredients that form other types of PFAS.
One common concern is that many PFAS break down very slowly and some accumulate in people, animals, and the environment over time, posing potential health risks. For more information on potential risks of PFAS, please see: Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS | US EPA.
Consumers of cosmetics who want to avoid PFAS should become familiar with reading the label on cosmetic products. The label of a cosmetic product sold on a retail basis must declare the ingredients in descending order of predominance. Based on information submitted to FDA, some common PFAS ingredients found in cosmetics include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluorononyl dimethicone, trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2, tetradecyl aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric urea trifluoroacetate, perfluorohexylethyl triethoxysilane, methyl perfluorobutyl ether, and methyl perfluoroisobutyl ether.
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) is the most significant expansion of the FDA’s authority to regulate cosmetics since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act was passed in 1938. This new law will help ensure the safety of cosmetic products many consumers use daily. MoCRA requirements include:
- That FDA assess the use of PFAS in cosmetic products and the scientific evidence regarding the safety of their use in cosmetic products, including any risks associated with their use. MoCRA further provides that FDA, as appropriate, consult with the National Center for Toxicological Research to assess safety of PFAS in cosmetics.
- That FDA publish, on its website, a report summarizing the results of the safety assessment from the use of PFAS in cosmetic products, not later than December 29, 2025.
FDA’s Assessment and Report on the Use of PFAS in Cosmetic Products
On December 29, 2025, FDA published a report, entitled “Report on the Use of PFAS in Cosmetic Products and Associated Risks,” which summarizes the results of FDA’s assessment of PFAS in cosmetic products and the scientific evidence regarding the safety of such use, including any associated risks. The FDA completed this assessment of PFAS in cosmetic products and is publishing this report on FDA’s website as mandated by section 3506 of MoCRA.
The FDA’s assessment underscores significant data gaps for PFAS used in cosmetic products, including limited data on use level, lack of dermal and oral absorption data, and mechanistic information, as well as the absence of dermal toxicity data. The FDA will continue to monitor emerging data on PFAS to ensure the continued safety of cosmetic products.