PFAS in Beauty and Personal Care: A Growing Concern
PFAS compounds are found in a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products, including foundation, mascara, waterproof sunscreen, anti-aging creams, and dental floss with PTFE coating. These products create direct dermal, inhalation, and potentially ingestion exposure routes that complement water and dietary PFAS pathways.
FDA MoCRA Authority and PFAS
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) significantly expanded FDA’s authority over cosmetic safety, requiring safety substantiation, facility registration, and adverse event reporting. FDA is using MoCRA authority to evaluate PFAS in cosmetics, with potential for ingredient restrictions as the agency implements enhanced oversight requirements.
State Restrictions on Cosmetic PFAS
California’s Safer Cosmetics Program and AB 2771 restrict intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics sold in California. Maryland, Minnesota, and Colorado have enacted similar restrictions. These state laws create de facto national reformulation incentives as the cosmetics industry adapts to the regulatory requirements of major state markets.
Clean Beauty Market and Reformulation
Consumer demand for “clean beauty” products free of PFAS and other chemicals of concern is driving voluntary reformulation across the cosmetics industry. Third-party certification programs for PFAS-free cosmetics—including certifications from Made Safe and EWG—provide market differentiation for brands reformulating ahead of regulatory mandates and responding to consumer preference