An analysis of cosmetic products indicates that more than 52% of the items tested in the United States and Canada contain PFAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, chemicals known for their adverse health effects.

This proportion is higher in products such as foundation (63%), waterproof mascara (82%), and long-lasting lipsticks (62%), among others. The report also reveals that 88% of products containing PFAS do not list their presence on the label, leaving consumers with no way to protect themselves, CNN notes.

It highlights the urgent need for regulation and transparency in cosmetics labeling.

Effects of PFAS on Human Health

Specific health effects of PFAS include a variety of harms and diseases. Exposure to PFAS can cause thyroid disease and dysfunction, high cholesterol levels, breast cancer, liver damage, kidney cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, decreased infant and fetal growth, ulcerative colitis, and testicular cancer.

Exposure to these types of compounds can affect the immune system, decreasing the response to some vaccines, and can cause changes in liver enzymes. Other observed effects include small decreases in birth weight, preeclampsia, and liver damage, as well as possible delays in fetal development and reproductive effects such as decreased fertility.

Risks depend on factors such as dose, frequency, duration, and individual characteristics of the person exposed. These compounds tend to accumulate in the body because of their resistance to degradation.

Initiative Toward Better Practices

Separately, the 2025 Beauty and Personal Care Ingredient Intelligence Report, compiled by ChemFORWARD—a nonprofit organization dedicated to analyzing industry hazard data to encourage manufacturers to use safer chemicals in their personal care products—notes slight progress in reducing chemicals of concern. However,Nearly 4% of products still use highly harmful substances. The collision between demand for safe products and market reality highlights a crisis in modest beauty regulation.

“Verified safety is on the rise, with chemicals of concern appearing in fewer products. This shows that it is possible to identify and manage exposure to toxic chemicals in personal care products with industry collaboration,” said Stacy Glass, co-founder and CEO of ChemFORWARD, as quoted by CNN.

It's important to note that the 50,000 products ChemFORWARD analyzed are a tiny fraction of the global personal care industry. That's according to David Andrews, interim chief scientist for the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit consumer health organization that provides its own database of product-specific toxicity information for more than 6,000 brands.

New Legislation and Consumers

Likewise, the proposed Modernization of Cosmetic Regulations (MoCRA) seeks to establish requirements that promote product safety. However, the responsibility falls on manufacturers to ensure consumer safety, who should be alert to ingredients classified as hazardous in ChemFORWARD reports.

Products with silicone and parabens deserve special attention, and there is a call to educate the public on how to protect themselves in the face of the lack of information.

Finally, the industry is constantly adding new chemicals, so there will always be ingredients that need to be tested for potential toxicity. Therefore, it is essential to be alert and review the components of each product.

Identifying cosmetic products with PFAS

To identify cosmetic products that contain PFAS, it is recommended.