FDA Analyzed 430,000 Cosmetics and Found 51 PFAS Intentionally Added
A new FDA report has put a precise number on something the clean beauty conversation has circled for years. The agency analyzed 430,134 cosmetic products registered between December 2023 and August 2024 and published its findings under the title “Report on the Use of PFAS in Cosmetic Products and Associated Risks.”
What PFAS are and why they end up in makeup
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of synthetic chemicals built around carbon-fluorine bonds. That bond is one of the strongest in chemistry, which is why PFAS resist heat, water, and biological breakdown. The same durability that makes them useful also makes them persistent. They do not degrade meaningfully in the environment or the human body, earning the label “forever chemicals.”
More than 12,000 PFAS compounds are currently identified. They are best known from non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, and firefighting foam, but they have been used in cosmetics for decades. In formulations, they deliver water resistance, anti-smear performance, and a silky skin feel. Some serve as penetration enhancers, helping other active ingredients absorb more efficiently.
What the FDA found in 430,134 products
Of the products analyzed, 0.41 percent, roughly 1,760 products, contained PFAS as intentionally added ingredients. The number of distinct PFAS identified: 51.
The distribution across product categories was uneven.
- Eye shadow: 20.5% of all PFAS-containing products
- Face and neck skincare (leave-on): 15.9%
- Eyeliner: 8.4%
- Face powder: 6.6%
- Foundation: 4.5%
Eye products account for nearly a third of PFAS-containing cosmetics in this dataset. The periorbital area, the skin surrounding the eyes, has a thinner barrier and higher absorption rates compared to other facial skin. Products in this zone also tend to sit on the skin for extended hours.
The EWG, using the same underlying data, reported PFAS confirmed in more than 1,700 individual cosmetic products.
The safety data problem
The FDA evaluated 25 of the most commonly used PFAS in cosmetics. The results were:
- 5 PFAS: assessed as “low concern”
- 1 PFAS: flagged with “potential safety concern and substantial uncertainty”
- 19 PFAS: insufficient data to make a determination
That last category is the central issue. Under current US law, cosmetic ingredients do not require FDA pre-market approval before being sold. Companies are not required to submit safety data unless the FDA specifically requests it. “Insufficient data” often means that data was never generated or submitted, not that an ingredient has been studied and found safe.
States are ahead of the federal government
While federal regulation works through existing frameworks, several state governments have already acted.
Maine and Vermont banned the intentional addition of PFAS to cosmetics effective January 1, 2026.
Connecticut requires labeling disclosure for PFAS-containing cosmetics starting July 1, 2026.
State-level bans in the US have historically preceded federal action on ingredient safety. Global brands distributing in those markets are already reformulating or reviewing their ingredient supply chains.
What to look for on a product label
Checking an ingredient list for PFAS is possible without specialized knowledge. Terms to look for include:
- PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, the compound used in non-stick coatings)
- Ingredients starting with perfluoro-
- Ingredients starting with polyfluoro-
- Fluoroethylene compounds
Priority categories to check, based on the FDA data: eye shadow, eyeliner, waterproof mascara, face powder, and foundation. Within skincare, leave-on products, those that stay on the skin rather than being rinsed off, such as serums, moisturizers, and SPF, carry longer contact time than wash-off formats.
The EWG Skin Deep database at ewg.org/skindeep allows product and ingredient searches and flags PFAS where they appear in registered formulations.
What this means for clean beauty labeling
The FDA report does not ban any PFAS. It does establish, for the first time, a comprehensive inventory of what is actually in registered US cosmetics and what the agency does and does not know about their safety.
Of 25 PFAS reviewed, the data is sufficient to call only 5 low concern. One carries an active safety flag. Nineteen cannot be assessed. Those 19 are in products currently on shelves.
For consumers parsing clean beauty claims, the distinction between brands that explicitly disclose PFAS-free formulation and those that do not is now grounded in a federal dataset. The ingredient list, rather than marketing language, remains the most reliable source.
Q. Why are PFAS used in cosmetics in the first place? PFAS provide water resistance, heat stability, and a smooth, spreadable texture. They are commonly used in waterproof mascara, long-wear foundations, and lipsticks to prevent smearing. Some PFAS also act as skin penetration enhancers, which can improve the delivery of other active ingredients.
Q. How can I tell if a product contains PFAS from the ingredient list? Look for ingredients starting with ‘perfluoro-’ or ‘polyfluoro-’, as well as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), fluoroethylene compounds, and certain fluorinated PEG derivatives. The EWG Skin Deep database (ewg.org/skindeep) lets you search by brand or ingredient to check for PFAS presence.
Q. Are PFAS in cosmetics regulated outside the US? The EU has restrictions on certain PFAS under REACH regulations and has been moving toward broader bans. In South Korea, some PFAS are restricted but there is no comprehensive ban. Full ingredient disclosure is required in both markets, so checking for ‘fluoro’ terms on the label remains the most direct consumer check.