PFAS in Makeup and Cosmetics: Brands to Watch

If you've ever checked a mascara or foundation label and seen ingredients like "PTFE" or anything with "fluoro" in the name, you've encountered PFAS — a class of synthetic chemicals that has quietly made its way into cosmetics for decades. Based on available materials and data, PFAS in makeup is a real and documented issue, though the risk level varies widely by product type, brand, and formulation. This article breaks down what's known, which brands have been named in testing and reporting, and what you can do if you'd rather avoid these chemicals altogether.

What Is the PFAS-in-Cosmetics Issue, Exactly?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are added to cosmetics primarily for their water- and oil-repelling properties. In makeup, this translates to long-wear formulas, smudge-proof eyeliners, and waterproof mascaras. Common PFAS-related ingredients found on labels include:

• PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) — used for smooth application and slip
• Perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane — a coating agent
• C9-15 fluoroalcohol phosphate — found in some foundations and primers

A widely cited 2021 study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, led by researchers including Dr. Graham Peaslee at Notre Dame, tested more than 200 cosmetic products purchased in the U.S. and Canada. The study found indicators of high fluorine content — a proxy for PFAS — in a significant portion of waterproof mascaras, long-lasting lipsticks, and foundations, even when PFAS were not listed as ingredients on the label. This gap between labeling and lab findings is central to the concern: brands may not always disclose PFAS explicitly, and "PFAS-free" claims are not always independently verified.

Which Brands and Products Have Been Named?

It's important to distinguish between brand-stated claims and third-party verified findings. Some brands have made public commitments to phase out PFAS; others have been flagged in independent testing without confirming or denying PFAS use in specific products.

Products Flagged in Independent Testing

The 2021 Notre Dame-affiliated study did not name every brand publicly, citing ethical and legal constraints around single-sample testing, but it did report that waterproof mascaras and liquid lipsticks from mass-market drugstore lines showed some of the highest fluorine signals. Subsequent investigative reporting by outlets like The Guardian and testing coordinated with advocacy groups such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have pointed to specific long-wear and waterproof formulas — particularly from mass-market brands — as more likely to contain PTFE or related compounds, based on ingredient list review rather than lab confirmation in every case.

Brands That Have Publicly Committed to PFAS-Free Formulations

Several brands have made public statements about removing intentionally added PFAS from their formulas. These are brand-stated claims, not independent lab certifications, unless otherwise noted:

• e.l.f. Cosmetics — has stated it reformulated products to remove intentionally added PFAS as of 2022.
• Beautycounter — includes PFAS on its "Never List" of restricted ingredients, per brand statements.
• Burt's Bees — has publicly stated it does not intentionally add PFAS to its formulas.
• Honest Beauty — lists PFAS among ingredients it says it avoids.
• Well People — markets itself as PFAS-free based on brand disclosures.

None of these commitments have been universally validated through independent third-party lab testing of every SKU, so claims should be considered brand-stated unless a specific certification body is named.

How Risky Is PFAS Exposure From Makeup, Honestly?

This is where nuance matters. Cosmetics are generally considered a smaller exposure pathway compared to contaminated drinking water or occupational exposure, based on current research. However, some studies suggest that PFAS can be absorbed through skin or ingested incidentally (from lipstick, for example), and that repeated daily use over years could contribute to cumulative body burden. Some research has found associations between PFAS exposure broadly and health outcomes such as thyroid disruption, immune effects, and certain cancers — but association is not the same as causation, and no study has isolated cosmetics alone as a cause of a specific health outcome in humans.

The honest risk level: low-to-moderate concern for occasional or short-term use, with more caution warranted for daily long-wear products used over years — particularly lip products, which carry higher risk of incidental ingestion, and waterproof eye or face products left on skin for extended periods.

Comparison: Product Types and Relative PFAS Concern

*Concern levels reflect model estimates based on available testing data and ingredient patterns, not certified lab results for every product on the market.

What Should You Do or Buy Instead?

If you want to reduce potential PFAS exposure from cosmetics, consider these steps:

• Check ingredient lists for "fluoro," "PTFE," or "perfluoro" prefixes before purchasing.
• Prioritize brands with public PFAS-free commitments, understanding these are self-reported unless third-party verified.
• Be more cautious with lip products and long-wear formulas, since these carry relatively higher exposure potential based on current data.
• Use our PFAS Finder tool to cross-reference specific products and brands against available testing and disclosure data.
• Review our methodology page to understand how we classify concern levels and where our data originates.

Bottom Line

PFAS have been detected or suspected in a meaningful share of waterproof and long-wear cosmetics, based on available testing and ingredient analysis, though not every product or brand has been independently verified. The health risk from cosmetics alone appears lower than other exposure routes like contaminated water, but repeated long-term use of certain product types may still contribute to overall PFAS body burden — an area where research is ongoing. Brands that have publicly committed to removing PFAS offer a reasonable lower-concern option, though these remain brand-stated claims rather than certified guarantees. For anyone wanting more certainty, checking ingredient labels and using independent screening tools remains the most practical current approach.

FAQ

Is all waterproof makeup guaranteed to contain PFAS?

No. Not all waterproof products contain PFAS, but based on available testing, waterproof and long-wear formulas are more likely to include fluorinated ingredients than standard formulas. Checking the ingredient list is the most reliable way to screen a specific product.

Are "PFAS-free" labels independently verified?

Not always. Many "PFAS-free" claims are brand-stated and reflect internal reformulation decisions rather than third-party lab certification. Look for named testing bodies or certifications when available for higher confidence.

Does using PFAS-containing makeup definitely cause health problems?

No single cosmetic product has been shown to directly cause a specific health outcome in humans. Some studies show associations between broader PFAS exposure and health effects like thyroid or immune changes, but association is not the same as proven causation, and cosmetics represent just one of many possible exposure sources.