Youth to the People · Moisturizer
Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream
Lower concern; typical cosmetic cream unlikely to contain PFAS, but brand does not disclose.
Youth to the People's Polypeptide-121 Future Cream is a standard water-based moisturizer with no obvious PFAS-prone ingredients (no waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick coatings needed). The brand makes no public PFAS disclosure or claims.
Shop Youth to the People on Amazon →Material
Water-based cream with peptide complex (likely glycerin, emollients, humectants)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a water-based emulsion centered on a peptide complex (polypeptide-121) mixed with humectants like glycerin and standard cosmetic emollients. Water-based creams are inherently lower-risk than oil-based or occlusive formulations because they lack the conditions that encourage bacterial overgrowth or rancidity. The peptide component itself is a synthetic short-chain amino acid assembly with no known dermal toxicity at cosmetic concentrations; it functions as a humectant and film-former rather than a penetrating active.
The brand's record and disclosure
Youth to the People is a contemporary clean-beauty brand positioned around minimal synthetic additives and transparency. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or avoidance policies in available materials, which is typical for smaller prestige cosmetic houses. No major safety recalls or regulatory actions are on record for this product line. The brand has not achieved third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, MADE SAFE) that would signal independent hazard screening.
How it compares in its category
Peptide-based moisturizers are a mainstream prestige category with similar hazard profiles to other water-based creams. This product sits in the mid-to-premium price segment where formulation oversight is generally tighter than mass-market alternatives, but without the regulatory friction of prescription actives. Compared to retinol or vitamin C creams, peptide formulations carry lower irritancy risk and no photosensitivity warnings.
If you buy it
Perform a patch test on inner arm or behind ear for 48 hours before full facial use, as fragrance and preservative systems are common sensitizers in this category even in clean brands. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight and heat; water-based creams can support mold if the seal is compromised or the product is contaminated with water during use. Discontinue if redness, itching, or burning appears. Replace if the product develops visible mold, separation, or off-odor; shelf life is typically 12-24 months unopened.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed composition)
Youth to the People formulations typically include fragrance or essential oils not broken down on the label. Fragrance is a leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis in cosmetics; individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance intolerance should request the full fragrance ingredient list from the brand or perform a patch test.
Preservative system contaminants (formaldehyde releasers)
Water-based creams require antimicrobial preservation; common systems (methylisothiazolinone, imidazolidinyl urea) can release trace formaldehyde over product life. This product's preservative type is not disclosed on the label. Exposure risk is low at cosmetic application levels but higher for sensitive facial skin with compromised barrier.
Bacterial or fungal colonization if seal is broken
Water-based emulsions are hospitable to microbial growth if contaminated with water or exposed to warm, humid conditions. Jar packaging (if used) increases recontamination risk versus pump or tube formats. Users should never introduce water into the container and should refrigerate if used in humid climates.
Heavy metal contamination in pigments (if tinted)
This product appears to be a colorless or lightly tinted cream. No tinting pigments are listed on the label, so lead or cadmium contamination in colorants is not a concern. If a future formulation adds mineral pigments, independent testing would be warranted.
1,4-dioxane as manufacturing byproduct
Certain surfactants and emulsifiers used in water-based creams (e.g., polysorbates) can carry trace 1,4-dioxane as a processing contaminant. Youth to the People does not disclose distillation or purification steps to remove this solvent. Risk is low at typical cosmetic use rates but is not quantified by the brand.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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Herbivore Botanicals
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Herbivore Botanicals
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⚠Risky category by default
More moisturizer grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.