Does Your Makeup Contain "Forever Chemicals", and Should You Worry in 2026?

A new government review has confirmed what many consumer advocates have suspected for years, PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals," are present in a range of cosmetic products, and the health effects of that exposure remain uncertain. Here's what the FDA's findings mean for your makeup bag and how to make lower-concern choices while the science catches up.

What did the FDA report actually find?

According to WCNC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration completed a three-year study examining how PFAS chemicals used in makeup and other cosmetic products may affect the people who use them. The agency's conclusion was notably cautious, the health effects of PFAS in cosmetics are still uncertain, meaning regulators have not established a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the levels typically found in these products and specific health outcomes. That's not the same as a clean bill of health, it means more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals prized for their ability to resist water, oil, and wear. In cosmetics, they're often used in long-wear foundation, waterproof mascara, lip products, and powders to help them glide on smoothly and stay put through sweat or rain.

Who is affected by this finding?

Anyone who regularly uses long-wear or waterproof cosmetics could potentially be exposed to trace PFAS, since these chemicals are often added for texture and durability rather than listed prominently as active ingredients. Because PFAS don't break down easily in the environment or the body, repeated low-level exposure over years, through skin contact, accidental ingestion (think lip products), or inhalation of powders, is the pathway health researchers are most focused on.

Cosmetics is far from the only category where this pattern shows up. PFAS Authority's own scoring of 10,911 products across categories found that 41% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, with entire product categories, like camping tents, rain jackets, and sleeping bags, failing at a 100% rate. Cosmetics brands are not immune to the same disclosure gaps, MAC, for example, is among the brands in our database that disclose nothing about PFAS use in their products, making it difficult for shoppers to know what they're buying.

It's worth noting how these scores are built, PFAS Authority doesn't send products to a lab for chemical testing. Instead, we score items based on publicly available ingredient lists, materials disclosures, and third-party certifications. A "fail" score reflects either a confirmed PFAS ingredient or a lack of the transparency needed to rule PFAS out, full details are on our methodology page.

Why does this matter for everyday consumers?

PFAS exposure has been associated in various studies with a range of health concerns, including effects on the immune system, liver function, and hormone regulation, but these are associations observed in research, not proof that any single cosmetic product causes harm. The FDA's own three-year review landing on "uncertain effects" underscores just how early-stage this science still is for cosmetics specifically, even though PFAS in drinking water and firefighting foam have been studied more extensively.

What makes cosmetics tricky is labeling. Unlike drinking water, which is subject to enforceable limits in many states, cosmetic ingredient lists don't always disclose PFAS by name, some show up under broader terms like "fluoro" compounds or aren't disclosed at all because they're processing aids rather than intentional ingredients. That's part of why consumer advocates have pushed for stronger cosmetics disclosure rules, and why databases like ours try to fill the gap using whatever public information brands do provide.

What can you do right now?

• Check labels for red flags. Ingredients containing "fluoro," "perfluoro," or "PTFE" are common PFAS indicators, especially in waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation, and some lip products.
• Favor brands with clear disclosure. Companies that publish PFAS-free claims or third-party certifications give you more information than those that say nothing.
• Use a lookup tool before you buy. You can search specific products and brands with our product finder to see how they score on PFAS and toxin transparency before they end up in your cart.
• Don't panic, but stay informed. The FDA's finding of "uncertain" effects is a call for more research, not evidence of acute danger from occasional use.

Bottom Line

The FDA's three-year review confirms PFAS are present in some cosmetics but stops short of declaring a clear health risk, the honest answer right now is "we don't fully know yet." Given that uncertainty, and given how many product categories our own data shows failing PFAS screens, it's reasonable for consumers to favor cosmetics brands that disclose their formulations and to treat products with vague or no disclosure as lower confidence rather than automatically labeling anything "safe."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this mean my makeup is dangerous?

Not necessarily. The FDA reports the health effects of PFAS in cosmetics are uncertain, meaning there isn't enough evidence yet to say typical use causes specific harm, but it also hasn't been ruled out, which is why continued research and consumer caution both make sense.

How can I tell if my makeup contains PFAS?

Check the ingredient list for fluorinated compounds like PTFE or "perfluoro" prefixes, and look for brands that explicitly disclose their PFAS status. You can also cross-reference products using PFAS Authority's product finder, which is built from published ingredients and disclosures rather than lab testing.

Are all long-wear or waterproof cosmetics a problem?

Not all of them, but waterproof and long-wear formulas are more likely to use PFAS for durability, so they warrant a closer label check. Brands that disclose their formulations clearly generally represent lower concern than those offering no information at all.