Is Your Makeup Hiding PFAS? What to Know Before You Buy in 2025

PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals", aren't just in drinking water and firefighting foam. They're also turning up in lipstick, foundation, waterproof mascara, and other everyday cosmetics, according to a recent explainer from Consumer Notice. If you're wondering whether your makeup bag is part of the problem, here's what the research shows and what you can actually do about it.

What happened with PFAS in cosmetics?

Consumer Notice's report explains that PFAS are often added to cosmetics for their water-resistant and smoothing properties, think long-wear foundation, waterproof mascara, and "transfer-resistant" lip products. Independent studies cited in the report have found PFAS compounds in a range of cosmetic products, even when the ingredient isn't listed on the label, because PFAS can form as byproducts of manufacturing or be added to raw materials before they reach a formulator.

This isn't just a cosmetics problem. PFAS Authority's own scoring of 10,911 consumer products found that 41% failed its PFAS and toxin screen, based on published ingredients, materials, certifications, and brand disclosures rather than laboratory testing of each item. That figure spans categories from cookware to outdoor gear to personal care, and it underscores a pattern researchers keep finding, PFAS show up in far more of the products we use daily than most shoppers assume. You can see how specific products and brands score using the PFAS Authority product finder.

Who is affected by PFAS in beauty products?

Essentially, anyone who uses cosmetics regularly is a potential point of exposure, but the concern is heightened for people who use waterproof or long-wear products daily, since these categories are more likely to rely on PFAS-related ingredients for performance, according to the Consumer Notice report. Makeup is applied to skin, lips, and eyes, and some products (like lipstick and lip balm) are ingested in small amounts throughout the day, which raises questions about absorption that researchers are still working to fully understand.

Brand transparency is also part of the story. Some companies disclose little to nothing about PFAS in their products or supply chains. PFAS Authority's tracking has found that brands including Cuisinart, The North Face, Calphalon, MAC, T-fal, Nike, Adidas, and All-Clad provide no public PFAS disclosure at all, meaning consumers are left to guess, or to rely on independent screening, since the companies themselves aren't sharing that information voluntarily.

Why does this matter for your health?

PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily in the environment or, once absorbed, in the human body. Consumer Notice's report notes that health agencies and researchers have linked PFAS exposure to a range of health concerns, including effects on the immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and certain cancers. It's important to be precise here, these are associations found in population studies and animal research, not proof that any single cosmetic product causes a specific illness in any one person. Exposure from makeup is also just one small piece of a much larger PFAS exposure picture that includes water, food packaging, and household products.

Still, because PFAS accumulate over time and don't easily leave the body, repeated low-level exposure from multiple sources, including daily cosmetics, is part of what concerns scientists and regulators enough to push for stricter oversight.

What are regulators doing about PFAS in cosmetics?

According to Consumer Notice, momentum for regulation is building but remains uneven. Some states, including California and Maryland, have passed laws restricting intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics. The European Union has moved toward broader PFAS restrictions that touch cosmetics formulations. At the federal level in the U.S., the FDA has acknowledged PFAS presence in some cosmetic products but has not issued a blanket ban, leaving a patchwork of state rules and voluntary industry action rather than one uniform standard.

That patchwork is exactly why independent screening matters, without consistent federal rules, consumers are often left relying on state law, brand goodwill, or third-party evaluation to know what's really in a product.

What can you do to choose lower-concern beauty products?

You can't eliminate PFAS exposure entirely, but you can make more informed choices.

• Check labels for red-flag ingredients. Terms like "PTFE," "perfluoro," or "polyfluoro" in an ingredient list are signals of PFAS chemistry, per Consumer Notice's guidance.
• Be cautious with "waterproof" and "long-wear" claims. These performance features are more likely to rely on PFAS-related additives.
• Look up brands before you buy. Use a tool like the PFAS Authority finder to see how a product or brand scores based on published disclosures, ingredients, and certifications.
• Favor brands with clear, published disclosures. Companies that publish PFAS policies and ingredient data give you more information to work with than those that stay silent.
• Understand how scores are built. PFAS Authority's methodology explains how products are evaluated from public data rather than lab testing, which is a useful distinction when comparing sources of information.

Bottom Line

PFAS in cosmetics is a real and growing concern flagged by researchers, journalists, and regulators alike, but it's one part of a much bigger PFAS exposure landscape. No cosmetic product can be flatly called "safe" from PFAS without full ingredient transparency and testing, but consumers can meaningfully lower their exposure risk by scrutinizing labels, favoring transparent brands, and using independent screening tools like PFAS Authority's finder before adding a new product to their routine.

FAQ

Do all waterproof cosmetics contain PFAS?

Not necessarily, but Consumer Notice's report notes that waterproof and long-wear formulas are more likely to use PFAS-related ingredients for their water- and oil-resistant properties. Checking the ingredient list for fluorinated compounds is a reasonable first step.

Can PFAS in makeup be absorbed through skin?

Researchers are still studying how much PFAS from topical cosmetics is absorbed into the body compared to other exposure routes like water or food. Some absorption through skin and mucous membranes (such as lips) is considered possible, but the extent is an active area of research, not a settled fact.

How can I find out if my favorite brand discloses PFAS use?

Start by checking the brand's own sustainability or ingredient transparency pages, then cross-reference with independent tools such as the PFAS Authority finder, which scores products based on publicly available ingredients, materials, and disclosures.