Holmenkol Universal Pink Ski Wax
Ski wax unlikely to contain PFAS. Brand offers no assurance.
This traditional hydrocarbon wax shows no PFAS signals or water-repellency marketing. Holmenkol makes no PFAS statement.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Hydrocarbon wax blend
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Holmenkol Universal Pink Ski Wax is made of, ingredients and materials
Holmenkol Universal Pink is a hydrocarbon wax blend formulated for all-temperature ski base conditioning. Hydrocarbon waxes are mineral-derived, refined paraffin or microcrystalline products with no known volatile organics or regulated toxic additives in their base composition. The "pink" designation refers to color additives only, not formulation class; the wax melts onto ski bases and hardens as a protective layer without systemic absorption risk during normal use.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Hydrocarbon volatility and inhalation
Ski-wax application via hot iron can release mineral oil vapor. Risk is low with proper ventilation and brief exposure, but sensitive individuals may experience respiratory irritation during application.
Skin irritation from wax contact
Undiluted mineral waxes can cause mild skin irritation or temporary dermatitis in sensitive users if contacted directly. Risk is minimal during normal application; hand and eye contact should be avoided.
PFAS
Hydrocarbon waxes are chemically distinct from fluorocarbon waxes and unlikely to contain PFAS as a base ingredient. However, Holmenkol provides no public assurance; trace PFAS contamination in mineral precursors is theoretically possible but unconfirmed.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No recalls or testing has flagged lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Holmenkol waxes. Pink coloring is standard synthetic pigment; no evidence of contamination is on record for this brand or product line.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Holmenkol is a German ski-maintenance specialist with no publicized recalls or safety alerts tied to their wax products. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed chemical composition or pursue third-party certifications (e.g., EU Ecolabel, bluesign) for their waxes. Parent company Swix Group acquired Holmenkol in 2019; Swix has stated commitment to reducing PFAS in their ski products but offers no specific assurance for the Universal Pink line.
How it compares in its category
Hydrocarbon waxes (paraffin-based) like this Universal Pink are the commodity standard in ski maintenance and carry lower chemical-risk profiles than fluorocarbon waxes, which have been linked to PFAS exposure. Many competing brands (Toko, Swix, Maxxis) offer similar all-temperature hydrocarbon blends with identical or minimal additional disclosure. The lack of transparency is typical for this category; few ski-wax manufacturers publish full ingredient lists or third-party testing.
If you buy it
Apply wax by hot-iron application (120-160 degrees Celsius) in a ventilated space; avoid inhaling steam or fumes, and do not apply to ski bases hotter than recommended by the product label. Wax buildup lasts 5-15 ski days depending on snow conditions; scrape bases between coatings to prevent excessive accumulation and reduced glide. Store wax in a cool, dry place away from children and pets; it is not toxic if swallowed in small amounts but is not food-grade and should not be ingested intentionally.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Holmenkol has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Holmenkol Universal Pink Ski Wax?
- hydrocarbon ski wax (non-fluorinated)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and mineral oil vapor
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- hydrocarbon wax blend
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Thermal degradation and fume emission
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Wax-based ski base, fluorine-free formulation
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Inhalation of wax particulates and volatiles during application
More ski & sports wax 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.