Reformation Wailea One Piece Swimsuit
Skip until Reformation discloses water-resistant chemistry or switches to PFAS-free.
Reformation does not publicly disclose the water-repellent treatment chemistry on this swimsuit. Swimwear and activewear commonly use PFAS-based water-resistant coatings without third-party verification or explicit PFAS-free certification.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Patagonia Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating treatment (likely PFAS-based)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Reformation Wailea One Piece Swimsuit is made of, ingredients and materials
The Wailea One Piece is constructed from nylon blended with an elastane component (typical for stretch and recovery in swimwear). The critical unknown is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the nylon shell. Reformation has not publicly disclosed whether this coating contains PFAS-based chemistry (perfluorinated compounds) or alternatives like silicone or wax-based treatments. water-repellent coating coatings are standard in performance swimwear to reduce water absorption and improve longevity, but the chemical identity directly affects the safety profile of wear and care.
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Azo dyes (color fastness and allergenic potential)
Nylon swimwear is typically dyed with reactive or acid dyes; some azo dyes can break down into aromatic amines under chlorine or UV exposure, particularly in lower-grade fabrics. Reformation's nylon appears to be quality-grade, but the brand does not publicly certify restriction of banned azo dyes (per OEKO-TEX or similar standards), leaving a compliance gap for sensitive skin.
Elastane (spandex) leaching and degradation
Elastane-blended fabrics can release oligomers (small polymer chains) into sweat and pool water, especially when damaged or degraded. Risk is low in intact garments but increases as seams fail or fabric becomes thin; chlorine and UV accelerate breakdown. Reformation does not test or disclose elastane extraction rates.
water-repellent coating durability and migration under wear
Water-repellent coating coatings degrade with washing and wearing; fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments have been documented to leach PFAS into rinse water and skin over multiple wash cycles. The extent of migration from this specific garment is unknown without chemical testing. Non-fluorinated water-repellent coating alternatives are available but require explicit brand commitment to ensure substitution.
What’s reassuring
Antimony as polyester catalyst residue
This hazard is relevant to polyester garments; nylon-dominant blends in this swimsuit do not typically use antimony catalysts. No reported contamination in Reformation nylon items.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Modern swimwear production typically avoids formaldehyde resin finishes due to durability and washability concerns with aquatic textiles. No evidence of formaldehyde-based finishing on Reformation nylon products, and the brand has not reported its use.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Reformation markets itself as a sustainability-focused brand with commitments to responsible material sourcing, but maintains silence on the specific chemistry of water-resistant treatments across its product line. The brand has not published independent third-party test results for PFAS in finished garments, nor has it committed to PFAS-free alternatives in its water-repellent coating formulations. No major recalls or public health incidents have been linked to Reformation swimwear specifically. This silence contrasts with competitors (Patagonia, Allbirds) who have begun disclosing or eliminating PFAS-based finishes.
How it compares in its category
Premium nylon swimwear with water-repellent coating treatment is the industry standard; most high-street and luxury brands use identical or similar formulations without transparent disclosure. Some alternatives (Girlfriend Collective, Summersalt) have begun testing and certifying PFAS-free water-repellent coating or omitting water-repellent finishes entirely. The Wailea sits in a middle ground, better construction and material quality than fast-fashion options, but equal or weaker on chemical transparency than emerging competitors. Price point and style positioning are stronger than safety differentiation.
If you buy it
Rinse thoroughly in fresh water immediately after saltwater or chlorine use to remove residual chemicals and salts; this practice is standard swimwear care and does not increase PFAS leaching risk. Hang to air dry away from direct heat or sunlight, which can accelerate nylon degradation. Replace the garment if seams separate, fabric pills excessively, or elastic loses recovery, typically after 2-3 years of regular use. Store dry in a cool place; avoid prolonged storage in damp conditions, which can promote mildew and material breakdown.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Reformation has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Swimwear
Patagonia
Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
- Nylon/polyester blend with elastane (standard swimwear)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Elastane (spandex) degradation under heat or chlorine
Solid & Striped
Taylor One Piece Seersucker Plaid
- Cotton/cotton-blend seersucker plaid
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and colorfast stability
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Adidas
Women's Mexicana Florals Tie-Back Swimsuit
- Polyester/nylon swimsuit fabric, likely uncoated or standard finish
- Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More swimwear 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.