Reformation Wailea One Piece Swimsuit | Black | XL
Lower-concern choice; standard swimwear fabric with no known PFAS triggers.
This swimsuit uses nylon and elastane, common swim textiles without inherent PFAS red flags like water-resistant coatings or Teflon-family coating. Reformation does not disclose PFAS practices, and no lab data or independent certifications confirm PFAS absence.
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 swimwear (likely nylon/spandex)
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
This swimsuit is a nylon-spandex blend, the industry standard for stretch swimwear. Nylon itself is chemically stable in normal use and does not leach monomers or plasticizers into skin or water during swimming. Spandex (polyurethane elastomer) provides stretch recovery and is similarly inert during wear. The dyeing and finishing processes are the primary concern area in swimwear, not the base fibers.
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.
Heavy metals
Nylon swimwear requires acid or reactive dyes; some manufacturers use azo dyes or include heavy metal mordants. No specific testing or recalls are on record for Reformation swimwear, but the brand does not disclose dye restrictions or testing standards publicly.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-based resins are used in some textile finishes for wrinkle resistance and shape retention. Reformation does not publicly confirm or exclude their use in this product; skin contact during wear is minimal if present.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding during washing
All synthetic swimwear sheds microfibers during washing, including nylon and spandex. The shedding volume is typical for the category and not a use-phase safety hazard, but contributes to aquatic microplastic pollution.
Skin irritation or sensitization from dyes or finishes
Individuals with sensitive skin or dye allergies may experience contact dermatitis, particularly on first wear if residual dyes remain. Pre-wash rinsing mitigates this risk substantially. No specific allergen profile for this product is documented.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Antimony in polyester-blended components
This product is nylon/spandex, not polyester; antimony catalysts are not used in nylon or spandex production. Not a concern for this specific item.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Reformation markets sustainability and transparency but does not publicly disclose detailed chemical testing or restricted substance lists for individual garments. The brand has faced criticism for vague ESG claims but no major chemical contamination or safety recalls have been documented for their swimwear. No third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, GOTS) are commonly advertised on their swimwear line, limiting independent verification of dye and finishing safety.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mainstream premium swimwear tier. Compared to fast-fashion swimwear, Reformation typically sources from more established mills with better process controls. Compared to high-end athletic brands (e.g., Speedo, Lululemon) offering OEKO-TEX certification, Reformation's transparency gap is notable but not unusual for fashion brands. Typical mid-to-premium nylon swimwear carries similar chemical exposure profiles.
If you buy it
Rinse the swimsuit in cool water before first wear to remove loose dyes and finishes. Wash in cold water with mild detergent after each use to extend life and prevent color bleeding onto skin. Air dry away from direct heat and sunlight to avoid spandex degradation. Replace when elastic loses recovery (typically 1-2 years of regular use) or when seams begin to fail, not due to chemical accumulation risk.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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
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.