Why avoid PFAS in your beauty products?

In our quest to improve our quality of life and comfort, we often resort to a multitude of products from non-stick coatings in our kitchens to the waterproof textiles we wear.

However, behind this apparent modernity lie substances of potential concern for our health and our environment, including PFAS .

There are serious concerns about their persistence in the environment and their ability to accumulate in living organisms , including humans. By better understanding these ubiquitous but often overlooked substances, we will be able to better evaluate the choices we make as consumers and the policies needed to protect our health and our environment .

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large family of more than 10,000 chemicals created by humans in the 1950s. They were developed to provide water and fire resistance properties and are now omnipresent in our daily lives. They are found in food packaging, textiles, frying pans, and even cosmetics.

Considered as " eternal pollutants ", these substances are receiving more and more media attention due to the disastrous consequences they cause on health and the environment.

PFAS are used in some cosmetic products such as makeup powders, mascaras, anti-aging skincare products and foundations to extend their durability, preserve their color and make them water-resistant.

Their presence in a cosmetic product can be checked by reading the INCI list of products. Commonly used PFAS include:

• PTFE
• Perfluorodecalin
• Perfluorononyl Dimethicone
• Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether
• Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
• Perfluorohexylethyl Triethoxysilane
• Perfluorohexane
• Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoroethyl PEG Phosphate

PFAS feature carbon-fluorine bonds , known for their stability and resistance to degradation. This characteristic makes them extremely persistent in the environment, where they can be transported over vast distances, contaminating water, air and soil.

Beyond their presence in cosmetic products, plastic microparticles from general pollution also contribute to this problem.

Plastic packaging , particularly that used in the cosmetics industry, degrades into microscopic particles that eventually end up in oceans and inland waters through wastewater treatment systems.

Several studies have also recently confirmed that microplastics are now everywhere and are now also found in the human body. PFAS do not break down easily in the human body and tend to accumulate, posing serious health risks. Studies have shown that these substances can:

• Cause neurological disorders like autism and hyperactivity
• Affect the immune system , reducing the ability to fight infections.
• Disrupt thyroid function , leading to hormonal imbalances .
• Contribute to fertility problems and complications during pregnancy .
• Increase the risk of certain cancers , including kidney and testicular cancer .
• Cause liver disease and increased cholesterol levels .
• Affect the development of children , leading to growth delays and behavioral disorders .

Research found that significant concentrations of PFAS were present in the blood of 100% of pregnant women tested. The results also show a correlation between high levels of PFAS and lower birth weight as well as small head circumference in newborns.

• Read the INCI list : Check the ingredients of cosmetic products to identify the presence of PFAS.
• Opt for certified organic cosmetics: PFAS are completely prohibited in organic cosmetics.
• Choose transparent brands: Look for brands that commit to not using PFAS in their products.