FDA Releases Reporting on PFAS

United Safety Agents
7 days ago
2 min read

FDA Releases Reporting:

PFAS in Cosmetics

On December 29, 2025, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its report evaluating the potential risks associated with the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetic products. The report was issued pursuant to requirements under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) and represents the FDA's first comprehensive review of PFAS usage in U.S.-marketed cosmetics.

Based on the findings, the FDA concluded that the available data on PFAS in cosmetics remains inconclusive. To conduct the assessment, the agency relied on ingredient information submitted through MoCRA's Product Listing Registration requirement, which provided insight into which PFAS ingredients are currently used in cosmetic formulations.

The product listing data revealed that 51 PFAS ingredients were used across 1,744 cosmetic products, most commonly in eye shadows, eyeliners, face powders, foundations, and leave-on face and neck products. PFAS are typically incorporated into cosmetics to condition and smooth skin or hair, as well as to modify product texture and consistency.

For its safety review, the FDA prioritized the 25 most frequently used PFAS ingredients, which collectively accounted for more than 96% of PFAS usage in cosmetic products marketed in the United States. The most prevalent ingredient identified was polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which appeared in 490 products, representing approximately 28.1% of all PFAS-containing cosmetic products.

The agency's assessment drew upon scientific literature and data sources, including PubMed and Web of Science, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Panel, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) chemicals database. These sources were used to evaluate potential healthy risks associated with PFAS exposure and to consider exposure scenarios across different cosmetic product categories.

However, despite the breadth of sources reviewed, the FDA determined that the limited availability of data created significant uncertainties regarding the health risks of PFAS exposure through cosmetic use. As a result, the agency was unable to reach definitive conclusions on safety. The FDA stated that it will "continue to monitor emerging data on PFAS to ensure continued safety of cosmetic products."

For the cosmetics industry, the report largely maintains the status quo. In the absence of conclusive regulatory findings or restrictions, companies continue to bear responsibility for determining the safety of PFAS use in their products and for making risk-based decisions in line with existing regulatory obligations under MoCRA.

FDA's Press Release

Download the Full Report