Christina Spicer  |  June 17, 2021

Category: Beauty Products

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More than half of the makeup sold in the United States may contain toxic materials linked to cancer, low birth weight, and weakened immunity, according to a study published Tuesday. 

Fifty-two percent of 231 makeup products evaluated by researchers tested positive for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to the study conducted by Notre Dame researchers and published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. PFAS are chemicals that have been linked to a host of health issues, including various cancers, incidents of low birth weight, and weakened immune systems. 

Though the study did not disclose the specific products tested, researchers say they looked at dozens of major brands that are household names. Cosmetics with the highest level of toxic PFAS reportedly include: 

  • Waterproof mascara, at 82 percent 
  • Foundations, at 63 percent 
  • Long-lasting lipstick, as 62 percent 

“PFAS is a persistent chemical. When it gets into the bloodstream, it stays there and accumulates,” Graham Peaslee, a physics professor at Notre Dame and the principal investigator of the study said, according to AP News. 

Researchers say that the products that they tested did not disclose their PFAS content and why cosmetic companies add the toxic substances to their makeup is unclear.  

“Some of it could be unintentional, due to manufacturing issues, but there are several products where the levels are so large, they had to be intentionally added for something like durability or water resistance, because that’s what PFAS do very well,” Peaslee said according to CNN 

The researchers also warned that much of the makeup that tested positive for high levels of PFAS is meant to be used around the eyes and lips, increasing the risk of exposure.  

A trade association for the cosmetics industry, the Personal Care Products Council, issued a statement in the wake of the study. 

“Our member companies take their responsibility for product safety and the trust families put in those products very seriously,” Alexandra Kowcz, the council’s chief scientist reportedly said. Kowcz acknowledged that PFAS can be found as ingredients in certain products, but asserted that the amount is subject to FDA requirements.  

“Science and safety are the foundation for everything we do,” she continued. 

However, concerns about PFAS in cosmetics have prompted legislation at the federal level.  

Introduced in the US Senate Tuesday by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and in the House by Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan, the “No PFAS in Cosmetics Act” would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop regulations that would prohibit the substance in makeup.  

“Americans should be able to trust that the products they are applying to their hair or skin are safe. To help protect people from further exposure to PFAS, our bill would require the FDA to ban the addition of PFAS to cosmetics products,” said Collins in a statement. 

Are you concerned about toxic PFAS in your makeup? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.  


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62 thoughts onMost Major Makeup Brands Test Positive For Toxic PFAS, Says Study

  1. Sylvia Williams says:

    Wow
    Add me please

  2. Jean says:

    Please add me. My daughter uses different brands as I do. What are the name of the companies?
    Thank you

  3. Christina Cooper says:

    Please add me to as I could not see out of my left eye spend thousand of dollar in testing

  4. Sandra Cecilio says:

    Please add me

  5. Vanessa White-Jones says:

    Please add me

  6. Silvana Medina says:

    I don’t see the list of makeup but I do wear many different kind of makeup
    Please add me.

  7. Carrie says:

    I don’t know if I qualify yet because I didn’t see a list of companies that can potentially cause us harm, but add me so I can see if any of the manufacturers are one’s I buy.

  8. Gina says:

    Please add. Beauty should not be at the cost of our health.

  9. Lynn says:

    Please add

  10. Angelica Romero says:

    Add me

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