Did you know that your favorite mascara might have chemicals that could cause cancer? Well, it’s not just mascara. These chemicals can be found in many types of makeup, including foundations, eyeliners, lipsticks, and more. They are called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are used in makeup to make it waterproof and go on smoothly. But now, more people are worried about whether PFAS are safe to use in cosmetics. Are there? Let’s explore this topic further.
What Are The Harmful Ingredients Contained in PFAs?
PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contain chains of carbon atoms bonded to fluorine atoms. They have carbon-fluorine bonds that are really tough to break, which is why they stick around in the environment and in the body for a long time. This persistence means even small amounts can build up and cause problems over time.
What is The Problem With PFAs?
According to Alessio Filippo Peritore, et al., “Epidemiologists and toxicologists around the world have labeled PFAS as “forever chemicals” precisely because of their ability to persist over time in the hydrosphere.” In that same study by Alessio, it was stated that PFAs can have “multiple adverse health effects, such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility problems, and cancer.” In this section, we’re going to learn how PFAs can affect overall health.
Using makeup with PFAs allows these chemicals to build up in your body over time. The prolonged stay of PFAs in your body can increase the risk of its side effects on your health, like cancer, and organ damage. The body’s hormones are affected by the prolonged stay of PFAs, which can lead to hormonal imbalance. When the hormones are imbalanced, it can cause problems with fertility (having kids, and delays in how children grow) and thyroid disease.
Furthermore, PFAs also weaken the body’s immune system. A strong immune system is needed to fight diseases and infections. Thus, when PFAs get into the body, it weakens the ability of the body to fight back against illness; which means you’ll get sick more often than usual.
Besides makeup products, PFAs can also be found in cookware, food packaging, cleaning products, etc. These chemicals are tagged as the “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment. Once released, they can persist for many years, accumulating in water, soil, and even in our bodies.
However, regarding PFAs in makeup, scientists are still learning about how dangerous PFAs are, which is why there are more rules being made to limit these chemicals.
How Are PFAs Included in Your Makeup?
As mentioned earlier, sometimes, companies add them on purpose to make products water-resistant or go on smoothly. Other times, they get in as impurities during production.
It’s tough to tell if a makeup product has PFAs because there are no strict rules for labeling these chemicals. This means you can’t always know if one of your favorite products has PFAs just by looking at the label. But here are some examples of products that may contain PFAs.
- Waterproof mascara that doesn’t smudge easily.
- Long-lasting lipsticks that stay on all day.
- Foundations that are sweat-proof or water-resistant.
- Long-wear or waterproof eyeliners.
- High coverage, long-lasting concealers.
How Can You Protect Yourself From PFAs?
Avoid ingredients in makeup that end in “-fluoro” or “-perfluoro“. These endings usually mean the product contains PFAS. Websites like the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database can tell you which makeup brands are PFAS-free and safe to use. They give details about product safety and what ingredients are in them. Have you heard about “mineral makeup”? Mineral makeup often uses natural ingredients and is less likely to have synthetic chemicals like PFAS.
Bottom Line
You need to know about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in makeup because they can build up in your body and lead to serious health problems like cancer or hormonal imbalance. To avoid them, check makeup labels for ingredients that end in “-fluoro” or “-perfluoro”. Use websites like the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database to find makeup that doesn’t have PFAS. You might also want to try mineral makeup or brands that use natural ingredients.
