With a lot of noise and information out there, you may have missed a recent report published by the FDA; we would like to highlight it here.
Harmful chemicals can enter our bodies in a few primary ways:
- Ingestion – through what we eat, drink, or unintentionally swallow (such as lip products).
- Absorption– through direct contact with our skin.
- Inhalation – through breathing in sprays, powders, or airborne particles.
When we think about personal care, we often focus on how a product looks or feels. But understanding how ingredients interact with the body — and the environment — helps us make more informed choices.
One group of ingredients currently under discussion is PFAS — sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.” If you haven’t heard of them before, you’re not alone. But understanding them is part of becoming a more conscious consumer.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals designed to resist water, oil, and heat. They’ve been widely used in industrial applications and consumer products because they are durable and long-lasting.
In cosmetics, certain PFAS are intentionally added to:
- Improve texture and spreadability
- Create a smooth or silky finish
- Enhance shine
- Increase water resistance
- Extend wear time
They are most often found in products like:
- Eye shadow
- Foundation
- Eyeliner
- Face powders
- Lip products
- Moisturizers
From a performance standpoint, they serve a purpose. But performance is only part of the story.
The Regulatory Landscape
In the United States, cosmetic ingredients (with the exception of color additives) do not require FDA approval before going to market.
At the federal level, PFAS are not currently banned in cosmetics. However, growing environmental and health concerns have led several states to introduce restrictions.
Recent FDA analysis (as of August 2024) found:
- 51 different PFAS intentionally added to cosmetic formulations
- 1,744 cosmetic products containing PFAS
- Approximately 0.41% of registered products
While this represents a small percentage overall, certain categories — like eye and face products — are more likely to contain them.
Why the Concern?
PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment.
They persist.
They accumulate.
They travel through water systems and soil.
And over time, they can build up in the human body.
A recent safety review evaluated the 25 most commonly used PFAS in cosmetics. The findings were telling:
- 76% could not be definitively assessed due to insufficient toxicological data
- 5 were considered low concern under intended use
- 1 showed potential concern at high use levels
The most notable takeaway? For many of these substances, we simply do not have enough long-term safety data.
Uncertainty invites awareness.
And awareness invites choice.
Exposure: How It Happens
Most cosmetic exposure occurs through skin contact.
Some exposure may also happen through:
- Inhalation (powders, sprays)
- Incidental ingestion (lip products)
Risk assessments consider how substances are absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body. But when comprehensive data is lacking, it becomes difficult to draw confident long-term conclusions.
For many people, this is less about immediate alarm — and more about long-term health.
The Environmental Dimension
Even if individual exposure levels are low, environmental persistence is where PFAS raise broader questions.
When we wash our faces.
When we remove makeup.
When products are discarded.
These compounds can move through wastewater systems and into ecosystems.
Because they are resistant to breakdown, their impact can extend far beyond the bathroom counter.
And this is where beauty becomes bigger than beauty.
It becomes about responsibility.
Choosing With Intention
The goal is not fear but discernment.
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. But you can begin to:
- Read ingredient lists
- Notice fluorinated chemical names (such as PTFE)
- Support brands that prioritize transparency
- Choose formulations designed with environmental impact in mind
Every industry evolves in response to awareness. Consumer consciousness is powerful.
When we ask thoughtful questions, companies innovate.
When we choose consciously, markets shift.
A More Conscious Standard of Care
At Acadia Naturals, we believe personal care should feel good in every sense — on the skin, in the body, and in the world around us.
We believe performance and environmental respect can coexist.
We believe in working with nature — not against it.
And we believe transparency builds trust.
There is beauty in products that nourish without persistence.
Protection that doesn’t require permanence.
Formulas that support the skin while respecting the earth.
The future of personal care is not about doing less.
It’s about doing better.
Begin Your Journey of Discovery
You don’t have to know every ingredient.
You don’t have to become a chemist.
You don’t have to be perfect.
Just begin noticing.
Begin asking...email or call — ask the manufacturer directly.
Begin choosing with intention.
Reference
https://www.fda.gov/media/190319/download?attachment