PFAS

PFAS is a term describing a very large group of chemicals containing a carbon and fluorine atom linked together. There are over 4500 PFAS chemicals and they have very diverse applications from advanced technological uses in renewable energy to consumer products such as textiles, carpet, leather and paper and in industrial products such as paint and fire-fighting foam. These substances do not easily degrade in nature. As there are so many chemicals within the group, they all have very different environmental properties. High concentrations of some PFAS chemicals in our environment can have an adverse effect on the environment and our health and authorities in the UK and Europe are working to restrict the use of some PFAS substances.

The cosmetics industry cares deeply about the safety of our consumers and the environment. Suppliers and manufacturers of cosmetic ingredients and products carefully consider the ingredients used in cosmetic products from both a human safety and environmental safety perspective. In 2023, the UK and European cosmetics industry decided to voluntarily stop using PFAS ingredients in cosmetic products by December 2025. Prior to this decision, PFAS chemicals were rarely found in cosmetic products but in limited cases they could be used to make cosmetics easier to apply or more water resistant, for example. However, these concentrations of PFAS were extremely low and must be safe.