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Ever consider what you're putting on your lashes?
Ever consider what you're putting on your lashes?
By Sophia Yu
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are what scientists call "forever chemicals." They persist, not only in the environment, but also in our bodies. Commonly found in non-stick products and packaging, they live amongst us in our everyday consumer products. Yet simultaneously, a growing body of research has established the numerous negative consequences that PFA exposure can have on the human body, including cancers, endocrine-disrupting properties, and weakened immune systems. The devastating truth about PFAs is that in this generation, no one is safe from exposure - not even if you read the ingredients list of your products.
Where can we find PFAs in everyday things?
"The devastating truth about PFAs is that in this generation, no one is safe from exposure - not even if you read the ingredients list of your products."
"The devastating truth about PFAs is that in this generation, no one is safe from exposure - not even if you read the ingredients list of your products."
Cosmetics tested for PFAs
In a concerning study out of the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters, scientists from the University of Notre Dame have discovered toxic levels of PFAs in cosmetic products.6 They tested different types of products, ranging from foundation, blushes, and concealer to mascara and lipstick, all of which excluded PFAs from their ingredients. What they found was shocking. Over 50 percent of all lip products, foundation, and eye-products were found to contain eye levels of fluoride, an indicator of PFAs. The number is 82 percent for the water-proof mascara products tested.5 Scary!
From my background working with these chemicals and treating their effects clinically, it is hard for me to justify why cosmetic companies would incorporate them into their products. PFAs have been shown to interrupt various endocrine signaling pathways regarding the endocrine system, particularly in the female reproductive system.4 Multiple studies have linked PFA exposure to menopause, low birth weight, and even cancer.2 In light of these effects, California has recently banned PFAs as part of the PFAS-Free Beauty Act.3 But according to one article, PFAs may serve to extend the shelf life of cosmetic products and in skin products, and also tend to create a shimmery and sheer appearance on the skin.5 This likely fuels the inclusion of PFAs in cosmetic products. Ironically, PFAs are known to enter the body trans-dermally, and the eyes, tear ducts, lips, and nose are particularly vulnerable areas for exposure.1 Hence the inclusion of PFA in cosmetic products is clearly a cause for concern. For consumer safety, it is important to recognize that products branded as "waterproof" or any type of smudge or sweat resistant likely incorporate PFAs into their formula.
Kim, B., Cho, HE., Moon, S.H. et al. Transdermal delivery systems in cosmetics. biomed dermatol 4, 10 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41702-020-0058-7
PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer—NCI (nciglobal,ncienterprise). (2020, October 15). [CgvArticle]. https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/pfas
PFAS Forever Chemicals Banned in California Cosmetics. (n.d.). Safe Cosmetics. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.safecosmetics.org/action-alerts/california-ban-pfas-forever-chemicals/
Rickard, B. P., Rizvi, I., & Fenton, S. E. (2022). Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and female reproductive outcomes: PFAS elimination, endocrine-mediated effects, and disease. Toxicology, 465, 153031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2021.153031
Waterproof Makeup PFAS Class Action Lawsuit. (n.d.). Seeger Weiss LLP. Retrieved March 5, 2023, from https://www.seegerweiss.com/product-liability/waterproof-makeup-pfas-lawsuit/
Whitehead, H. D., Venier, M., Wu, Y., Eastman, E., Urbanik, S., Diamond, M. L., Shalin, A., Schwartz-Narbonne, H., Bruton, T. A., Blum, A., Wang, Z., Green, M., Tighe, M., Wilkinson, J. T., McGuinness, S., & Peaslee, G. F. (2021). Fluorinated Compounds in North American Cosmetics. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 8(7), 538–544. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00240
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