Toxic Beauty: When Your Makeup Makes You Sick

Why PFAS are dangerous, my list of beauty brands that don't contain them, and beware of "Green Beauty" products that do!

I wear makeup every day (well, almost… maybe not while climbing a summit in Nepal, although…). Primer, foundation, blush, setting powder, lip liner, lipstick, gloss for a shiny finish, kohl, and brow powder. Among these products, many often contain PFAS, harmful compounds nicknamed “forever chemicals.

What are PFAS?

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemical compounds used since the 1940s. These "forever chemicals" are found in many everyday products, including cosmetics, due to their resistance to water, grease, and stains.

Are they allowed?

Yes, PFAS are allowed in many countries, although their use is increasingly controversial. Some regions are beginning to impose restrictions due to growing concerns about their impact on health. What's shocking is that we know how dangerous these chemicals are, yet commercial interests are too strong to remove them completely from the market.

Are they dangerous?

Yes, PFAS are considered dangerous to health (yet THEY ARE STILL ALLOWED! Unbelievable).

They are linked to various health issues, including:

• Cancer,

• Fertility disorders,

• Thyroid disease,

• Obesity,

• Liver disease.

Their main danger lies in their persistence: they don't break down easily and accumulate in the body over time. It's no coincidence they are called "forever chemicals."

Why are they used in makeup?

PFAS are used in makeup to make products long-lasting, waterproof, and durable. For example, they are often found in waterproof mascaras, long-lasting lipsticks, shiny glosses, and foundations.

Is there a maximum allowable level?

Currently, there is no universal standard for the maximum allowed levels of PFAS in cosmetics. However, some regulators are starting to closely monitor their use.

In fact, given their health dangers, logic would suggest that there shouldn't be a maximum threshold but rather that the product should be outright banned.

The case of Teflon

Teflon, known for its use in non-stick cookware, is a type of PFAS.

It is sometimes used in cosmetics for its smoothing and resistant properties. We'll discuss the dangers of Teflon in cooking in another post, but it's also present in some makeup products, making it especially dangerous if found in lipstick or gloss (Why? The answer is in the next few lines).

Did you know?

It's estimated that a woman can ingest up to 3 kilos of lipstick over her lifetime, highlighting the importance of choosing products without harmful substances like PFAS.

How to avoid PFAS?

• Opt for cosmetics labeled "PFAS-free,"

• Avoid long-lasting and waterproof products,

• Research the ingredients of the brands you use.

My list of PFAS-free brands