FDA Reports Over 50 PFAs Ingredients Intentionally Added to 1,700 Personal Care Products
January 15, 2026 | Source: EWG | by Alexa Friedman, Ph.D. and David Andrews, Ph.D.
Hundreds of personal care products people use every day may contain the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to a Food and Drug Administration report.
As of 2024, more than 50 PFAS ingredients were used in almost 1,700 unique products, the report finds. The ingredients are added to cosmetics with claims of improving product texture, durability and water resistance and enhancing skin-smoothing or shine effects.
The report shows many Americans could be applying products with PFAS ingredients to their face, eyes and skin daily, sometimes multiple times a day.
PFAS are toxic chemicals linked to many health harms, even at very low doses, including suppression of the immune system and reduced vaccine effectiveness, increased risk of cancer and harm to fetal development.