PFAS in Cosmetics: A Challenge for Product Safety
The cosmetics industry is continuously developing products with improved durability, water resistance, and texture. However, increasing regulatory and scientific attention is focused on PFAS compounds (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
Due to their exceptional stability and potential health risks, the European Union has initiated processes to restrict their use across various industries, including cosmetic products.
In such a regulatory environment, laboratory analysis of PFAS compounds is becoming essential for cosmetics manufacturers and distributors who aim to ensure compliance with EU legislation.
What are PFAS and why are they used in cosmetics?
PFAS represent a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in industry since the mid-20th century. Their chemical structure provides exceptional resistance to water, grease, and heat, which is why they are applied in many products.
In the cosmetics industry, PFAS compounds are used to improve product performance, such as:
long-lasting makeup
water resistance of mascaras and eyeliners
smooth texture and spreadability
visual skin-smoothing effects
high gloss in decorative cosmetics
Although they enhance product functionality, their persistence pos es a significant environmental and regulatory challenge.
Health and environmental risks of PFAS compounds
PFAS degrade very slowly in the environment and can accumulate in water, soil, and living organisms. Long-term exposure has been associated with potential adverse health effects, including disruptions to the endocrine system, thyroid function, and the immune system.
Due to their persistence, PFAS are often called “forever chemicals,” and their removal from the environment presents a major challenge for water treatment systems.
Analysis of PFAS compounds in cosmetic products
Detection of PFAS compounds requires advanced instrumental methods due to their chemical stability and the complexity of cosmetic matrices.
The most commonly used methods include chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry, such as UPLC-MS/MS analysis, which enables:
high sensitivity and precise compound identification
detection of very low PFAS concentrations
reliable results for regulatory compliance
This approach allows manufacturers to identify potential risks in time and ensure product safety before placing products on the market.
Reliable laboratory testing of PFAS compounds
Sample Control, a leading analytical laboratory in the region, provides accredited PFAS testing in cosmetic products using advanced instrumental methods.
Our team of experts ensures reliable analysis and supports manufacturers in achieving compliance with EU regulations.
Contact us to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of your cosmetic products.
Analysis of Inorganic Arsenic in Compost Digestate
Arsenic is present in environmental and biological samples in several chemical and oxidation forms, which determine its toxicity. While organic forms of arsenic are generally considered to be of low toxicity, inorganic arsenic represents the most significant form from the perspective of human health and environmental protection, due to its pronounced toxicity and potential for bioaccumulation.
Presence and contamination of meat with perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds
Perfluoroethyl compounds (PFAS) is a collective term for a very large group of fluorinated compounds, including oligomers and polymers, consisting of neutral and anion surface active compounds with high heat, chemical and biological inertness. Perfluorinated compounds are generally hydrophobic but also lipophobic and therefore will not accumulate in fat tissues as is usually the case with other persistent halogenated compounds. An important subgroup are (per) fluorinated organic surfactants, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctane acid (PFOA). For PFOS and PFOA, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for humans of 150 ng/kg body weight and 1.5 μg/kg body weight per day (EFSA 2008).