Conventional Makeup (PFAS)

Long-wear foundation, mascara and lipstick.

50Moderate burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapCosmetics labelled PFAS-free

How this score is built

100Start
81.6Chemical hazard 4 × 4.6−18.4
68Everyday exposure 4 × 3.4−13.6
50Persistence 7 × 2.6−18.2, then rounded to 50
ModerateThe band50 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	4/10	Multiple studies link PFAS exposure to adverse immune outcomes in children, and dyslipidemia is the strongest metabolic outcome; cancer evidence is limited to manufacturing locations with extremely high exposures. A review of the pathways of human exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and present understanding of health effects · J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2019 DOI 10.1038/s41370-018-0094-1 · PMID 30470793 · Abstract · read 2026-10-05
Everyday exposure	4/10	Of 231 US and Canadian cosmetics screened, foundations, mascaras and lip products most often had elevated fluorine; 29 analysed products held PFAS at 22-10,500 ng/g, mostly undisclosed on the label. Fluorinated Compounds in North American Cosmetics · Environmental Science & Technology Letters 2021 DOI 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00240 · Abstract · read 2026-10-02
Persistence	7/10	unsourced input Searched 2026-10-05: The PFAS measured here are mainly short-chain or fluorotelomer compounds; the human half-life studies found cover long-chain PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS), so none is cited.

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

Studies have detected PFAS 'forever chemicals' in many long-wear and waterproof cosmetics, applied daily right on the skin. PFAS-free lines avoid them.

Evidence strength: moderate

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Lower-exposure choices

Fragrance-Free Basic SkincareMinimal · Personal Care

All 33 personal care entries, highest burden first →