TL;DR
- No PFAS at Less.More.Skin: We don't use PFAS due to their known health risks.
- Widespread Use: Many skincare products still contain PFAS despite awareness of their dangers.
- Reasons for Use: PFAS are used for water-repellent properties in various products.
- Health Risks: PFAS disrupt hormones, increase cancer risk, and remain in the body over time.
- Environmental Impact: These chemicals persist in the environment, affecting water, soil, and ecosystems.
- Regulatory Delays: Despite recommendations to phase out PFAS by 2025, they remain in many products.
- Our Stance: We believe using PFAS is irresponsible and unnecessary.
Less.More.Skin: PFAS-Free Skincare - Why Do Others Still Use Them?
At Less.More.Skin, our products are completely free of PFAS. We've never used and never will use these harmful chemicals, as their risks have been well-known for a long time. So why are they still found in so many skincare products on the market? It's encouraging that these concerns are being raised more frequently, especially after recent media investigations into PFAS. Aftonbladet recently reported on a study that found PFAS in many popular products after testing 43 common beauty items sold in Sweden. Given what we now know, how can companies continue to use PFAS in their products? Why isn’t the EU taking stronger regulatory action?
What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of highly fluorinated, synthetic chemicals that are extremely persistent in the environment. Known as "forever chemicals," they are used in a variety of products and have sparked intense debate worldwide. Their presence in the cosmetics industry is particularly concerning.
Why are PFAS Used?
PFAS are primarily valued for their water-repellent properties in products like firefighting foam, water-resistant clothing, and non-stick cookware. Unfortunately, they are also used in cosmetics to enhance water resistance and longevity. These chemicals can be found in waterproof mascaras and foundations, as well as face creams, masks, eyeliners, hair oils, shaving foams, powders, serums, and eyeshadows. However, the benefits come with hidden costs.
Hormonal Disruption and Cancer Risks
PFAS can disrupt the body's hormonal system, leading to various health problems. Exposure to PFAS has been shown to affect thyroid function, reproduction, and increase the risk of certain cancers. These effects can occur even at low exposure levels, common with daily use of cosmetics. The body does not eliminate these chemicals; they accumulate over time, just as they do in the environment.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of PFAS is equally severe. These forever chemicals do not break down naturally and accumulate in water, soil, and living organisms. This accumulation can have extensive effects on ecosystems and human health through contaminated water and food over a very long time. In December 2023, the municipal water company in Ronneby was ordered by the Supreme Court to pay damages to those affected by PFAS-contaminated drinking water. This raises pertinent questions about the responsibility of companies that continue to use PFAS despite knowing their health hazards.
Known Dangers Since the 1960s
Research by 3M and DuPont in the 1960s showed that PFAS chemicals posed health risks. By the mid-1970s, 3M knew that PFAS accumulated in Americans' blood. In the 1980s, both 3M and DuPont linked PFAS to cancer and found elevated cancer rates among their workers.
Phase-Out Only Now
The European industry body, Cosmetics Europe (CE), and the Swedish Cosmetics and Hygiene Suppliers Association (KoHF) have recommended that cosmetic manufacturers phase out and stop marketing products containing intentionally added PFAS by December 31, 2025. However, they are still present in many products. Aftonbladet's November 2023 investigation found the most products with PFAS listed in their ingredients came from the French L'Oréal group. L'Oréal claimed to have stopped using PFAS in 2020, yet many products still for sale contain PFAS. The company also stated that it is difficult to determine how long these products will remain on the market. This highlights another downside of the traditional skincare industry, where large volumes can be produced with long shelf lives.
Our Commitment: No PFAS, Ever
How can substances known since the 1960s to cause negative health effects still be legally used? These are questions we grapple with. Customers often ask if we use PFAS in our products. The simple answer is no, we would never use these substances in our formulations. The bigger question is, given our current knowledge, why wait until the end of 2025 to regulate PFAS use and continue using it in products? This feels not only outdated but directly irresponsible.