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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and alternatives in cosmetics: report on commercial availability and current uses
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Researchers reviewed alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetic products, finding that technically and economically viable substitutes are widely available for functions like conditioning, emulsifying, and water resistance, though replacing PFAS typically requires complete product reformulation rather than simple drop-in swaps.
This report gathers information on alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).in cosmetic products, focusing on their commercial availability, current uses, market penetration, feasibility, effectiveness, and cost. PFASs provide a wide range of functions in cosmetic products, acting as hair and skin conditioning agents, emulsifiers, stabilisers, oil and water-resistant agents, lubricants, bulking agents and/or oil-resistant surfactants. Technically and economically feasible alternatives to intentionally used PFASs in cosmetic products are widely available on the market, which implies a high substitution potential. However, substituting PFASs in cosmetics often requires the entire product reformulation to provide the same functionalities to the product, and like-for-like ‘drop-in’ replacements are unlikely to happen.
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What Do We Know About Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)? Issues, Challenges, Regulations, and Possible Alternatives
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This review distinguishes between low-molecular-weight PFAS compounds, which are toxic, mobile, and bioaccumulative, and high-molecular-weight fluoropolymers classified as low-concern, while surveying the evolving regulatory landscape in Europe and the US and exploring potential alternatives as restrictions tighten globally.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyls used as cosmetic ingredients - Qualitative study of 765 cosmetic products
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A study of 765 cosmetic products found 11 different per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, used as ingredients, with PTFE and perfluorodecalin being the most common. Makeup products were the most likely to contain these chemicals, which can potentially enter the body through the skin. While focused on PFAS rather than microplastics, both are persistent synthetic pollutants found in consumer products, and PTFE (Teflon) is itself a type of microplastic when present as fine particles.
Are cosmetics a significant source of PFAS in Europe? product inventories, chemical characterization and emission estimates
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Analysis of the European cosmetics ingredient database identified approximately 170 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance structures used in cosmetics in the European Economic Area, providing the first estimate of PFAS emissions from cosmetics use in the region.
Synthesis of Water-Dispersible Poly(dimethylsiloxane) and Its Potential Application in the Paper Coating Industry as an Alternative for PFAS-Coated Paper and Single-Use Plastics
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Researchers synthesized water-dispersible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and evaluated its potential as a delivery agent and surface-treatment compound in cosmetic and biomedical applications. The water-dispersible PDMS formulations showed stable performance and could enable silicone-based functionality in aqueous formulations without conventional solvents.
PFAS in Drinking Water: Risk Factor for Human Life, Modern Sources of Pollution, Methods of Control and Approaches to Water Purification (review)
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A comprehensive review of PFAS contamination in drinking water sources documents their widespread detection in rivers, groundwater, soils, and even military ammunition, highlighting carcinogenic, immunotoxic, endocrine-disrupting, and organ-damaging properties alongside the limitations of current detection and removal methods. This is directly relevant to microplastic research because PFAS chemicals are key components of many plastic formulations and readily adsorb to microplastic surfaces, making microplastics a vector for PFAS co-exposure via drinking water.
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