Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: State of the Art in Human Exposure

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large group of synthetic chemicals widely used since the 1950s due to useful properties such as water resistance and durability. Their stability makes them persistent environmental contaminants, often called “forever chemicals.” Thousands of PFASs exist and many of them have been linked to adverse health effects. The increase in knowledge about PFASs has led to regulations on their production and use, at least to reduce their presence in the main sources of human exposure, like food and drinking water. Other sources and exposure routes have been less explored and deserve more attention for proper risk management. Indeed, many PFASs continue to be used in numerous categories of applications. Among those that have not yet received much attention in terms of consumer awareness are personal care products (PCPs) and cosmetics. Cosmetics and PCPs represent an underexplored but potentially important exposure pathway, especially through dermal contact. Studies show that PFASs are present in various products such as foundations, mascaras, sunscreens, and lotions, sometimes even when not listed as ingredients. Biomonitoring studies also indicate associations between cosmetic use and PFAS levels in human tissues. Research remains limited and inconsistent due to the diversity of PFASs, lack of standardized methods, and scarce toxicological data. This review aims to highlight our level of knowledge on the subject, as well as data gaps, to provide guidance for future studies.