Istafa Ali
Major beauty brands Urban Decay, L’Oréal, Revolution and Inglot are offering make-up in the UK containing “forever chemicals”.
These PFAS chemicals are toxic to humans as well as to animals. Historically, they were added to items to extend their shelf life, enhance the finish, and retain the colour of eyeshadows and lipsticks. But they are still harmful when applied to human skin.
PFAS, which stands for polyfluoroalkyl substances, are oil and water resistant, making them extremely important in the cosmetics sector.
Many brands are now labelled “PFAS-free” due to mounting evidence of these chemicals detrimental, environmental and health effects. As every human skin is different and sensitive, so such chemicals can be very hazardous.
Excessive exposure of these chemicals has been linked to cancer, birth abnormalities, and thyroid problems. Although research into the effects of lesser amounts of exposure, such as in make-up, is underway, scientists and lawmakers are worried even at these levels since PFAS may accumulate in the environment.
Germany, together with four other European countries, will present a request to the EU on Friday. This will be done to ban the manufacturing and use of PFAS due to worries about its build-up and human exposure.
These forever chemicals are found in tens of thousands of ingredients lists from the most popular UK brands and product known. To include PFAS: mascara, eyeshadow, foundation, and lipsticks. Revolution, Inglot, and Urban Decay – a L’Oréal subsidiary – products were discovered to contain the PFAS PTFE.
Prof. Miriam Diamond, an environmental scientist at Toronto University whose team has previously investigated contamination in US cosmetics, told the that customers should be concerned about low-level contamination in items due to the lack of long-term hazardous consequences evidence.
Examples of included products having these chemicals are: Relove High Key Shadow Palette, Revolution Power Shadow Palette 90’s Baby, Urban Decay NAKED Palettes 2, Urban Decay NAKED Palettes 3, Urban Decay Smoked Palette, and Inglot X Maura Beautiful Storm Eyeshadow Palette.
