Federal regulation on cosmetics hasn’t been updated since the adoption of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Hazardous chemicals such as phthalates, PFAS, and formaldehyde are legally used in a wide array of products from shampoo to lip gloss.

Most people assume cosmetics and personal care products are tested for safety before they land on store shelves. But the truth is that companies legally put chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm in the products we use every day. A shocking number of dangerous chemicals hide in personal care products and cosmetics under the word “fragrance.”

Certain products with toxic ingredients are used in greater quantities by people of color, resulting in a disproportionate impact. Products like skin lighteners, hair relaxers, and acrylic nails are often marketed to people of color or applied to customers by people of color and contain some of the most worrisome ingredients in cosmetics.

We CAN have safer cosmetics and personal care products!

Toxic-Free Future’s science and research, along with our policy advocacy in Washington, DC, Washington state, other states, and corporate boardrooms, have led to governments and major retailers taking action on toxic personal care products.

We are targeting the most dangerous chemicals in cosmetics, such as phthalates, PFAS, formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasers, and siloxanes, and advocating for policies in Washington state and by retailers to ban these chemicals and make sure they are replaced with safer alternatives.

TOXIC-FREE COSMETICS

Our Priorities

Implementing the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

Washington’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047), adopted into law in 2023, bans some of the most concerning chemicals put into cosmetic and personal care products, including PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde releasing agents. It is a first step in the solution to transforming the cosmetic and personal care products industry to make truly safer products.

Our Impact

Toxic-Free Future is driving major market and policy shifts to eliminate toxic chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products.

Major retailers—including Sephora, Target, and CVS—are taking action to reduce and eliminate harmful chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and parabens from makeup and personal care products, thanks in part to our research and advocacy.
In 2023, Washington state enacted the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, the strongest state law in the nation regulating toxic chemicals in beauty and personal care products. Signed by Governor Inslee, this landmark law is helping transform the global cosmetics supply chain—making products safer in Washington and across the country.