Safety Assessment of Polyfluorinated Polymers as Used in Cosmetics

Int J Toxicol. 2023 Dec;42(3_suppl):144S-161S. doi: 10.1177/10915818231208647.

Abstract

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 12 polyfluorinated polymers in cosmetic products; most of these ingredients have the reported function of film former in common. However, PTFE, the only ingredient that is reported as currently used in cosmetics, functions as a bulking agent and slip modifier, but not as a film former. The Panel reviewed data relevant to the safety of these ingredients under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations, and concluded that PTFE and Hexafluoropropylene/Tetrafluoroethylene Copolymer are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment; the data are insufficient to determine the safety of the 4 fluorinated-side-chain polymers and 6 fluorinated polyethers.

Keywords: Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-23 Methacrylate/Perfluorooctyl Ethyl Acrylate Copolymer; Acrylates/Perfluorohexylethyl Methacrylate Copolymer; Behenyl Methacrylate/Perfluorooctylethyl Methacrylate Copolymer; C6-14 Perfluoroalkylethyl Acrylate/HEMA Copolymer; Hexafluoropropylene/Tetrafluoroethylene Copolymer; PEG-10 Acrylate/Perfluorohexylethyl Acrylate Copolymer; PTFE; Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoroethyl PEG Diisostearate; Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoroethyl PEG Ether; Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluorohydroxyethyl Ether; Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoromethyl Ether; Stearyl Methacrylate/Perfluorooctylethyl Methacrylate Copolymer.

MeSH terms

  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Cosmetics* / toxicity
  • Polymers* / toxicity
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Cosmetics
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene