PFAS Gets Into Your Body Through Your Skin Too
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 5/5/2026
You already know not to eat food off nonstick pans. But PFAS gets into your body another way too: through your skin. Moisturizer, foundation, waterproof mascara, stain-resistant clothing. A 2026 review of 37 studies confirmed that PFAS transfers from these products onto and into the skin.
What the review found
A 2026 critical review in Risk Analysis analyzed every published study on dermal PFAS exposure. Of the 37 relevant studies, 18 looked at cosmetics and personal care products, 8 examined clothing, and 6 measured exposure from dust on surfaces.
Cosmetics and clothing were the dominant dermal exposure sources. Products marketed as waterproof, water-resistant, stain-resistant, or long-lasting often contain PFAS as part of the formula or fabric treatment. When you wear those clothes or apply those products, PFAS contacts your skin for hours at a time.
How to cut dermal PFAS exposure
Check your cosmetics for PTFE (also called Teflon), polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether, or any ingredient starting with "perfluoro." These are PFAS. For clothing, look for items without water-resistant or stain-resistant treatments. OEKO-TEX certification covers some harmful chemicals, though not all PFAS.
For bedding and textiles, the swap matters. PFAS-free organic cotton doesn't need chemical treatments to feel good. Browse non-toxic home essentials including PFAS-free bedding, and check organic cotton textiles that skip the coating entirely.