Hi beautiful! Get ready to rejoice because we've got some ground-breaking news to share – New Zealand is taking a stand against harmful forever chemicals, and it's making waves in the beauty world. But before we dive into the celebration, let's talk about why this ban is such a big deal.
In the blog:
WHAT ARE PFAS
Picture this: you're diligently following your skincare routine, hoping to achieve that radiant, healthy glow. But unbeknownst to you, lurking in some of your favourite products are PFAS. These pesky chemicals have been quietly causing havoc, not only on our skin but on our overall health and the environment.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in various industries for decades due to their unique water and oil repellent properties. These chemicals can be found in a wide range of everyday products, including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging and even skincare products. Despite their usefulness in manufacturing, PFAS have garnered significant attention for their potential health and environmental risks.
WHY ARE THEY BEING BANNED?
But why all the fuss about PFAS? Well, let's break it down. These forever chemicals have been linked to a range of health issues, including hormonal disruptions, reproductive problems, and even cancer. And here's the kicker – once PFAS enter the body, they stick around for a long time. Studies have shown that these chemicals can persist in the human body for years, accumulating over time and posing a serious threat to our well-being. According to a study by the CDC, PFAS have been found in the blood of 97% of Americans.
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE BAN?
Now, here's where the plot thickens. New Zealand, known for its breathtaking landscapes and commitment to sustainability, has officially declared a ban on PFAS in cosmetic products. Yes, you read that right – they're one of the first countries to take such a bold stance against these harmful substances. Talk about leading the charge in clean beauty! With New Zealand paving the way for a PFAS-free future, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief. No more worrying about the hidden toxins in our skincare products – it's time to reclaim our beauty routines and prioritise our health.
And let's not forget about Denmark, our sustainability superhero across the globe. They've also stepped up to the plate with a comprehensive ban on all PFAS chemicals, showing the world that when it comes to protecting our health and the environment, every action counts.
HOW TO AVOID THEM IN SKINCARE
It's all well and good knowing that these are GOING to be banned in some countries (Australia isn't there yet), but in the meantime, how do you avoid them? What do you look for on labels? Here is a comprehensive list according to the FDA of what PFAS can be listed as on ingredient labels:
No | CAS NUMBER | INGREDIENT NAME |
1 | 51851377 | PERFLUOROHEXYLETHYL TRIETHOXYSILANE |
2 | 9002840 | POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE) |
3 | 934368602 | TETRADECYL AMINOBUTYROYLVALYLAMINOBUTYRIC UREA TRIFLUOROACETATE |
4 | 429674 | TRIFLUOROPROPYL CYCLOTETRASILOXANE |
5 | 999004821 | TRIFLUOROPROPYL CYCLOPENTASILOXANE |
6 | 882878480 | PERFLUORONONYL DIMETHICONE |
7 | 306945 | PERFLUORODECALIN |
8 | 163702076 | METHYL PERFLUOROBUTYL ETHER |
9 | 163702087 | METHYL PERFLUOROISOBUTYL ETHER |
10 | 69991679 | POLYPERFLUOROMETHYLISOPROPYL ETHER |
11 | 355420 | PERFLUOROHEXANE |
12 | 64577635 | TRIFLUOROACETYL TRIPEPTIDE-2 |
13 | 306912 | PERFLUOROPERHYDROPHENANTHRENE |
14 | 460731 | PENTAFLUOROPROPANE |
15 | 10442838 | HC YELLOW NO. 13 |
16 | 163702054 | ETHYL PERFLUOROBUTYL ETHER |
17 | 335273 | PERFLUORODIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANE |
18 | 379685968 | ACETYL TRIFLUOROMETHYLPHENYL VALYLGLYCINE |
19 | 999004531 | TRIFLUOROPROPYLDIMETHYL/TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE |
20 | 999004949 | TRIFLUOROPROPYL DIMETHICONE/TRIFLUOROPROPYL DIVINYLDIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER |
21 | 999001447 | TRIFLUOROMETHYL C1-4 ALKYL DIMETHICONE |
22 | 163702065 | ETHYL PERFLUOROISOBUTYL ETHER |
23 | 1805227 | PERFLUOROMETHYLCYCLOPENTANE |
24 | 999001107 | C9-15 FLUOROALCOHOL PHOSPHATE |
25 | 80977400671 | PERFLUORONONYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE/AMODIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER |
26 | 1557087305 | ACRYLATES/PERFLUOROHEXYLETHYL METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER |
27 | 115361687 | TRIFLUOROPROPYL DIMETHICONE |
28 | 999003110 | POLYPERFLUOROETHOXYMETHOXY DIFLUOROETHYL PEG PHOSPHATE |
29 | 999004438 | PENTAPEPTIDE-34 TRIFLUOROACETATE |
30 | 50285182 | PERFLUORO DIMETHYLETHYLPENTANE |
31 | 999001989 | PEG-8 TRIFLUOROPROPYL DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER |
32 | 355931 | OCTAFLUOROPENTYL METHACRYLATE |
33 | 92332257 | PERFLUOROALKYL PHOSPHATE |
34 | 88645298 | POLYPERFLUOROETHOXYMETHOXY DIFLUOROHYDROXYETHYL ETHER |
35 | 2001566556 | DIFLUOROCYCLOHEXYLOXYPHENOL |
WHAT'S NEXT
So, what's next for us skincare enthusiasts? Well, it's time to celebrate this victory for clean beauty and continue advocating for transparency and accountability in the industry. Let's support brands that share our values and prioritize natural, safe ingredients.
In the meantime, why not explore some clean, green alternatives to your favorite skincare products? From organic serums to botanical-infused creams, there are plenty of options out there to nourish your skin without the harmful effects of PFAS. Including our gorgeous whipped body butters!
So here's to a future where clean beauty reigns supreme, and forever chemicals are nothing but a distant memory. Cheers to healthier skin, a healthier planet, and the power of collective action!
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