A new analysis from Consumer Reports says everyday beauty staples, including waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation, certain hair dyes and fragrances, are turning up with ingredients linked to cancer risk, hormone disruption and other health concerns. The findings stack on top of recent federal data showing that so-called “forever chemicals” and other problematic ingredients can make basic grooming a quiet route of exposure. For St. Louis shoppers who rely on long-wear or water-resistant formulas, it may be time to start reading those labels a lot more closely.
What Consumer Reports found
Consumer Reports, which licensed data from ingredient databases including Clearya and SkinSafe, flagged PFAS chemicals in waterproof and long-wear makeup and highlighted coal-tar dyes, undisclosed "fragrance" that can mask phthalates, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives as key concerns, according to Consumer Reports. The organization advises choosing products labeled paraben-free and formaldehyde-free and sticking with reputable retailers to cut the chances of picking up contaminated or counterfeit items.
Why PFAS matter
The Food and Drug Administration, in a congressionally mandated report on PFAS in cosmetics released in December 2025, identified more than 50 PFAS ingredients intentionally added to nearly 1,700 products and noted that toxicological data are limited for many of them, according to FDA. Environmental health groups say PFAS have been linked to immune suppression, reproductive and developmental harms and increased cancer risk, and they are calling for clearer disclosure and stronger rules; EWG summarized the agency’s findings and the concerns raised.
How to cut your exposure
Consumer Reports says even small tweaks can dial down the levels of some chemicals in the body fairly quickly, such as swapping long-wear items for simpler formulas, skipping products that list only "fragrance" on the label and choosing options that are clearly marked paraben-free and formaldehyde-free, according to Consumer Reports. The report also points shoppers toward vetted databases and label-scanning apps as quick tools to check products before they land in a shopping basket.
Regulatory backdrop and what’s changing
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, or MoCRA, requires facility registration and product listing that gave the FDA a clearer view of PFAS use in cosmetics, but it still does not mandate premarket safety testing for most cosmetic ingredients, according to FDA. Several states have moved more aggressively to limit PFAS in personal care items, creating a patchwork of regulations that could push manufacturers to reformulate products sold nationwide.
Bottom line for St. Louis shoppers
Local viewers got a fresh reminder about the Consumer Reports findings when St. Louis’ NBC affiliate broke down the national report for area shoppers and urged people to check labels more carefully, according to KSDK. For anyone worried about specific ingredients, experts suggest avoiding products that list only "fragrance," looking for third-party verification on safer formulations and using label-scanning tools before committing to a new beauty favorite.
