Regulatory & Safety Watch: PFAS in Cosmetics PFAS (과불화화합물) 규제 강화

PFAS ('forever chemicals') are under growing regulatory scrutiny, and several markets are moving to restrict or phase them out of cosmetics. They appear mainly in some long-wear color and texture-enhancing products, less so in core Korean skincare. This is an educational overview of an evolving theme, not legal advice.

The concept

PFAS are a large family of persistent synthetic compounds nicknamed 'forever chemicals' for their environmental persistence. Regulators in the EU, US states, and elsewhere have increased scrutiny and are moving toward restrictions or phase-outs in some cosmetic uses. We summarize this well-known, evolving direction in general terms without citing specific statutes or dates, and present it as education rather than legal or safety advice.

Why it intersects with Korean beauty

In cosmetics, PFAS have historically appeared mostly in certain long-wear makeup, foundations, and texture-modifying products rather than in core hydrating skincare like essences and serums. Korean skincare's focus on lightweight hydration, cica, and snail mucin means many staple K-beauty products are outside the typical PFAS conversation, though formulations vary and the ingredient list is the real source of truth.

How to use this as a shopper

If you want to avoid PFAS, learn common related INCI names (many contain 'fluoro' or 'perfluoro') and scan long-wear products especially. Rules differ by market and are changing, so today's formulas may already be reformulating. For authoritative, current information, rely on official regulatory bodies rather than this educational summary.

Try the free tools

✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.