Forever Chemicals - What they are, why they suck! – By Kind

Hi friends,

Let’s talk about something that sounds scary but really just needs some honest unpacking: forever chemicals and EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals). You may have heard these terms related to cookware, cleaning products or food but what’s the deal with them in skincare? Let’s break it down…

Forever chemicals is a common nickname for a group pf substances called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These substances are used in products everywhere from non-stick cooking pans to waterproof mascara because they are extremely resistant to heat, water, and oil. That's also why PFAS substances can persist and stay in the environment (and our bodies - yikes!) for a long time, hence the use of the term "forever."

EDCs, or endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are ingredients that could disrupt your hormones by mimicking them or blocking natural hormones. EDCs could be sneaking into personal care products and cosmetics because of how commonly they are used in preservatives, fragrance ingredients, and plastic packaging. Examples of EDCs you may be familiar with are parabens, phthalates, and triclosan.

Why are these allowed?

That's a great, and indeed, frustrating question. The short answer is that the beauty industry is not as rigorously regulated as you might expect here in the U.S. The FDA does not require pre-market approval for most cosmetic products. Further, many ingredients are deemed safe until they are proven unsafe. (To complicate things, there is a world of difference between ingredients allowed in the U.S. versus the EU, where they have banned or restricted over 1,300 cosmetic ingredients, as compared to around 11 in the U.S.

So the brands that are not choosing to avoid these ingredients (like we at By Kind are), are able to quietly use these ingredients in their formulations.

What about a "safe amount"?

Yes and no. A lot of these substances are used in very small amounts, which regulators can deem "safe limits." But the problem is we are exposed to these chemicals through things other than skincare, we consume them through food, water, packaging, household cleaning products, etc. This is also called your cumulative exposure, which means that even the small amount from each individual source of accumulation could add up over time.

This is especially significant for anyone dealing with hormone-related issues (PCOS, acne, fertility, thyroid issues), or anyone that wants to be kind to their body for long-term outcomes.

Okay, but what can I actually do?

First, no panic. We do not believe in scariness based skincare here! There’s only so much we can obsess over ingredients so here’s what can make a difference, not just in your skincare choices, but overall lifestyle habits too:

Use microwave-safe glass dishes for storing and microwaving your leftovers - not the containers takeout is packed in.

Opt for ceramic, iron or stainless steel cookware instead of non-stick, use wooden spatulas instead of plastic and chop your food on wood or non-porous materials.
Avoid waterproof or “long-wear” makeup, which often contains PFAS.
Ditch aerosols: Spray deodorants and dry shampoos often contain hidden chemicals and propellants.
Use fragrance-free detergents and cleaners. “Fragrance” can hide phthalates and other EDCs.
Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets—they often contain quats and synthetic fragrance.
Check your water filter: Use a filter that removes PFAS (like activated carbon or reverse osmosis).
Skip stain-resistant or water-repellent clothing and upholstery—they’re often treated with PFAS.
Be cautious with performance gear: Look for PFAS-free certifications when buying outdoor wear or yoga mats.
And of course, read your ingredient labels. If you see words like "paraben," "PEG," "phthalate," or "fragrance (unspecified)," pause and dig deeper.
Choose products that intentionally avoid these chemicals, may we say…us??

We gotchu!

At By Kind, this is exactly why we obsess over our ingredients, so you don’t have to! Not to hop on a trend, but because we truly believe skincare should support your body, not work against it. To make it easier, we created this downloadable PDF with a list of PFAS and EDCs that may be lurking on beauty shelves.