“PFAS, also called polyfluorinated alkyl substances, are multifunctional chemicals with a wide array of uses,” explains Esther Olu, a cosmetic chemist and licensed aesthetician. They are synthetic (man-made). Olu adds that these chemicals are used in a variety of industries including textiles, clothing, cooking (pots and pans, for instance), and cosmetics. Why are they included? PFAS happen to be water- and grease-resistant, which makes them particularly useful in everyday life.
