For decades, we’ve trusted the FDA to protect us. To regulate what goes into our food, our drugs, and our personal care products. But when it comes to skincare, the truth is hard to ignore: the system is broken—and we’re all paying the price with our health.

Despite years of research, consumer outrage, and clear evidence of harm, the skincare industry remains flooded with chemicals that disrupt hormones, damage the skin barrier, and may even increase cancer risk. The 2023 updates to federal cosmetic regulations were hyped as a long-overdue overhaul. But what actually changed? And more importantly—what didn’t?

 

In December 2022, the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) passed as part of a broader FDA reform bill. On paper, it sounds great. It requires:

• Manufacturers to register facilities with the FDA

• Mandatory product listings

• Adherence to “good manufacturing practices”

• Mandatory adverse event reporting

Sounds like progress, right? Sure. But here’s what it doesn’t do:

❌ Ban known carcinogens

❌ Remove endocrine disruptors

❌ Eliminate toxic preservatives and synthetic fragrances

❌ Force ingredient transparency across the board

In other words, the industry is still free to use a staggering number of harmful ingredients—because the burden of proof is placed on consumers after the damage is done.
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The Chemicals Still in Your Creams

Here are just a few substances still legally allowed in U.S. skincare products:

• Oxybenzone – A hormone-disrupting chemical found in most sunscreens

• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives – Linked to skin irritation and cancer

• Phthalates – Common in fragrances, these are known endocrine disruptors

• Parabens – Mimic estrogen in the body and may interfere with reproductive health

• PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”) – Linked to cancer and immune dysfunction, often used to improve product spreadability

Europe has banned over 1,600 substances from personal care products. The U.S.? Around 30.

 

California Is Doing At Least One Thing Right

In October 2023, California passed a law banning 26 more ingredients commonly found in cosmetics, bringing their regulations closer to EU standards. This includes multiple synthetic fragrance chemicals and preservatives.

That’s great news—for Californians. But the rest of the country? Still stuck in regulatory limbo. And unless Congress steps up, there’s little hope for nationwide protection anytime soon.

Meanwhile, proposed federal legislation like the No PFAS in Cosmetics Act (H.R.6519) has stalled in Congress. As of March 2025, it’s still not law.
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Why Isn’t This Moving Faster?

One word: Industry.

The beauty and personal care industry is worth over $100 billion in the U.S. alone. And the companies profiting off cheap, toxic ingredients have powerful lobbyists making sure regulation stays just out of reach.

The FDA doesn’t have the resources—or perhaps the will—to push back. Historically, the agency has taken a hands-off approach to cosmetics. Companies aren’t required to prove a product is safe before it hits the market. The FDA can’t even mandate a recall unless a product is proven to cause harm.

By the time someone is harmed, it’s already too late.
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So, What Can You Do?

Honestly? Don’t wait for the FDA to save you.

• Read ingredient labels like your health depends on it—because it does.

• Support brands that prioritize transparency and biology over marketing.

• Say no to synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and endocrine disruptors.

• Favor fat-based moisturizers and nutrient-dense skincare from regenerative sources.

At Farrow Skincare, we believe your skin deserves better. Our products are made without the chemical clutter—just nutrient-rich, whole ingredients that work with your biology, not against it.

We don’t wait for regulation to tell us what’s safe. We listen to your body. We trust the wisdom of nature. And we build every formula on our three pillars: Biology, Ecology, and Transparency.
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The Bottom Line

The FDA has made some steps forward—but they’re baby steps in a toxic industry sprinting in the wrong direction. The time for half-measures is over. If the government won’t protect consumers, then it’s up to us—to educate, to opt out, and to demand better from the brands we trust.

The truth is, we’re not “anti-chemical.” We’re anti-BS.

Ready to ditch the toxins?

Explore our ingredient lists. Question everything. And stay tuned—we’ve got more skin-supportive innovations coming soon.