film former
Polytetrafluoroethylene
What we found
We don't have a detailed writeup for Polytetrafluoroethylene yet — it's currently classified as "Caution" based on available data.
Source: FDABy product type
In cosmetics
CautionA PFAS (fluoropolymer). California has banned cosmetics with intentionally added PFAS since 1 January 2025 (Health and Safety Code §108981.5), and Minnesota has done the same.
Rules by region
How the EU, the US and Canada treat Polytetrafluoroethylene, with the regulation behind each rule.
- California and MinnesotaBanned
Cosmetics with intentionally added PFAS banned since 1 January 2025. Both states define PFAS as chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom, which includes this ingredient. Minnesota's law is Minn. Stat. 116.943.
California Legislature – Health and Safety Code §108981.5 · Since January 1, 2025
Also labeled as: Ptfe
Last updated November 11, 2026
Is Polytetrafluoroethylene safe?
We don't give a safety verdict. Here is what the EU, Canada and the US say.
Who should be careful
In the app, a household profile with any of these gets an alert when a product contains Polytetrafluoroethylene.
- PFAS ("forever chemicals")
Related ingredients
Other ingredients that do the same job.
See it in a real product.
Scan any label and get a full ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown.