Tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate is a PFAS

It's a long name, but what are the ingredients?

This is what I wrote in the headline.

Tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate

It's very long, but what is it?

This is a cosmetic ingredient that is included in sheet masks sold in Japan. When I looked up its effects on the skin, it said that it "improves sagging skin and provides firmness and elasticity."

However, this ingredient is actually a chemical called PFAS, which has been identified as having serious toxicity, including carcinogenicity.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are substances that have been detected in tap water and sewage in countries around the world, including Japan. They accumulate in the environment with little decomposition. For this reason, they are toxic substances that are also called "eternal chemicals."

Although much is still unknown about the risks, the following impacts are of concern:

• Carcinogenicity
• Weakened immune system
• Hepatotoxicity
• Developmental Toxicity
• Hormonal disruption

In Japan, too, PFAS has been detected in the urine of many residents at levels higher than the legal limit, and research into its health effects is ongoing.

Tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate is a PFAS

The US FDA, which plays a role similar to that of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, lists tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate as a PFAS in its list of cosmetic ingredients .

Similarly, it is clearly listed as PFAS in a report by the European Commission .

There is no doubt that tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate is a PFAS.

PFAS are widely used in a variety of fields, one of which is cosmetics.

Sometimes ingredients are intentionally added for cosmetic or functional purposes, such as the "skin firming" effect of the sheet mask we discovered this time.

PFAS are also characterized by their excellent water and abrasion resistance, which is why they are sometimes used in waterproof makeup products and long-lasting lipsticks .

But when it comes to cosmetics, we don't eat PFAS, so what's the danger in applying them to your skin?

Safety of tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate

A joint study by several universities, including the University of Notre Dame , has shown that PFAS can be absorbed through the skin and enter the body.

This time, I found a sheet mask in Japan that contains tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate. Sheet masks are attached to the entire face for a relatively long time, so PFAS may be absorbed through the skin and tear ducts.

Also, if it is in lipstick... there is a possibility that it could be ingested when eating or drinking.

PFAS are persistent chemicals that can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, where they remain, and if ingested, may accumulate in the digestive system.

In other words, cosmetics used to make you look beautiful may actually be causing toxic substances to accumulate in your body.

By the way, I also looked at the evaluation by the US EWG, which reviews the safety of ingredients.
As expected, tetradecylaminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric acid urea trifluoroacetate had the worst safety rating , 10 out of 10 (1 being the safest).

Cosmetics containing PFAS

The study by the University of Notre Dame and other institutions mentioned above examined more than 200 types of cosmetics sold in the United States.

Among them, cosmetics that are likely to contain PFAS were identified, with many of them being found in products labeled as "waterproof," "resistant to friction," or "hard to remove."

Probability of PFAS detection

• 82% of waterproof mascara
• 63% of foundation
• 62% of liquid lipstick
• 58% of eyeshadow, eye cream, and eyeliner

The survey also found that none of the ingredients in any of the cosmetics contained any indication of PFAS.

Most PFAS ingredients have long and difficult names. It may be difficult, but it seems necessary to educate yourself so that you can identify safer cosmetics.

I have written in detail about PFAS in cosmetics below. Please read it.

Cosmetics containing toxic PFAS
Can PFAS in cosmetics be absorbed through the skin?