You've probably heard the term "forever chemicals" in the news. What you may not know is that they've been showing up in haircare, makeup, and skincare for years, often without most shoppers realizing it. At ROgHA®, we formulate without PFAS. Here's what that actually means, and why it matters.
What is PFAS, exactly?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large family of manmade chemicals used for decades to make products water-resistant, smooth, or long-wearing. They've earned the nickname "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally in the environment or the body. Once they're in, they tend to stay.
In personal care products, PFAS are most often added for slip, shine, or staying power. A 2026 FDA review found more than 50 different PFAS ingredients intentionally added across 1,700 personal care products on the market, far more widespread than most consumers assume.
Why regulators are stepping in
The science connecting PFAS exposure to health concerns has been building for years, and lawmakers have started responding. As of 2026, fourteen U.S. states have passed bans on intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics. California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington have enforced their bans since January 2025, Maine and Vermont followed in January 2026, and Connecticut's labeling rules began in July 2026. New Hampshire and Oregon join the list on January 1, 2027.
That's a lot of states drawing the same conclusion at once: this is a category of ingredients people shouldn't have to be exposed to through their daily shampoo or conditioner.
How to spot PFAS on an ingredient label
PFAS ingredients aren't always obvious. A few terms to watch for on an ingredient list:
- PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), the single most common PFAS used in cosmetics
- Any ingredient with "fluoro" or "perfluoro" in the name, such as perfluorononyl dimethicone or perfluorohexylethyl triethoxysilane
- Methyl perfluorobutyl ether or methyl perfluoroisobutyl ether
One important caveat: not every ingredient with "fluoro" in the name is PFAS. Sodium monofluorophosphate (common in toothpaste) and synthetic fluorphlogopite (a mineral used in some makeup) are not PFAS, even though the names look similar.
Why ROgHA formulates without it
"When ROgHA was developed, the goal was never just to remove one or two ingredients people had started to worry about. It was to take a hard look at everything a shampoo could be putting on the scalp, and ask whether it actually needed to be there," says Sharon Clohesy, Certified Trichologist and founder of ROgHA Hair System. "PFAS never had a place in the ROgHA formula."
ROgHA products are Formulated Without PFAS, along with parabens, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrance, synthetic color, and more than a dozen other ingredients we believe simply don't belong in a daily hair and scalp routine. Every product goes through third-party testing to confirm it.
The bottom line
You shouldn't need a chemistry degree to figure out what's safe to put on your scalp every day. Reading labels helps, but choosing a brand that's already done the homework, and is transparent about it, is the simpler path. That's the whole idea behind ROgHA: gentle, effective and simple. The way hair and scalp care should be!
Ready to make the switch? Shop the ROgHA Hair System →