Illinois Will Ban Cosmetics with Harmful Chemicals

Starting July 1, 2028, Illinois will prohibit the sale of certain cosmetics and personal care items. The measure affects products containing chemical substances associated with potential health risks.

Governor JB Pritzker signed the law on July 10 of this year. It is the Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act, officially identified as HB 3409 in the Illinois General Assembly.

The regulation prohibits manufacturing, selling, distributing, or maintaining inventory of products containing 24 specific ingredients. The list includes 11 individually named chemical substances and 13 PFAS compounds, popularly known as «forever chemicals.»

What ingredients are banned

Among the banned substances are formaldehyde, mercury, and several phthalates, including dibutyl and diethylhexyl. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are also prohibited, such as methylene glycol and quaternium-15.

The law also restricts two specific parabens, isobutylparaben and isopropylparaben. These compounds are commonly used as preservatives in creams, shampoos, and other personal hygiene products.

The 13 PFAS compounds included cover substances such as PFOS and PFOA, historically present in water-resistant and long-lasting products, such as some blushes, lipsticks, and makeup bases. The law applies to makeup, hair products, nail items, soaps, lotions, bronzers, perfumes, and colognes.

What science says about these chemicals

We consulted with a dermatologist about the real impact of these ingredients on consumer skin. The specialist explained that several of these compounds have scientific backing as documented risk factors.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a recognized human carcinogen. Prolonged exposure has been linked with respiratory irritation, skin sensitization, and increased risk of nasal and lung cancer.

Phthalates, for their part, are documented hormonal disruptors in multiple studies. Recent research links them to reproductive toxicity, disruptions in fetal development, and impacts on male fertility. According to recent studies, PFAS can be absorbed through the skin and accumulate in the body, with possible links to liver damage and long-term hormonal disruption.

Illinois follows the European model

The new Illinois law prohibits substances that have already been banned in the European Union for years. The state thus becomes one of the first in the United States to align its cosmetic regulation with stricter international standards.

Unlike federal regulation, which grants manufacturers broad autonomy to self-evaluate product safety, Illinois adopts a specific list approach. This means that instead of requiring general safety testing, the law identifies specific substances and prohibits them directly.

The regulation includes a limited exception. Products with technically unavoidable traces of a prohibited ingredient, resulting from manufacturing processes aimed at complying with the law, will not be penalized if those amounts are minimal and unintentional.

What consumers should do today

The law has not yet taken effect, so current products on the market may continue to contain these ingredients until 2028. The dermatologist consulted recommended reviewing cosmetic labels before purchasing, especially in hair and long-lasting makeup products.

Looking for terms such as «PFAS,» «formaldehyde,» «quaternium-15,» or «phthalate» in ingredient lists can help identify higher-risk products. Some mobile applications and independent databases, such as the Environmental Working Group’s, allow you to verify the composition of specific brands before purchasing.

The specialist also suggested opting for products labeled as «PFAS-free» or «formaldehyde-free» while the law takes effect. She also recommended paying attention to persistent skin reactions, such as unusual irritation or redness, which could indicate sensitivity to these compounds.

The impact on the industry and Hispanic consumers

Manufacturers and distributors have almost two years to reformulate their products before the law takes effect. Companies selling at the national level will likely adjust their formulas across the board, as it is more efficient to meet the stricter standard in all their markets.

For the Hispanic community, which represents a significant portion of beauty product consumers in Illinois, this law comes at a time of growing attention to the safety of cosmetic ingredients. Recent studies show that certain hair products historically marketed to Black and Latino women have contained higher levels of hormonal disrupting chemicals than other market segments.

Illinois thus joins states like California, which has also advanced similar restrictions in recent years. The measure does not immediately eliminate the risk, but it sets a specific date for the cosmetics industry to adjust its formulas and better protect the health of millions of consumers.