Quantitative Analysis of Selected Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Cosmetic Products by LC-MS/MS

User Benefits

- Accurate quantification of multiple PFAS in complex cosmetic matrices is possible using LC-MS/MS with internal-standard calibration. - QuEChERS extraction combined with SPE cleanup provides effective matrix removal, enabling reliable PFAS analysis in diverse cosmetic products. - The PFAS-targeted method can be expanded to include additional PFAS compounds as analytical requirements evolve.

Introduction

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of synthetic chemicals that have been intentionally used in certain cosmetic products because of their unique physicochemical properties and functional characteristics, including water and oil resistance, conditioning, and film formation. These properties can contribute to the performance and sensory characteristics of cosmetic products. However, concerns regarding the persistence and potential environmental and health impacts of certain PFAS have increased the need for reliable analytical methods to identify and quantify these compounds in cosmetic products. This Application News presents a workflow for the quantitative analysis of selected PFAS in cosmetic products using Shimadzu’s LCMS-8060RX triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled with the Nexera LC-40 ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography system.

October 15, 2026 GMT