Washington’s beauty industry is entering a major clean-up phase as the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act fully kicks in, forcing brands, salons, and retailers to rethink formulas, sourcing, and inventory strategies over the next two years. This shift reaches beyond makeup to almost every personal care product sold in Washington, including e-commerce shipments, and will particularly affect products used by professional stylists and communities already facing higher exposure to toxic chemicals.
What exactly is banned
The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047) restricts cosmetic products made, distributed, sold, or used to provide services in Washington if they contain nine major chemicals or chemical classes. From January 1, 2025, products cannot intentionally include:
Ortho phthalates and PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often used for flexibility, durability, and water resistance in makeup and hair products. Formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, methylene glycol, mercury and mercury compounds, triclosan, and m / o phenylenediamine and their salts, which are…
linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other health risks. The law also bars intentionally added lead and sets a 1 part per million impurity limit for lead in cosmetics starting January 1, 2025, with interim guidance from the Washington State Department of Ecology on how brands should test and document compliance. What the new law does The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act was approved by Washington lawmakers in 2023 and took effect at the start of 2025, targeting cosmetics that contain certain harmful chemicals.
Salons, retailers and cosmetic distributors were given until the end of 2025 to clear out noncompliant inventory and stop using these products on clients.
The law bans cosmetics containing a range of prohibited chemicals that have raised health and safety concerns, prompting many manufacturers to either reformulate or exit certain product categories.
Impact on salons and retailers Your usual salon visit in Washington could look different in 2026, as stylists may no longer be allowed to use long-standing favorite products that have not been reformulated. Some hair and nail products may disappear entirely from backbars and retail displays, especially those that previously…
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