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 relied on formaldehyde or related substances.
For salon owners and beauty retailers, the December 31, 202,5, cutoff means:
- Auditing all inventory for banned ingredients before year-end.
- Working with distributors to confirm which product lines are reformulated and compliant.
- Updating service menus where key products cannot be replaced.
Compliance steps for beauty businesses
Regulators are urging retailers and salon owners to start treating ingredient review like a core operational task rather than an afterthought. Recommended steps include:
- Scrutinizing all SKUs for restricted ingredients, including hair smoothing treatments, permanent dyes, nail hardeners, mascaras, and long wear foundations that have historically used PFAS, phthalates, or formaldehyde.
- Requesting updated safety data sheets, certificates of analysis, or written assurances from suppliers confirming products meet Washington’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act standards.
- Keeping records that show good faith compliance efforts, which can be helpful if enforcement questions come up after 2025.
The Washington State Department of Ecology offers industry webinars, guidance documents, and a Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act email list to help, especially smaller salons and independent retailers, understand their obligations and plan product transitions.
How manufacturers are responding
There are reports that many cosmetics manufacturers have already reformulated or are actively reformulating products to comply with Washington’s law and similar regulations in other U.S. states. This shift is most visible in categories like hair smoothing treatments and some nail products, where formaldehyde was more commonly used.
Some legacy formulas may be phased out completely rather than reworked, opening the door for newer “toxic-free” and clean beauty offerings tailored to strict state standards.
Formaldehyde releasers and future rules
While the main bans on prohibited cosmetic chemicals are tied to the December 31, 2025, deadline, restrictions on formaldehyde releasers do not kick in until 2027. This gives brands additional time to find viable alternatives for ingredients that slowly release formaldehyde but are still considered a health concern.
Beauty professionals who rely on these products should start planning now, since reformulation timelines, testing, and salon retraining can all take many months.
Support for businesses
The Washington State Department of Ecology is offering compliance support for salons, retailers, and other cosmetic businesses, including guidance on “sell-through” of existing stock and safe disposal of banned products. Officials are encouraging business owners to review their responsibilities under the new law and reach out with questions or for assistance.
Businesses can contact the agency directly for help understanding ingredient lists, deadlines, and best practices for transitioning to compliant product assortments.
