At Rustic MAKA, our mission has always been to create personal care products that are safe, effective, and rooted in holistic wellness. That’s why we want to take a moment to address a recent blog post that raised concerns about the detection of total organic fluorine and possible indications of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in some deodorants, including ours. This was a shock to us, and we understand the trust you place in the products you use every day, and we want you to know we’re taking this seriously.
Immediately after learning about the post, we began reaching out to our suppliers, including raw ingredient vendors and packaging partners, to confirm their practices and request documentation regarding the intentional use of PFAS. To date, each one has confirmed that PFAS are not intentionally added during any part of their process. We also contacted the blog author directly to better understand the testing method used, sample handling, and results, but unfortunately, we’ve not received a response, which has left many open questions.
Still, we’re not waiting around. Here’s what we are doing:
- Partnering with accredited third-party labs to explore more advanced and accurate testing methods. Our goal is to go beyond broad screening, like total organic fluorine tests, and identify whether PFAS compounds are truly present, and if so, trace their potential source.
- Verifying with our fragrance supplier, who confirmed our scent blend was previously tested for PFAS and found to be free of them.
- Initiating deep-dive investigations into specific ingredients and materials, including magnesium hydroxide and activated charcoal.
- Requesting formal documentation and more rigorous testing from our suppliers regarding the absence of PFAS and their overall safety standards.
- Re-evaluating our packaging and internal practices to make sure every part of our production process stands up to the highest scrutiny.
We also want to address the concern around total organic fluorine results. Seeing elevated levels can feel alarming, and we completely understand that. But it’s important to know that these results do not confirm the presence of PFAS. Testing in this area is complex and far from black and white. Still, we believe you deserve clear, honest answers, and we’re committed to finding them.
Our Commitment to You
We know many of you use our deodorant during deeply personal seasons of life like pregnancy, breastfeeding, or on your children. We carry that responsibility with great care.
So here’s where we stand:
- We do not add PFAS to any of our products.
- We will not work with any supplier who adds PFAS to their ingredients or manufacturing process.
- We will share what we learn, whatever that may be, openly, as we go.
Thank you for trusting us and for giving us the opportunity to do right by you. We’re committed to navigating this with integrity, transparency, and heart.
With gratitude,
Kasia + Monica
Founders of Rustic MAKA
UPDATE: JULY 8, 2025
What We’re Doing Now: PFAS Testing Update
Since our initial post, we've reached out to all our ingredient and packaging suppliers to reconfirm that PFAS are not intentionally added during any stage of manufacturing. Each supplier verified that their processes are free of intentional PFAS use.
In fact, we’ve learned that PFAS are already banned or restricted in several states, and we fully support these actions [1]. These legal restrictions reinforce what we already hold as a core value: PFAS have no place in our products.
We’ve also partnered with certified lab to explore fluorine and PFAS testing options specifically for oil-based, solid products like deodorant.
While the science around testing these types of products is still developing, we’re working with industry experts to ensure we’re using the most accurate and validated methods available.
Understanding the Testing Process
Most PFAS testing begins with screening for fluorine, the element common to all PFAS compounds. Here's a simplified breakdown:
Step 1: Detect Total Fluorine: if none is found, that’s a strong indication PFAS are not present.
Step 2: If fluorine is detected, further analysis helps determine whether it’s organic (possibly PFAS-related) or inorganic (like naturally occurring minerals).
This distinction is crucial, and not all tests can make it. That’s why we’ve chosen to go further with compound-specific testing using one of the most validated methods available.
The Method We’re Using: EPA 1633
We've chosen to work with a lab that offers EPA Method 1633 [2], a comprehensive PFAS detection method finalized in late 2024. Though we’ve learned that it was designed for environmental samples (like water and soil), it’s currently the most validated option that can be adapted for solid personal care products.
This method detects up to 40 PFAS compounds and requires careful handling to avoid contamination or false readings. We’re finalizing procedures for a proper chain of custody to ensure accurate results, and will share more once testing is complete.
PFAS testing, especially for solid, oil-based cosmetics, is still catching up to the needs of today’s clean beauty space. But rather than waiting for perfect standards, we’re committed to using the best science available now to guide our decisions.
We'll continue sharing updates as we learn more, and we remain committed to transparency and safety every step of the way.
With gratitude,
Kasia + Monica
Founders of Rustic MAKA
UPDATE: AUGUST 27, 2025
PFAS Testing Update
As promised, we want to share the outcome of our testing.
The Testing Approach
We partnered with a lab who analyzed our deodorant samples using EPA Method 1633. This method is one of the most validated approaches available and is designed to detect 40 of the most studied PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) compounds.
The lab prepared our samples using a dispersion method suitable for solid, oil-based products and ran strict quality control checks, including blank spikes.
The Results
The laboratory report shows that none of the 40 targeted PFAS compounds were detected in our deodorant samples above the reporting limits. In other words, every compound tested was either below detection thresholds or not present at measurable levels.
You can review the full results in the linked report.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Testing for PFAS in solids and personal care is still an evolving field, and we’ll continue to monitor new science and expand testing as more validated methods become available.
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the testing results or methods. We are committed to keep working to ensure our products meet our highest standards.
With gratitude,
Kasia + Monica
Founders of Rustic MAKA
