With 2018 drawing to a close we are taking a look back at something we can celebrate in the wellness, environmental and beauty industry this year, and that is the banning of the microbead. Beauty lovers and environmentalists can rejoice!

Whilst it’s a step in the right direction, the ban doesn’t cover all cosmetics. Read on to discover what products still contain them, so (as always) you have the knowledge to make informed choices…

What are Microbeads and What Are They Used In?

Microbeads are manufactured solid pieces of plastic usually smaller than 1mm that are designed to be washed down the drain. They have been used in personal care products since 1972, most commonly used in exfoliators and scrubs as an abrasive agent (Cheung et al. 2017).

Microbeads were included in cosmetics for their great ‘slip and silky-feel’ quality against the skin, their spreadable texture and because they are much smaller and gentler than many natural exfoliator alternatives, which can create microscopic tears in the skin.

Products Included in the Microbead Ban

Rinse-off products will no longer contain microbeads. These include:

• Exfoliators
• Scrubs
• Toothpaste
• Cleansing Polish
• Face Wash
• Body Wash & Shower Gel
• Deep Pore Cleansers
• Antiperspirant deodorant
• Shaving Gel
• Soaps

(Beat The Microbead 2018).

Products Not Included in the Microbead Ban

Unfortunately some self-care products are not covered by the ban, which includes:

• Lip Gloss
• Nail Polish
• Lipstick
• Sun cream
• Glitter Products

(Beat The Microbead 2018).

I bet you never thought you were rubbing and coating your body in plastics!

Why are Only Rinse-Off Products Covered by the Ban and Not Others?

The cosmetics industry argued for “leave-on” products such as sun cream and make-up to be exceptions to the ban. They argued that there is a lack of evidence to show the impact that “leave-on” cosmetics have on the environment. Their main argument was that they would have to reformulate 90% of their product portfolios as a result of the ban, which would be difficult and expensive (Gov UK, 2017).

This just demonstrates how so many cosmetic companies use plastic as a key component in their products – yikes!

Therefore, as consumers we can make it our duty to check our cosmetic labels, as microbeads are still likely to be found in countless make-up products!

What Names can Microbeads Be Found Disguised Under on Product Ingredients Lists?

So whilst microbeads are banned from some skincare & personal care products, the ban is yet to be applied to cosmetics.

Products are unlikely to state ‘microbeads’ on the ingredients list and instead you might find them disguised under one or some of the following terms:

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• Polymethlyl methacrylate (PMMA)
• Nylon

(The Story of Stuff, 2018).

These are all plastics so look out for these terms so you can make an informed choice when selecting your next beauty buy!

Why Should We Be Happy About the Ban?

1. Microbeads are a Marine Pollutant – The very reason for the ban is to protect the marine environment. Microbeads are not biodegradable and are subsequently harming the aquatic environment. When we wash our faces and bodies with these products, microbeads can flow straight down our drains into the sewer system. Because wastewater treatment plants are not designed to filter microbeads out due to their small size, they subsequently enter our lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. Scientists have found that microbeads found in the sea match that of facial scrubs on the local market (Cheung 2016). Another investigation has taken place in Japan where the digestive tracts of 64 anchovy where examined. Plastic was detected in 49 out of 64 fish (77%), with a number of these plastics detected as microbeads, similar to those found in facial cleansers (Tanaka 2016). It isn’t just fish but plastic is also affecting birds. Scientists estimate that today around 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs, too (Wilcox et al. 2015).

2. Harmful to Health – Can you believe that we have been eating plastic? When using toothpaste, its unavoidable that we end up swallowing some. With so many toothpastes containing microbeads, we are unknowingly and unfortunately consuming plastics and toxic chemicals. Not to mention also digesting it via the fish that have it in their digestive tracts. A single plastic particle can absorb up to 1,000,000 times more toxic chemicals than the water around it (Green Peace 2018). When consuming seafood that has ingested microplastics you are consuming all the toxins that come with them.

It is fantastic to see that progress is being made to better the planet and our own health. So always try to stay informed and look to seek out quality natural products as much as possible, knowledge is power, after all!

 

References:

Beat the Microbead. (2018). Available at: http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/ProductTable.php?colour=1&country=GB&language=EN (Accessed: 6 February 2018).

PK, et al. (2017). ‘Characterisation of plastic microbeads in facial scrubs and their estimated emissions in Mainland China’, Water Research, pp. 53-61 NCBI [Online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28591661/(Accessed: 6 February 2018).

PK, Fok. L, (2016). ‘Evidence of microbeads from personal care product contaminating the sea’. Mar Pollut Bull, 109 (1), pp. 582-585 NCBI [Online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27237038 (Accessed: 6 February 2018).

Gov UK. (2017). Proposals to Ban the Use of Plastic Microbeads in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products in the UK and Call for Evidence on Other Sources of Microplastics Entering the Marine Environment. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630863/microbeads-consult-sum-resp.pdf (Accessed: 6 February 2018).

Gov UK. (2018). ‘World Leading Microbeads Ban Takes Effect’. Available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-leading-microbeads-ban-takes-effect (Accessed 2 September 2018).

Green Peace. (2018). Available at: https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/-/microbeads-infographic.jpg (Accessed: 6 February 2018).

Kosuke, Takada, Hideshige, (2016). ‘Microplastic fragments and microbeads in digestive tracts of planktivorous fish from urban coastal waters’. NCBI [Online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5043373/(Accessed: 6 February 2018).

M. L., Gwinnett. C, et al.(2016). ‘Plastic microfiber ingestion by deep-sea organisms’. 6 NCBI [Online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5043174/(Accessed: 6 February 2018).

The Story of Stuff. (2018) Available at: https://storyofstuff.org/plastic-microbeads-ban-the-bead/(Accessed: 6 February 2018).

Wilcox, C. Van Sebille, E. Hardesty, B. (2015). ‘Threat of Plastic Pollution to Seabirds is Global, Pervasive, and Increasing’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Available at: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2015/08/27/1502108112 (Accessed 2 September 2018).