The Repercussions of MicroBeads in Cosmetics

Micro-Beads are minute plastic beads made out of Polyethylene that were patented in the 1970’s. They are used as a disposable entity in consumer products such as scrubs, cleansers, makeup, and even toothpaste to produce a “feel good factor”. Unfortunately our water system filtration system is not able to eliminate these hazards from reaching our oceans and so after use, they are immediately discharged into waste water systems where they accumulate toxic contaminants and are ingested by a wide range of organisms. 

According to Fendell & Sewell, Plastics pollution in the ocean is an area of growing concern, with research efforts focusing on both the macroplastic and microplastic fractions. In the 1990s it was recognized that a minor source of microplastic pollution was derived from liquid hand-cleansers that would have been rarely used by the average consumer. In 2009, however, the average consumer is likely to be using microplastic-containing products on a daily basis, as the majority of facial cleansers now contain polyethylene micro plastics which are not captured by wastewater plants and will enter the oceans. Four microplastic-containing facial cleansers available in New Zealand supermarkets were used to quantify the size of the polythelene fragments. Three-quarters of the brands using100 microns and could be immediately ingested by planktonic organisms at the base of the food chain. Over time the microplastics will be subject to UV-degradation and absorb hydrophobic materials such as PCBs, making them smaller and more toxic in the long-term. So in short 75% of the brands using a certain sized micro bead were able to contaminate our oceans and its living organism at the base of the food chain. This means that it will effect all living organism over time! Their publication warns, Marine scientists need to educate the public to the dangers of using products that pose an immediate and long-term threat to the health of the oceans and the food we eat." There research also states, that as nanotechnology becomes more prevalent in the manufacture of commercial cosmetics and cleansers, the second and third order environmental impacts of the material used at that scale, are unclear. Dr. Sewell suggests that further investigation into the impact of micro- and nano- scale plastics on microscopic marine life, such as plankton, is warranted In short, what we do today is sure to impact us tomorrow. If you want to lessen or even better yet, eliminate their usage in everyday products, you must be aware of which product have this tiny hazards in them. Rest assured that Le Reve Spa along with our products retailed do not contain Microbeads but continue reading for a list of companies that do....

Check out some brands that have Microbeads in their products:
-Nivea (Beiersdorf)

-Neutrogena (Johnson and Johnson) 

-Olay (Proctor and Gamble)

-Biore (Kao)

-The Body Shop (L'Oreal)

-Kiehl's (L'Oreal)

-Lancome (L'Oreal)

-Garnier (L'Oreal)

-Shiseido
-Clinique
-Estee Lauder

To help indicate the products you may wish to avoid there are apps such as   Beat the Beads   that will inform you upon scanning an item with your phone of whether or not it contains Microbeads. 

It is up to all of us to educate ourselves in an effort to be a part of the solution and take action by understanding. All the best! _ Bridgette, Chemist & Product Specialist