Plastic pollution is a growing problem in our oceans and waterways worldwide. One of these polluting contributors are microbeads that can been found in your skincare products and other personal care items such as toothpaste. If you’ve ever used exfoliating beauty products like body washes and facial scrubs, you’ve probably felt the sensation of tiny solid particles rubbing against your skin. Skincare companies advertise these plastic particles as a “magic formula”, however, they’re actually known to pollute our marine life.
What are microbeads?
Microbeads are very small particles made of plastic, designed to physically remove dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. These beads were originally used because they’re less harsh on the skin other than natural alternative scrubbing ingredients such as salt and sugar.
Why are microbeads harmful to the environment?
Despite the benefits they can offer for skincare, it is important to know that these plastic particles cause harm to the environment. When washed down our drains, they’re too small to be captured by water treatment plants, and eventually make their way into our oceans. Fish and other marine life can be effectively poisoned by these microbeads, as they do not break down. Microbeads are often consumed by marine creatures, because they mistake them for food, which can lead the toxic beads entering the food chain. These products usually list polyethylene or polypropylene on the label which contain microbeads.
Is there an alternative?
Don’t worry there are alternatives! Natural exfoliators such as; salt, sugar, flaxseeds and jojoba beads are great scrubbing alternatives for exfoliating skincare products. These products are natural and also biodegradable, therefor not being harmful to the environment. Our Exfoliating Face Scrub includes jojoba beads, these smooth round beads provide a natural exfoliating sensation and cleanses deep into the pores. Jojoba beads are an extremely gentle and also very effective exfoliant as their round shape removes dead skin cells without the harshness of typical plastic beads. Jojoba beads are naturally moisturising and help maintain the skin’s natural pH balance instead of stripping it from its natural oils.
Knowledge is power
You should always read the ingredients of your beauty products to make sure they do not contain polyethylene or polypropylene, the two most common microbes plastics. Choose a more natural alternative like the ones mentioned above. With so many amazing natural exfoliants like our Exfoliating Face Scrub, there is no need to use plastic microbeads.
