Study points to plastic particles found in cosmetics as damaging

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

- Last updated on GMT

This image captured by an electron microscope shows polyethylene microbeads widely used in shower gel.
This image captured by an electron microscope shows polyethylene microbeads widely used in shower gel.
Face scrubs, cosmetics and cleaning products that contain microbeads could be harming the environment and in particular marine life, according to a new study by Plymouth University.

Microbeads, which are often tiny plastic particles which are 5mm wide or less, have been used in a variety of products such as hand cleansers, face scrubs, soaps, toothpaste, shaving foam, bubble bath, sunscreen and shampoo.

Many cosmetics manufacturers have announced that they are phasing them out of their products following growing concern, and this new study claims that almost 100,000 microbeads could be released in every single application of certain products, such as facial scrubs.

“Using these products leads to unnecessary contamination of the oceans with millions of microplastic particles,”​ says Professor Richard Thompson of Plymouth University.

“There is considerable concern about the accumulation of microplastics in the environment; our previous work has shown microplastics can be ingested by fish and shellfish and there is evidence from laboratory studies of adverse effects on marine organisms.”

Thompson, the university’s professor of Marine Biology, carried out the study along with PhD student Imogen Napper, Professor of Organic Geochemistry Steve Rowland and Postdoctoral Researcher of Analytical Chemistry, Dr Adil Bakir.

Potentially damaging

They estimate that up to 80 tonnes of unnecessary microplastic waste could be entering the sea every year from use of certain cosmetics in the UK alone.

“As the study unfolded I was really shocked to see the quantity of microplastics apparent in these everyday cosmetics,”​ says Napper.

“Currently, there are reported to be 80 facial scrubs in the UK market which contain plastic material, however some companies have indicated they will voluntarily phase them out from their products. In the meantime, there is very little the consumer can do to prevent this source of pollution.”

For this study, the university says that the researchers chose brands of facial scrubs which listed plastics among their ingredients, and these were subjected to vacuum filtration to obtain the plastic particles.

Subsequent analysis using electron microscopy showed that each 150ml of the products could contain between 137,000 and 2.8million microparticles.

Related news

Related products

show more

Discover Peptan for Beauty & Diverse Skins

Discover Peptan for Beauty & Diverse Skins

Content provided by Rousselot | 05-Sep-2024 | Product Brochure

As beauty from within solutions soar in popularity, manufacturers need to be able to serve everyone, no matter their ethnicity or skin type.

FucoSkin®: Ocean-Inspired Sustainable Beauty

FucoSkin®: Ocean-Inspired Sustainable Beauty

Content provided by Hi-Q Marine Biotech International Ltd | 28-Aug-2024 | White Paper

FucoSkin® is a fucoidan-rich extract derived from the brown seaweed Laminaria Japonica, known for its excellent anti-aging and photoprotective benefits....

Collagen Reimagined, Discover Biodesigned Type XXI

Collagen Reimagined, Discover Biodesigned Type XXI

Content provided by Geltor | 20-Mar-2024 | Product Brochure

Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein and a mainstream ingredient for beauty. Type XXI collagen transcends a common protein into a powerful bioactive

Empowering natural barrier function for future-proof skin

Empowering natural barrier function for future-proof skin

Content provided by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics | 14-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Corneopeptyl™ is a new patented peptide biomimetic to the LCE6A protein, obtained by green chemistry-based synthesis. By mimicking the LCE6A protein activity,...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars

Podcast