The company, founded ten years ago, notes that throughout its operations, it has consistently avoided the use of microbeads in its skin care range, and describes itself as “flying the flag” for microbead-free products.
Its founder, Simon Duffy, explains that Bulldog is pleased to see the government in the UK responding to the harmful, polluting effect microplastics have been found to have on marine life and waterways.
“There has been a clear groundswell of support from people for this ban and in our opinion the industry has been slow to react. We are enthusiastic supporters for the microbead ban and will hope to see it pass as soon as possible.” Duffy asserts.
Undaunted by lack of beads
Bulldog believes that avoiding microplastics in its products has not held the company back; indeed, according to Nielson market figures, the company’s Original Face Scrub is the third largest in the mass male skin care market overall (*Nielson, 52 weeks ended 13 August 2016, Male Skincare, Male Cleansing, Scrubs).
To avoid microbeads, the grain of the oat is used for an exfoliating kernel instead, the company explains.
“From our very first day more than ten years ago in the formulation lab, we made a decision to never use microbeads at Bulldog. We have always found brilliant natural alternatives for exfoliating products like our Face Scrub."
Microbead ban
At the start of this month, the UK government announced a ban on microbeads in personal care products despite renewed pledges from the industry to voluntarily step up their efforts to reduce and remove them.
“Adding plastic to products like face washes and body scrubs is wholly unnecessary when harmless alternatives can be used,” UK environment secretary Andrea Leadsom stated on the ban.
Various groups, including environmental activists Greenpeace and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association trade body, voiced their dissatisfaction, however, that the ban is currently limited to personal care products despite other sectors causing comparable damage through microplastic use.