Cenicola, Tony. “The U.K. Has Banned Microbeads. Why?” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/world/europe/microbeads-ban-uk.html

Microbeads are familiar characters in the skincare world - taking residence in face washes and body scrubs alike. Although these plastic pellets are often glamorized as exfoliants that give our skin a much deeper clean, we should be wary of the potential harm they inflict not only upon ourselves, but the environment as well.

Common components found in microbeads include petrochemicals like polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP). When such chemicals come into contact with our skin, they often cause abrasions and other forms of irritation, which can in turn lead to dryness. While the clearing of dead skin and sebum is a vital part of exfoliation, microbeads tend to take this process a step further by scraping off healthy skin cells as well. Continual use may lead to microscarring, which creates crevices in the skin where bacteria and other pollutants can collect. Overtime, this buildup can cause stress for the skin and speed up the aging process.

While the most obvious signs of damage are external, microbeads can also lead to internal harm. Although the majority of plastic gets flushed down the drainage system, chemicals and other microplastic components are still able to enter our body through dermal absorption. The ingestion of plastic has been linked to a wide array of health issues, including but not limited to reproductive harm, organ problems, and developmental setbacks. Many plastic particles also have the potential of leaking bisphenols and polychlorinated biphenyls - chemicals that are infamous for interfering with hormonal signals and increasing the risk of cancer.

Aside from humans, wildlife are also victims of microbeads. Because they are non-degradable and cannot be filtered out by most wastewater treatment systems, microbeads often end up contaminating our rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water - where they are ingested by fish and other organisms. An accumulation of these plastics can create health defects and even lead to death in many aquatic animals, as discussed in the journal Microplastics in Our Ocean and Marine Health (not to mention that these defects are magnified as chemicals move up the food chain).

Although plastic microbeads have earned quite the controversial reputation as synthetic exfoliants, I hope this does not discourage anyone seeking to find the right products for their skincare journey. There has been a recent uprise of healthier, more natural exfoliating alternatives including finely ground sugar and coffee grounds. These alternatives are gentle on the skin and contain few or no harmful chemicals, unlike their plastic counterparts. It’s important to treat your skin and body with kindness, and find the right products that lead you to healthier, happier skin.

A list of other friendly microbead alternatives:

• Whole/ground oats

• Jojoba beads (made from jojoba oil)

• Salt

• Yogurt