4 hidden risks of microplastic ingredients in cosmetics

Microbeads are banned overseas

Many cosmetics contain microplastic ingredients that are not biodegradable.

From the perspective of environmental protection, the EU, Canada, and New Zealand have imposed restrictions on solid microplastics known as microbeads, and have made it illegal to use microbeads in wash-off cosmetics.

The cosmetics that can be washed off are as follows:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body soap
• Soap
• Facial cleanser
• Toothpaste

However, many leave-on cosmetic products, such as skin care products and makeup, still contain microbeads.

Microbeads are made up of the following ingredients:

• Nylon-12
• Nylon-6
• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Polyurethane (PU)
• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

It may be in your lipstick, eyeshadow, or foundation.

By the way, there are no laws in Japan that regulate the use of microbeads. The government only calls on manufacturers to voluntarily restrict the use of microbeads in leave-in cosmetics.

Check for liquid microplastics too

According to the Swiss-based CodeCheck and the Dutch environmental group Plastic Soup , microbeads are the only synthetic polymers used in cosmetics that are not biodegradable.

Apart from microbeads, these synthetic polymers are not solid but liquid or semi-liquid, and therefore do not fall under the general definition of microplastics and are therefore not regulated in most countries.

However, these synthetic polymers, like microbeads, also pose a threat to the natural environment. There are various other concerns as well. For this reason, in Europe and the United States, they are called "liquid microplastics" and there is a movement to avoid them.

For example, the following components are liquid microplastics :

• (Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate) crosspolymer
• Acrylates Copolymer
• Carbomer
• Cyclohexasiloxane
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Polyquaternium-7
• Sodium Polyacrylate

Why are microplastics bad?

Microplastics are generally defined as solid, insoluble synthetic polymers with a diameter of less than 5mm and can be classified as primary or secondary.

Primary microplastics are those that are produced in micro or nano sizes from the beginning, while secondary microplastics are those that are produced in larger sizes, such as plastic bags and tires, but have degraded due to exposure to ultraviolet light and other factors, resulting in them breaking down into tiny sizes.

1. Cannot be recycled and released into the environment

The microbeads and synthetic polymers used in cosmetics are primary microplastics, meaning they are manufactured in micro- or nano-size from the start.

These particles are so small that they cannot be completely filtered out by wastewater treatment plants, and even if they could, they would end up in fields and soil via sewage sludge.

Microbeads and synthetic polymers are not easily degradable and can remain in the environment for decades.

In recent years, microplastic pollution has spread rapidly and can now be found in the air and even in rain. Many people will be surprised to learn that it has even been found on the summit of Mount Everest , on the ocean floor of the Mariana Trench, and even in the snow of Antarctica .

2. Humans will eat it

A study by WWF and an Australian university estimated that humans unknowingly ingest the equivalent of a credit card (about 5g) of microplastics every week.

To date, microplastics have been found in the following items:

• Seafood such as fish and shellfish
• Honey
• sugar
• salt
• Beer
• Mineral water
• Tap water
• Vegetables and Fruits

Through these various routes, microplastics enter the human body and circulate through the bloodstream.

Microplastics have been found in human lungs, blood, brain, heart, and placenta.

3. Highly toxic additives are used during manufacturing

All plastic products, including synthetic polymers and microbeads, have many additives used in their manufacture to make the plastic more stable, stronger and longer lasting.

However, there are some additives that are questionable in terms of their safety. In addition, there are concerns about the following risks associated with these additives:

• Endocrine disruption
• Hormonal cancers (breast, prostate, testicular)
• Reproductive disorders (genital malformations, infertility)
• Metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity)
• asthma
• Neurodevelopmental disorders (learning disabilities, autism spectrum)

4. They bind to other environmental pollutants

When liquid microplastics, such as those used in cosmetics, make their way into rivers and oceans, they attract other environmental pollutants, which then attach to them and find their way into ecosystems.

Acrylate-based polymers in particular are used in large quantities, so further investigation is needed before the impact becomes serious.

It is said that the amount of liquid microplastics used in cosmetics is 50 times that of microbeads. However, their impact on the environment and human body is often unclear and unclear. It can be said that invisible ingredients are spreading invisible risks.

The choice is yours

Some people think there is no need to worry excessively, while others think it is something to avoid because we don't know what will happen.
However, the risk assessment of microplastics is just beginning. At least until then, it is natural that some people want to avoid unnecessary risks. For those people, it is recommended that you start by reviewing the skin care and cosmetics you use every day.