Did you know that out of every 10 cosmetic products, 9 contain microplastics that cause a substantial form of pollution and may harm your skin?
WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS?
It may seem like microplastics are just limited to the microbeads we see in popular skincare and makeup products, but, unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Microplastics are tiny little plastic particles that are less than 5 millimeters in size, and are often used to add texture or thicken skincare products, along with helping with physical exfoliation.
Some examples of these microplastics include polyethylene (PE), PEGs, phthalates, and substances that end in -cone (e.g.: dimethicone) or -siloxane.
The sad news is that microplastics can be found in so many different beauty and skincare products these days, from scrubs and masks to cleansers and makeup, that it can be difficult to keep them out of your routine if you don't know what to look for.
Even worse? Studies have shown that microplastics can have negative effects on both our skin and the environment…
5 REASONS TO AVOID MICROPLASTICS IN SKINCARE
Let’s talk about the dangers of microplastics in skincare and why they should be avoided at all costs.
1. THEY CAN HARM YOUR SKIN
Research into the effects of microplastics on humans is ongoing.
But at this point the potential effects “consist of oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity.”*
“Microplastics are usually considered not to pass through the skin barrier, but they can still increase exposure risk by depositing on the skin. For example, the use of consumer products containing microplastics (such as face cream and facial cleanser) will increase the exposure risk of PE.”*
2. THEY HARM MARINE LIFE
Have you ever thought about where your cosmetic products go when you wash them off? Everything drains into our waterways, which is why it's so important to find cosmetics with safe ingredients.
Not only do microplastics have negative effects on the skin, but they also harm marine life when washed down the drain, ending up in waterways and oceans. These tiny particles can be mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to serious health problems and even death.
When marine life ingests microplastics, this can cause blockages in their digestive systems, which can lead to malnutrition and starvation. The particles can also leave toxic chemicals that have been linked to reproductive issues and other health problems in animals.
This has been documented in a range of species, including small fish, crustaceans, dolphins, and even whales.
3. THEY HARM THE ENVIRONMENT
It’s estimated that up to 8 trillion microbeads enter waterways every day, adding to the millions of tons of plastic already in our oceans.
The particles are so small that they often slip through water treatment systems and end up in our oceans, lakes, and rivers, where they can take hundreds of years to degrade and effect the enviroment around them.
Even when these microplastics do break down, they break into smaller and smaller particles, known as microplastic fragments.
These can be ingested by even smaller organisms and work their way up the food chain, affecting larger animals and eventually find their way to us, especially for fans of seafood.
4. THEY CAN CONTAIN TOXIC CHEMICALS
Microplastics in skincare products can also contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) that can be absorbed into our bodies through the skin.
These chemicals have been linked to health problems such as hormone disruption and developmental issues.
Microplastics can also absorb and release other toxic substances present in our environment, such as pesticides and heavy metals, further adding to their negative impact on our health.
5. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SAFE, NATURAL ALTERNATIVES
The great news is that there are plenty of natural and sustainable alternatives to microplastics with none of the risk.
For example, if you're in need of a scrub, find products with naturally exfoliating acids like the BHA salicylic acid found in our BAMBOO REFINING POLISH and CLARIFYING SERUM, or fruit enzymes like the pineapple bromelain in our DEEP ENZYME CLEANSE. These dissolve and unglue skin cells from the surface of the skin, provide a safe exfoliation and leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and glowing.
These natural alternatives are not only gentle on skin, but also on the environment. They are biodegradable, don’t contribute to plastic pollution, and often contain additional nutrients and antioxidants to nourish and hydrate your skin.
THE SOLUTION
Read the labels and become familiar with the names of these ingredients. It might surprise you just how prevalent these synthetic fillers are.
This is why I created IN YOUR FACE SKINCARE.
To be honest, it's not that these plastics will kill you, but they won't get you to your skincare goals rapidly. And I'm all about concentrated actives for maximum results, whether it's an ingredient created by science or by Mother Nature.
This is what I’ve always sought for myself in my personal health and beauty goals, and now it’s my goal for YOU.
Our products are 100% free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates, GMOs, alcohols, dyes, artificial fragrances and toxins, and always will be.
Thank you for reading this article and if you want to learn more about the best products for your skin type, take our SKIN QUIZ here. You can also CONTACT US here or call us at (727) 286-7684 with any questions, we’d love to hear from you!
XOXO,
Denice
*Source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/envhealth.3c00052 Environment & Health, published Aug 10, 2023
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