The whole microplastics deal is not just about those little beads in scrubs – they sneak into all sorts of skincare, from shampoos to lotions and even toothpaste! It's a bit of a bummer because avoiding them is trickier than it seems.
Why's that? Well, microplastics are like the chameleons of skincare. They're thrown into products to make them feel smooth or less oily. They can even beef up a product to make it seem more substantial. Think of them as the behind-the-scenes crew making things look and feel just right. But here's the kicker – these little plastic bbs end up where we don't want them to, like our water and soil, messing up the environment and getting into our food chain - and yes we now know we all have some plastic in us (Read: Microplastics found in human blood for the first time (source: The Guardian).
To find out whether your skincare is playing host to these microplastic party crashers, watch out for these names on the ingredient list:
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
- Nylon (PA)
(Source: choice.com.au)
So, here's the lowdown: Keep it simple with your skincare. Get familiar with the skincare you're using and maybe downsize your collection. The fewer products you slap on, and the more you know about them, the happier your skin, your body and the planet will be!
For the nitty-gritty list of microplastic ingredients to avoid, check out:
https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Red-List_new_ECHA.pdf
There is also a great in-depth guide to indentifing high-risk skincare ingredients containing microplastics here:
https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/guide-to-microplastics/
From all of us at Four Cow Farm
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