We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics and Cosmetics: A Historical Overview
Summary
This historical review traces how personal care products shifted from natural abrasives to synthetic plastic microbeads from the 1980s onward, and how mounting environmental concerns eventually triggered regulatory bans in multiple countries. The history is directly relevant to understanding a major deliberate source of microplastic pollution and to evaluating whether current substitutes are genuinely safer alternatives.
For more than five decades, personal care and cosmetic products (PCCPs) have incorporated microplastics (MPs) into their formulations. Initially, naturally derived abrasives were employed; however, from the 1980s onward, synthetic plastic microbeads were increasingly adopted as polishing agents due to their lower cost, extended shelf life—particularly with respect to microbial stability—and reduced potential for skin irritation. Microplastics, especially those from rinse-off PCCPs, are subsequently released into the environment, raising significant environmental concerns. In response, regulatory measures have been introduced in several countries to restrict the use of MPs in PCCPs, prompting the development of alternative materials. This contribution examines the historical evolution of microplastic use in PCCPs, with particular emphasis on patent activity in this field.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Plastic microbeads: small yet mighty concerning
This review discusses the environmental concerns surrounding plastic microbeads - the tiny plastic particles used in cosmetic scrubs and personal care products - tracing their sources, distribution in aquatic environments, and potential ecological effects. The study supports regulatory bans on microbeads given their persistence, wide distribution, and ingestion by aquatic organisms.
Microplastics and cosmetics: Problems and solutions
This review examines the role of microplastics in cosmetics — including microbeads, glitter, and synthetic polymer thickeners — discussing the scale of environmental release from rinse-off products and the regulatory responses across different countries. The authors survey alternative natural ingredients and call for comprehensive bans on intentionally added microplastics in personal care.
Compositions of Abrasive Cosmetics from Polish Manufacturers
Researchers analyzed the compositions of abrasive cosmetics sold by Polish manufacturers to determine how many still contain plastic microbeads despite growing regulatory pressure to ban them, finding that manufacturers are increasingly switching to natural alternatives. This work documents the transition away from intentionally added microplastics in personal care products, which are a direct and preventable route of microplastic release into wastewater.
Microplastics in cosmetics: Environmental issues and needs for global bans
This review examined the environmental impact of microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products, noting that products can contain up to 50,391 microbeads per gram and contribute 229,000 microbeads per use to domestic sewage, with many countries now implementing or planning bans. The authors argue that voluntary industry commitments are insufficient and that global bans are needed to prevent further environmental contamination.
Microplastics: Applications in the Cosmetic Industry and Impacts on the Aquatic Environment
This review examines how microplastics are used in cosmetics as microbeads in products like exfoliating cleansers, and how these particles enter waterways through drain disposal and harm aquatic life. The authors summarize the main problems caused by cosmetic microplastics and discuss regulatory efforts to phase them out.