Why Everyone’s Suddenly Talking About Microplastics in Beauty
In response to the Netflix documentary "The Plastic Detox" releasing on 16 March 2026.
With the launch of the Netflix documentary "The Plastic Detox", the conversation about microplastics in everyday products has reached a global audience.
The documentary follows several couples facing unexplained fertility challenges as they attempt to eliminate plastic-related chemicals from their lives over a three-month period.
Their journey raises an important question many consumers are now asking:
So, are microplastics hiding in our bathrooms?
Microplastics are not just found in oceans and food chains.
While many brands are only now beginning to address the issue, some companies chose a different path from the start.
Beauty Kitchen, for example, has never used plastic ingredients in its formulations.
Microplastics can also appear in beauty and personal care products — sometimes hidden behind complex ingredient names.
Even though microbeads were banned in many countries several years ago, other plastic ingredients are still commonly used in cosmetic formulations.
Microplastics in Skincare: Common Questions
Are there microplastics in my skincare?
This is one of the most common questions people are asking after watching "The Plastic Detox". While many consumers assume microplastics disappeared when microbeads were banned, the reality is more complex.
Many cosmetic products still contain synthetic polymer ingredients that behave like plastic in the environment. Understanding how to spot them in ingredient lists is the first step to avoiding them.
Do skincare products still contain plastic?
Yes. Although microbeads were banned, many beauty products still contain synthetic polymers, which are forms of plastic used in cosmetic formulations.
- Moisturisers
- Cleansers
- Sunscreens
- Shampoos
- Makeup
These ingredients are often added to improve how a product feels — making creams smoother, thicker or easier to spread.
What exactly are microplastics in beauty products?
In cosmetics, microplastics are typically synthetic polymer ingredients that behave like plastic in the environment.
- Stabilise formulations
- Improve texture
- Create a silky or smooth skin feel
- Extend shelf life
While they improve product performance, their environmental persistence is increasingly raising concern among scientists and regulators.
What ingredients should I avoid?
Plastic ingredients often appear under technical names in ingredient lists.
- Acrylates Copolymer
- Carbomer
- Nylon
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Polyacrylamide
- PVP
These ingredients are typically used as thickeners, film formers, or texture enhancers.
How to check your bathroom shelf in 30 seconds
If you're wondering whether your skincare products might contain microplastics, a quick bathroom shelf check is a good place to start.
Step 1: Turn the product around and read the ingredient list.
Look for ingredients beginning with “poly” or containing names such as:
- Acrylates Copolymer
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Polyacrylamide
- PVP
- Nylon
Step 2: Watch for long chemical names. Plastic ingredients are often hidden behind complex terminology.
Step 3: Use an ingredient checking tool if you're unsure.
Apps such as Plastic Free Future / Beat the Microbead allow you to scan ingredients and identify potential microplastic polymers quickly.
Step 4: Challenge your routine.
Moisturisers, sunscreens, shampoos, cleansers and makeup can all contain plastic ingredients.
Our founder’s perspective
“At Beauty Kitchen we made a decision from the very beginning: plastic doesn’t belong in skincare formulas. We have never used plastic ingredients in our formulations. When we develop products, we look far beyond the obvious ingredients. If there is any uncertainty around whether an ingredient may contain plastic, we simply don’t use it.”
Jo Chidley, Founder of Beauty Kitchen
The bigger picture
Microplastics are now part of a wider conversation about the future of beauty and consumers are increasingly asking:
- What’s in my products?
- Where do those ingredients end up?
- How can I choose better alternatives?
Understanding ingredient lists and identifying plastic ingredients is the first step.
A final thought
As documentaries like "The Plastic Detox" bring microplastics into the spotlight, the beauty industry is being challenged to rethink how products are formulated and packaged.
All Beauty Kitchen products are microplastic-free.
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