CERTIFIED PLASTIC FREE BEAUTY PRODUCTS
You already know that we are committed to ending single use plastic waste with our reusable zero waste skincare packaging. So how else can we help you find ways to reduce plastic use in the bathroom? This is where we can shine a light on the importance of natural and sustainable formulations - what’s on the inside counts just as much!
Many beauty product formulations are made up of ingredients that contain microplastics, often as cheap fillers. Whilst we are enjoying our self-care routines or evening soaks in the bath, we are ultimately washing these plastic ingredients down our drains and into our water supplies, eventually harming marine life habitats with microplastic pollution.
Aren’t Microplastics Banned in Cosmetics?
Previously, brands would purposely add tiny plastic particles (microbeads) to products such as body scrubs and cleansers for an exfoliating effect. In 2018, these microbeads were banned in the UK (yay!) - however, over 500 microplastic filled ingredients can still legally be used in formulations.
Looks can be deceiving as these ingredients can be synthetic liquids that feel smooth and silky in texture, and you would have no idea that there is plastic inside, but it’s estimated that the cosmetics industry uses 8,700 tonnes of microplastics each year.
As of 2022, almost nine-in-ten (87%) products from major cosmetics brands contain microplastic ingredients. We are in the minority that use 100% microplastic free ingredients, and we want this to become the majority when it comes to beauty and beyond!
Effective, Natural, Sustainable
These are three words we stand by with all our products and their formulations. We believe in sustainably sourced and naturally derived ingredients that are scientifically proven to work. That’s why we never have and never will use plastic ingredients in any of our products.
Whether it’s your favourite collagen boosting facial oil, your natural cream cleanser or even a hydrating moisturiser, you can be sure that ours are sustainable from the inside out - packaging included!
There’s an App for That
We are dedicated to sharing knowledge to prevent plastic pollution and microplastics use in the beauty industry and beyond.
The informative app ‘Beat the Microbead’ has been launched by our friends at the Plastic Soup Foundation which allows you to self-scan products and identify more than 500 types of microplastics. We challenge you as part of Plastic Free July to try it out as one of your simple steps to a microplastic free skincare routine!
You can download the app for free here or see below for the red flag list of microplastic ingredients!
The Plastic Soup Foundation RED FLAG microplastic ingredients
As we mentioned there are more than 500 known microplastic ingredients used in cosmetics, but here is a quick list of the ones that are most heavily used, so you can keep an eye out on your products’ ingredient list:
- Acrylates Copolymer
- Acrylates Crosspolymer
- Butylene
- Carbomer
- Dimethicone
- Ethylene
- Methacrylate Copolymer
- Methacrylate Crosspolymer
- Methyl Methacrylate Copolymer
- Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
- Nylon
- Polyacrylamide
- Polyacrylate
- Polypropylene
- Polyurethane
- Polyvinyl
- Propylene Copolymer or Polypropylene
- PVP
- Styrene Copolymer
- Tetrafluoroethylene
- Vinyl Acetate Copolymer
- VP/VA Copolymer