Out of 95% of skincare products we use daily, have microplastics. Whether as a face wash, an exfoliator, a moisturizer, or an SPF, as per scientific reports , almost all of them contain 0.5% to 5% microplastics. With a significant database that reveals around 51 trillion tonnes of microplastic discharges to the ocean and large aqua bodies, the beauty sector, or precisely the Personal Care and Cosmetics Product sector (PCCPs) itself contributes 39 million tonnes (Lei et al., 2017) every year into it, indicating the human world has been enveloped with plastics and there is no escape out. Although validated with a structural presence in 1972, Microplastics started being extravagantly deployed onwards from the 2000s by beauty formulators for their unique features to condensifying the matter. Despite emulsifiers, microplastics are extensively used as preservatives, exfoliators, and nourishment catalysts, and on top of all these are super economical, sizzled by the tremendous global market revenue worth 440 US billion dollars till 2024, with an undisturbed projection of 580 US billion dollars by 2027, Kukkota et al.

Incredibly cheaper and time saver, while microplastics are incredibly popular among beauty formulators for innumerable reasons, scientists have addressed them as the traitors behind the curtain for their undeniable potential to undermine human health in countless ways, ranging from skin disease to gastrointestinal disorders, pulmonary issues, to even carcinogenic impacts. It was until 2010, when the first started campaigning against microplastics was undertaken by UNEP under the discretion of Beat The Microbead or Plastic Soup Foundation for a permanent forbidding of microplastics from beauty, skincare, and hygiene products, establishing the fact that microplastics are highly detrimental to human health that may not only lead the worst health condition but also can pentetrae just being microscopic in size (<5mm) and directly participate in cellular mutation. While major developed countries like the USA, Europe, S. Korea (Lee et al, 2023) have gradually joined the herd of banning microplastics from beauty products, India is yet to make an active uproar. Putting an end to the palipitation, La Pink has made an august vow to spearhead Indian’s beauty industry, formulating 100% microplastic skincare products and encouraging the nation to embrace polymer-free nourishment and thus build a unique flagship standard of building a 100% microplastic-free beauty regimen.

What Is A Microplastic?

Microplastics (Ziani et al., 2023) are synthetic polymers, typically less than 5mm (5000μm) in size, characterized by their polycarbonate structures. Initially utilized by the food industry for manufacturing containers, foils, and similar materials, microplastics found their way into skincare products in the late 1990s and early 2000s—mainly for condensing and exfoliating capabilities. Also known as microbeads, the most common compounds of microplastics used especially by the PCCPs sector are polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, polystyrene, and nylon. These are primarily used for cleansing, exfoliating, and as rinse-off products by the beauty industry. As per studies, it is found that a single face cleanser can discharge between 4,594 to 94,500 microbeads, with sizes ranging from 164 to 327μm. Besides rinsing off, the bothering factor is that these solid microscopic particles can penetrate to the skin while diluted in leave-on products ( moisturizers, SPF, etc.) that are potentially precarious for the skin in the long run.

Recognizing the environmental and human health risks posed by microplastics, several developed nations have already banned their use in cosmetics and skincare. Following this global shift, India is also setting a new standard in the beauty sector. Leading this change is Mr. Nitin Jain, who has launched La Pink – a skincare brand committed to being entirely microplastic-free. With this initiative, India takes a confident step toward embracing clean beauty— promoting safer products that are better for both people and the planet.

Types of Microplastics

The identification or definition of microplastics has been found a little puzzling to many scientists because of their sizes. Lots of debate still persistent about it. However, to avoid all sorts of confusion, scientists have marked – any synthetic polymer which is <5mm in size can be called microplastic. In corresponds to further disintegration, they further classified mciroplastics in various sub-categories such as microbeads (<2mm) and nanoplastics (nanoplastics <0.1μm). In brief, as per Lambert’s opinion, Microplastic is an umbrella term for many plastic sizes, shapes, polymer types, and colors under <5mm, a result of variant physical and chemical processes, ziani et al.

Microplastics

Microplastics are microscopic synthetic polymers that ranges between <5mm to 0.1μm in sizes. These are insoluble solids that can pass through water. Based on the origin, fragments, sphere, fiber characteristics, and grannules/ pellets of Industrial plastics, microplastics are further subdivided into primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics share a direct correlation with industry production, especially in relation to PCCPs sectors for using them as exfoliators, additives, etc. In contrast, secondary microplastics further degrade primary microplastics as a result of photo-degradation, bio-degradation, and chemical degradation.

Microbeads

Microbeads are a typical form of microplastics with a specific size of <2mm. These are extensively used by beauty sectors. Some of the common microbeads are Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polystyrene (PS), along with some toxicants, namely BPA—Bisphenol A, Styrene, and Phthalates. Microbeads are used for exfoliation, cleansing, foaming, etc.

Nanoplastics

Nanoplastics are the tiniest structures of microplastics of 0.1μm size that come into existence due to macroplastics for various factors such as photodegradation, hydrolysis, biochemical fragmentation, etc. It is found that nanoplastics are used in sunscreen infused with TiO2, ZnO, silica, and PE.

Microplastics in PCCPs Sectors/ Beauty Industries

Microplastics are capable of putting human lives at a great stake. Formulated in both leave-on and rinse-off products, microplastics initially turn the skin dry and flaky in texture, corresponding to greater loss in the long run, at a gradual step. This covers a wide range, including clogged pores to breakouts, high oxidative stress, or aged and dull skin. On top of all, these indicate a higher inclination to skin cancer.

How Are These Used?

It is found that a single face wash discharges around 4594 and 94,500 microbeads/ microplastics of 164 and 327 µm sizes in every wash. In aggravation of this fact, it is also found that an average of 51 trillion tonnes of microplastics are discharged into the ocean water every year. However, this is how microplastics are used by PCCP sectors.

As an exfoliator in face washes, face scrubs, and body cleansers
As nourishment emollients in moisturizers, creams, etc.
Inside SPF ingredients to hinder UV rays and terrestrial pollutants
As emulsifiers to thicken skincare products and additives for extended product life
In toothpaste for cleansing
Lastly, for economic convenience, as microplastics are affordable
Possible Impacts of Microplastics on Human Health

List of Commonly Used Microplastics by The Beauty Sector

List of Chemicals	Potential Impacts
Bisphenol A (BPA)	Endocrine disruption
Phthalates	Endocrine disruption, developmental disorders
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)	Neurological and developmental disorders
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)	Cancer, immune system dysfunction
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)	Hepatotoxicity
Triclosan	Antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption
Styrene	Respiratory irritant, potential carcinogen
Formaldehyde	Respiratory irritant, increased cancer risk
Benzene	Hematological disorders, increased cancer risk
Lead	Neurological injury, developmental issues

(Source: MD et al., 2024 )

Potential Impacts of Microplastics on Human Health

Microplastics are toxic. Scientists have found out their potential to endanger human lives in multiple ways. For example, Polystyrene and Polypropylene escalate oxidative stress, cell deformation, skin homeostasis, respiratory stress, etc. Polyacrylamide, Bisphenol A, and Phthalates disseminate contamination, Polyacrylamide instills neurotoxicities, and so on. However, a comprehensive view on how microplastics are causing harm to human bodies is given below.

Gastrointestinal / Endocrine Exposure: Primary responsible polymer compounds are Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET).
Pulmonary Exposure: Leads to pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress
Dermal Exposure: Caused by Bisphenol, Phthalates, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Polyacrylamide that lead to neurotoxicities, cell deformations, cancer, and skin homeostasis.

Microplastics & Toxicities: Overall Impact

Cellular and Intracellular deformation
Pulmonary inflammation, respiratory stress, oxidative stress
Metabolic homeostasis
Reproductive toxicity
Neurotoxicity
Carcinogenicity
Epidermis homeostasis, pigmentation, etc.

List of Major Polymers with Functions Used in the PCCPs Industry

Sr. No.	Polymer Name	Functions in PCCP Formulations
1.	Acrylates copolymer	Binder, hair fixative, film formation, suspending agent
2.	Allyl stearate/vinyl acetate copolymers	Film formation, hair fixative
3.	Butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer	Viscosity controlling
4.	Ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer	Viscosity controlling
5.	Ethylene/ methyl acrylate copolymer	Film formation
6.	Ethylene/acrylate copolymer	Film formation in waterproof sunscreen, gellant (e.g. lipstick, stick products, hand creams)
7.	Nylon-12 (polyamide-12)	Bulking, viscosity controlling, opacifying (e.g. wrinkle creams)
8.	Nylon-6	Bulking agent, viscosity controlling
9.	Poly (butylene terephthalate)	Film formation, viscosity controlling
10.	Poly (ethylene isoterephthalate)	Bulking agent
11.	Poly (ethylene terephthalate)	Adhesive, film formation, hair fixative; viscosity controlling, aesthetic agent, (e.g., glitters in bubble bath, make-up)
12.	Poly (methyl methylacrylate)	Sorbent for delivery of active ingredients
13.	Poly (pentaerythrityl terephthalate)	Film formation
14.	Poly (propylene terephthalate	Emulsion stabilizing, skin conditioning
15.	Polyethylene	Abrasive, film forming, viscosity controlling, binder for powders
16.	Polypropylene	Bulking agent, viscosity increasing agent
17.	Polystyrene	Film formation
18.	Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)	Bulking agent, slip modifier, binding agent, skin conditioner
19.	Polyurethane	Film formation (e.g.. facial masks, sunscreen, mascara)
20.	Polyacrylate	Viscosity controlling
21.	Styrene acrylates copolymer	Aesthetic, colored microspheres (e.g., makeup)
22.	Trimethylsiloxysilicate (silicone resin)	Film formation (e.g., color cosmetics, skincare, suncare)

(Source: Toxic Links Report, p-17)

Alternatives to Microplastics in Beauty Products

Duly in the continuous research to find alternatives to microplastics in beauty products, scientists have immensely emphasized natural and herbal ingredients sourced directly from nature. Popular among these are rice water starch, walnut beads, maize starch, followed by completely pure nature-driven formulations. La Pink has exactly followed this objective. Relying on the principle of skin-friendly and eco-resilient beauty regimen, Mr. Nitin Jain – the founder of La Pink, firmly believes, there is no alternative to nature. Thus, backed by innovative formulations with purely natural extracts, La Pink is India’s first beauty brand to formulate not only natural but also 100% microplastic-free skincare products. However, commonly recommended alternatives to microplastics are revealed below.

Possible Alternatives to Microplastics in Beauty & Cosmetics Sector

Sr. No	List of Alternatives	Density/ Sp. Gravity
1	Almond Shells	1.1
2	Apricot Kernels	0.98
3	Bamboo Resin (or powder)	1.16
4	Bitter Orange	0.84
5	Citric Acid	1.54
6	Coconut Husk	1.33
7	Jojoba Wax	0.85
8	Maize Powder	1.5
9	Microcrystalline Cellulose	1.44
10	Oats	1.01
11	Olive Stones	0.66
12	Pineapple Bark	0.4
13	Sugar	1.587
14	Tagua Nut	1.41
15	Walnut Shell Powder	1.30
16	Wheat Bran	0.22
17	Pearls (Animal Products)	2.73

(Source: Hunt et al., 2020)

How Is La Pink Reshaping the Indian Beauty Industry?

While microplastics have gained global traction as a key component in skincare formulations, India remained relatively passive on this front until the end of 2022. That changed with the visionary efforts of Mr. Nitin Jain, who introduced La Pink, an eco-conscious beauty brand rooted in sustainability and innovation. Driven by the goal of redefining beauty standards, La Pink emerged as a pioneering force in India's clean beauty movement—committed to crafting skincare that’s not only effective but also 100% microplastic-free.

Besides being 100% microlastic-free and purely natural, all of La Pink’s skin staples are free from SLS, paraben, sulfate, and through FDA-accredited, which earns the brand accolades as a 100% skin-safe brand. Steamed by the aspiration of transforming the Indian beauty sector free of plastics, free of chemicals, and free of formulative dirt, Mr. Jain thus has committed himself wholeheartedly to an evolutionary beauty paradigm – from chemically adulterated formations to 100% natural, pure, and microplastic-free skin staples.

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