Microplastics - The Hidden Beauty Ingredient

They are present in face washes, moisturizers, sunscreens, and shampoos—silently impacting human health every single day.

Add your section description here.Research by the Plastic Soup Foundation reveals that 90% of skincare and beauty products—including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, shampoos, and sunscreens—contain microplastics.Some products have been found to contain as much as 87% plastic content.

Microplastics are synthetic polymers less than 5mm in size or at times comes in a liquid form, invisible to the naked eye yet harmful to human health. They exist in various forms:

• Microbeads (<2mm) – Used in scrubs and cleansers
• Nanoplastics (<0.1μm) – Found in sunscreens and lotions
• Polymer Fragments – Used as binders, bulking agents, and emulsifiers

• Cost-effective bulking agents to reduce manufacturing expenses
• Convenient for extending product shelf life
• Provide smooth texture, glossy appearance, and foaming properties

However, microplastics form a film-like layer on the skin, blocking oxygen, trapping toxins, and preventing beneficial ingredients from penetrating.

Microplastics in personal care products have been linked to:

• Clogged pores leading to acne and blackheads
• Penetration into the skin and bloodstream, causing hormone disruption
• Skin inflammation, sensitivity, and redness
• Systemic toxicity, including gastrointestinal issues, respiratory stress, and potential carcinogenic effects

• Germany and South Korea have banned microplastics in cosmetics
• The European Union is in the process of enforcing a ban
• India has yet to introduce regulatory restrictions

• A single face cleanser can release between 4,594 and 94,500 microbeads per wash into water systems
• Personal Care and Cosmetics Products (PCCPs) contribute 39 million tonnes of microplastics into oceans annually

The global beauty industry is projected to reach USD 580 billion by 2027, with microplastics playing a significant role in formulations