New Delhi: The growing concern around microplastics and their impact on the environment, as well as human health, is a critical issue that spans multiple industries. These are problems that pertain to several fields of industry obligations. Among the less discussed reasons for this global problem is the skincare and cosmetic industry. Almost everyone uses cosmetics, and all of them are carriers of microplastics which are detrimental to the environment and infiltrate the body, with their residues appearing in breast milk and even in the fetus. This article raises the questions of how microplastics end up getting lodged into cosmetic formulations, to speak of their consequences, and what the industry or consumers can do to combat the issue.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director, of Auriga Research, explained how microplastics seep into cosmetics and how it affects the skin.
Three Major Sources of Microplastics in Cosmetics
Microplastics in cosmetics are generated in three primary ways: packaging materials, aesthetic additives like plastic beads, and non-biodegradable polymers used as viscosity enhancers. Each of these sources contributes to the growing plastic pollution crisis, but fortunately, there are solutions at hand.
Microplastics from Packaging Materials: First and foremost is from the packaging material and the container closure system because the entire cosmetic industry is very heavily dependent on plastics, right from tubes, packets, pouches, bottles, pumps, and sprays, all packaging components are typically now made from plastics. From the production and discard of these materials into the environment, a lot of micro-plastics are generated which will continue to persist. So it is very important to have a move towards more eco-friendly and recyclable packaging as well as better handling of the waste which is generated from the traditional packaging.
Aesthetic Plastic Beads in Products: The second source of micro-plastics here is the visible beads which are added to a lot of products. They look very appealing aesthetically when you see colourful beads inside your face wash or the scrubbing beads inside the face scrub. These are very, very difficult to recycle and control and should completely be avoided. Most of the industry is moving away from plastic beads and adopting more eco-friendly options of beads that are soluble and biodegradable, going towards cellulose and other biopolymer-based beads, which give the same aesthetic while avoiding the use of plastics within the products. These micro-plastic beads were a very popular trend a few years ago, but now it is rapidly dying out in the industry, with the focus moving towards more sustainable materials.
Non-Biodegradable Polymers as Viscosity Enhancers: The third source of micro-plastics is much less discussed, and even some people do not consider it to be micro-plastic by definition. But a lot of the cosmetic skincare products, and these products, they are using viscosity enhancers, and polymers, which are not biodegradable. So like styrene-based and other large polymeric viscosity enhancers, which cannot be biodegraded, can also be considered as micro-plastic and persist in the environment for a very long time. Here, again, the industry is taking conscious steps to move away from such polymers and use more biodegradable and environment-friendly polymers so that this too can be avoided.
Taking Action: A Call for Sustainable Practices
Addressing the problem of microplastics in cosmetics requires a comprehensive approach that involves all stakeholders: from the manufacturers to the consumers. The industry must continue to innovate by adopting eco-friendly packaging, eliminating plastic beads, and replacing non-biodegradable polymers with sustainable alternatives.
All these three sources can be taken care of by having a proper plan right from the development up to the end of the life cycle of the product and participation from both the industry as well as the consumers so that they are avoided in the product and whatever is unavoidable is properly recycled and handled at the customer’s end.
Microplastics in cosmetics are generated in three primary ways: packaging materials, aesthetic additives like plastic beads, and non-biodegradable polymers used as viscosity enhancers. Each of these sources contributes to the growing plastic pollution crisis, but fortunately, there are solutions at hand. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
