How to detect microplastics in cosmetics

On average, a woman uses up to eight cosmetic products a day. A single scrub can contain up to 360 microplastics. Mascara is 90 percent full of plastic.

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microplastics in cosmetics

Microplastics They are small synthetic particles, present as ingredients in a multitude of cosmetics. Like all types of microplastics, their use is highly debated as it is one of the main causes of pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Having used a cosmetic product containing microplastics, a simple rinse is enough for these highly polluting substances to end up in the sewer system and, from there, directly into the sea. On the other hand, identifying microplastics, even in quantitative terms, is not difficult.

What to look for in labels

To identify the presence of microplastics in cosmetics, from the type of microplastic to its relative quantity, simply read the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients), or the product label, carefully. These are the most common substances that indicate the presence of microplastics:

Solid plastic

  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)
  • Nylon-6, Nylon-12
  • Acrylates Copolymer (AC)
  • Acrylates Crosspolymer (ACS)
  • Polyurethanes (PU)

Other non-biodegradable synthetic polymers 

  • polyquaternium
  • Carbomer
  • Dimethicone and other silicones including Cyclopentasiloxathere is cyclohexasiloxane, etc.)

Plastic-free cosmetic products

Some certifications and brands indicate the absence of microplastics in cosmetics. In particular:

  • Plastic Soup Foundation – “Zero Plastic Inside”
  • COSMOS Organic
  • NATRUE
  • ECOCERT

Instead, we must be careful not to fall into some trap: the words "natural" and " ” do not guarantee the absence of microplastics.

How much microplastic do cosmetics contain?

 According to a study conducted on 672 products by the environmentalist association Greenpeace, and published online under the title "Makeup Is There But You Can't See It," plastic elements were found in 79 percent of cases, even in abundance. Moreover, these cosmetics, through clever marketing ploys, do not fall within the highly restricted categories identified by law. The result: 90 percent of mascaras contain plastic, followed by lipsticks and lip glosses (85 percent), foundations (74 percent), and face powders (43 percent). According to the Greenpeace report, 38 percent of plastic bags found in these products can be classified as microplastic. A single scrub can contain over 360 plastic microbeads.

Microplastics in cosmetics sold in Italy

An investigation into microplastics contained in cosmetic products on sale in Italy has been carried out by the MedSharks association with the technical support of the CNR ISMAC Biella, the University of Salento and the University of Roma Tre. The study focused on polyethylene (PE), which accounts for 94% of the microplastics found in cosmetic products. Analysis of a product listing polyethylene as the main ingredient after water revealed that a 250 ml bottle contained as many as 750.000 fragments of the substance, for a total weight of 12 grams. These figures are truly impressive when compared to the quantity of cosmetic products used each year. and considering that, in a single day, a woman, on average, can use up to eight cosmetics.

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