Cosmetic products often comprise petrochemical ingredients and nonbiodegradable plastics such as microbeads. When cosmetics containing microbeads are used, the plastic gets rinsed off and can enter waterways.
As consumers become more aware both of where their cosmetic products come from and where they end up, they tend to pay greater attention to product labels. As a result, consumer demand is flourishing for cosmetic products that are free from synthetic ingredients. The use of certain synthetic ingredients such as microbeads has become a global concern, leading several countries to limit or ban their inclusion in personal care products. These consumer trends and regulatory initiatives push manufacturers to shift to naturally sourced ingredients instead, however, the authenticity of ‘natural’ claims is often questioned. Biobased testing is a viable analytical tool for identifying presence of petrochemical derived ingredients such as microbeads and other additives which helps to substantiate natural claims and identify fraud.
Background: banning the microbead
Microbeads are: “extremely small pieces of plastic, used especially in cleaning products as exfoliating agents,” commonly referred to as microplastics.1Scientific research demonstrates over eight trillion microbeads are introduced into aquatic environments daily within the United States alone.2Worldwide, bans or limits on microbeads in cosmetics are prevalent as individuals seem to fear microbead entry into waterways, viewing synthetic ingredients disruptive to the environment.
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