Flushing plastic down the drain!

Great work, Beth! I saw your TEDs and was very impressed with your initiative and achievements. I'm starting to work on this marine litter subject and fortunatelly it's becoming well disseminated. Not so well known, however, if the impact microplastics can have and scientists are only recently strating to understand how these particles are entering the food-web. Addressing the issue above regarding the waste water treatment plants, most systems will unlikely remove these tiny particles (some peer-reviewed articles have discussed it) an therefore it is expected that most of our exfoliating residues will end in rivers and seas. This is totally unnecessary, as there are so many alternatives to plastic microspheres, as you so well exemplified. Here's a recently created petition on the subject: http://www.change.org/petitions/cosmetic-manufacturers-stop-contributing-to-marine-plastic-pollution-with-your-exfoliating-scrubs It would be great if you could disseminate it among like-minded people. Best wishes

Doesn't the water treatment facility remove this from the treated water?

Don't forget about Dermadoctor KP Duty body scrub. Its exfoliant is polyethylene beads.

Hi, just found your blog from a permaculture forum. http://www.ewg.org maintains a very useful database of known toxins in cosmetics and bath products:http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

Just discovered your blog, it´s great. I read ´The World Without Us´ while on holiday and got very upset about the small plastic beads in body scrubs, so I am pleased to see that the message is getting out. What do the manufacturers of these products have to say about this matter? Shouldn´t there be some sort of ban on their use?Thanks Beth for such a good blogSue Jones

I'm so glad to find this post. I've been using one of the plastic-containing brands, and I had no idea. The concept that I'm washing my face with plastic that will go down the drain and stay in our environment -- argh! I'm going to try one of the alternatives mentioned in your blog or the comments. Thanks for sharing this information.

Hi GuamGal. It doesn't look like it's got plastic in it. I think the moisture beads are made from gelatin. The things that have plastic are exfolliating scrubs that feel rough on your skin.That said, there are some worrisome ingredients in the bodywash. For one thing, the label lists "fragrance," which probably means phthalates. Check out my post about Pure & Natural soap for more info about fragrance and phthalates:http://www.fakeplasticfish.com/2008/06/pure-natural-is-just-name-not.htmlBeth

I bought some Softsoap bodywash with moisture beads. http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=165899&catid=64337The label doesn't list polyethylene, but I'm wondering if those moisture beads are of the same stuff, or if they dissolve. Can you help me?Thanks for an awesome blog! I live on Guam so the firsthand effects of what we toss in the water (with intent and otherwise) are especially clear to me.

This is revolting! It's so unnecessary!

MyChelles "incredible pumpkin peel" is a glorious way to exfoliate, especially if like me one has sensitive skin; it exfoliates helps cellular turnover and truly leaves my face smooth and soft, doesn't dry out at all! I wish more of the world were as conscious as this gem of an article merci

I accidentally posted anonymously but I asked the question about what to do with product that I have...Throwing it away would mean throwing away a 32oz. recyclable plastic bottle as well as the plastic pump and stem. I could empty the bottle into something - I fear that just putting it in the trash it will end up in the soil and still pollute.I hate these kind of conundrums! This reminds me of most elections - which is the lesser of the two evils choice?!

Dear anonymous professional esthetician, please reread the article. It is not about whether or not polyethylene beads are safe for the face. It's whether or not flushing them down the drain is safe for our oceans and eco-system. Plastic accumulates toxins in the environment and enters the food chain. Please do some more reading about this issue. The article, Plastic Ocean, on my left sidebar is a great place to start.

As a professional esthetician polyethelyne beads are safe. They do not enter the peidermis at all, they are rounded with soft edges so no micro-tears on the epidermis like the apricot scrubs (which are never to be used on the face - ever!)- yes I know they saw that on the package - NEVER ON THE FACE!!! Micro tears intot he epidermis (if you were to look at the skin under a microscope). These micro tears allow bacteria (good and bad to enter the skin). Polyethelyne beads don't sound so bad after all do they? Have a nice day ladies!

Hi Anonymous. What to do with the unused product? I think in this case it would probably do less harm in a landfill than being allowed to flush down the drain. You don't want to add more plastic to our waterways. Anyone else have a different opinion?

That's crazy! Thanks for sharing that!Back when I used a scrub, I used something from the Body Shop that was basically ground up azuki beans. I'd never even think to suspect there was PLASTIC in facial scrub.

Wow. Who knew?!?!?!? I'm glad my rosacea-riddled face forced me to quit using scrubs some years ago! It's just frigtening how pervasive it is! Thanks for the research!

I used to work in the cosmetics industry. The reason plastic is used for scrubs is that the size and shape of the bead can be controlled which is better for your skin abrasive-wise and product packaging. If the size and shape of the beads are controlled the pumps/bottles are a stable size in addition to the benefits to your skin.Those that use apricot, peach, avocado, etc... use the seed/pit and when those are ground there is no control and many of the pieces are sharp which scratch/cut the skin. Abrading your skin several times a week is not good - especially your face.It's interesting, the product I used to represent uses polyethylene. I still use it because it is the best product I have ever used. However, I never even thought about the plastic until reading this. Of course I know it contained plastic but I never thought of it - wishful non-connection?!I'm sure I can find something better for me and the environment - I like some of the suggestions other posters left.What are the suggestions to do with the product I have left?

I just read about how polyethylene beads in body scrubs are consumed by animals that live in the water. Of course I have 2 products with them that I won't be using any more! Thanks for providing the info. Check out the book The World Without Us for more about plastic in the oceans.

Thanks so much for providing a list of the cleansers that don't have plastic beads. I just found out yesterday about the problem, and of course the Oil of Olay I'm using had the plastic. I'll switch to one of the others right away.

Aw crud, the one I have has polyethelene in it. So do I throw it out or what???Anyway, you can make your own body scrub. Just mix equal amounts of sugar or salt (your preference although most use sugar) and olive oil or any other veggie oil. You can add herbs like rosemary or lavender for the aromatherapy benefits.

I think using a washcloth every day will remove as much dead skin as a scrub. You can spread moisurizer, cleansing lotion or soap lather on wet skin and go over it with a damp washcloth or use a damp washcloth with nothing else. Baking soda is a great exfoliator. I combine it with any lotion I can put on my face and very, very gently work it over my skin and then rinse. If you apply too much pressure, you'll "scratch" the skin, since baking soda is an abrasive. But I scrub it along the sides of and on the soles of my feet, where the skin is tough.

Ugh. Why would anyone want to wash his or her face with plastic beads? That's like ... I don't know, using a plastic toilet brush to scrub your back!

Crap. That sucks. I'm glad I've never used any of those brands. Right now I'm using Desert Sun or something like that with Jojoba and Almond meal or something. I also usually use Saint Ives Apricot which has walnuts. Only problem there some say that's too harsh for your skin. Can't imagine plastic is much better! Thanks for the info.