Skin Care Awareness – Are Microbeads in Your Skin Care Polluting Oceans & Waterways?

Who would have thought that the tiny microbeads often found in cleansers, scrubs, soaps and toothpastes could be polluting the ocean when washed down the drain?  According to a study published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, high concentrations of microplastics of similar size, shape, texture and composition to plastic microbeads found in consumer products were found in the Great Lakes.  But that’s just one water way, these plastic microbeads are causing pollution problems in oceans and waterways worldwide. 

According to BeatTheMicroBead.org, a website created by The 5 Gyres Institute to raise awareness of the issue, a single product can contain thousands of micro 

beads and they could constitute up to 10 percent by volume of a single product.

How Do I Know Which Products Contain Microbeads?

Products that list polyethylene or polypropylene on the label contain microbeads.  You can also download the Beat the Microbead app, which allows users to easily check if a product contains microbeads by scanning the product’s barcode.

What Other Product Options Are There?

There is an array of fantastic natural and sustainable alternatives to plastic microbeads available today.  Instead of using plastic beads, consider other natural options like scrubs with ground-up seeds and stone pits from fruits or crushed walnut husks, oats, coffee grounds, salt, bamboo powder and sugar.  Rest assured that none of the products we retail or use in our skin and body care treatments at Balance Spa contain microbeads.  Also consider that enzymes and acids are other ingredients that can effectively exfoliate your skin without damaging the environment.  Next time you come in for your facial or body treatment, ask us about the ingredients in our exfoliation products.  We believe that knowledge is power and by educating our clients we can all contribute to a more balanced environment. 

Source:  American Spa Magazine, July 2015, Nicole Altavilla