Microplastics in Your Makeup

Wondering if chemical names like Hydroxyethyl Acrylate, Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate, or Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer qualify as microplastics? Dive into my comprehensive guide for a simplified explanation of this intricate subject.

Unfortunately, microplastics are widely utilized in cosmetics, skincare, and personal care items across the globe. Despite the general understanding of their harmful environmental impact, identifying these substances can be challenging when selecting products.

They serve various purposes, including stabilization, thickening, gelling, bulking, opacifying, emulsifying, optical blurring, smoothing, exfoliating, and encapsulating active ingredients and fragrances to extend shelf life. With their affordability and versatility, microplastics are prevalent in numerous product types, like hydroxyethyl acrylate, commonly found in shampoos and foundations.

What are microplastics? These are tiny plastic particles ranging from millimeters down to nanoscale. Typically polymers, synthetic, and formed through high-heat processes, microplastics are solid, insoluble in water, and nondegradable.

Microplastics are:

• Polymers

• Synthetic (man-made)

• Created using a high heat process that locks in their shape (ex. Thermosetting)

Polymers are:

• A polymer (“poly” = many, “mer” = unit) is simply a molecule that is made by joining many small, similar molecules together. Think of a polymer as a chain, where each link represents a small molecule that combines to form the entire structure.

Microplastics are problematic. These particles primarily enter the environment through wastewater, pervading nearly every aspect of our surroundings—from the air we breathe to the food we consume. Due to their slow decomposition, microplastics endure for decades, posing threats to various ecosystems and organisms.

Microplastics' ecotoxicology is a burgeoning field, yet mounting evidence suggests their adverse effects on biological systems. Unlike larger plastics, microplastics evade standard water treatment, making prevention crucial.

So, how can we identify microplastics in products? It's not as straightforward as you might think. While terms like "acrylate polymer" or "copolymer" seem indicative, many polymers are not plastic and may be environmentally safe. Complicating matters further, microplastics and non-microplastic polymers often share identical names, like Acrylate Copolymer.

In essence, unraveling the microplastics dilemma demands a nuanced understanding of polymers and their production processes.