It may not seem like very much plastic can come from just one person washing their face with a microbead face wash, but the cumulative effect of using products with plastic microbeads adds to the 8 million tons of plastic that end up in our oceans every year, per the University of Bath. Those microbeads and other microplastics in the water will get eaten by fish who mistake it for food. Alarmingly enough, researchers discovered that "persistent organic pollutants accumulate in the tissue of fish that eat microbeads," according to Science Alert.
We may not have to say goodbye to microbeads forever, though. On the horizon could be biodegradable microbeads; in fact, researchers and engineers have created cellulose microbeads that will naturally break down, as explained by the University of Bath. But for now, it's best to avoid using products with microbeads in them. Per Beat the Microbead, check the ingredient labels in your face wash and avoid anything that includes any of the following: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), nylon (PA), polyurethane, or acrylates copolymer.
There are other better and more natural options to get a good exfoliation. DIY Natural suggests using coffee, almonds, sugar, oatmeal, and baking soda to exfoliate without causing serious pollution. Plus, as the website states, "the best exfoliators are all-natural" and can save you some coin at checkout.
