Microplastics in Cosmetics: What’s Really Inside the Jar?

Microplastic Ingredients in the Cosmetics Industry: What You’re Not Being Told

Microplastics in cosmetics are often overlooked—but they’re far more common than we think. They’re not just in glittery scrubs or exfoliating beads. Many of them are hidden in everyday cosmetics and personal care products, quietly added to cosmetics under names that sound scientific, harmless, or even natural.

When I first started paying attention to the environmental footprint of my beauty routine, I focused on the obvious: jars, bottles, labels. But it didn’t take long to realize that the real issue wasn’t only what I was storing my creams in—it was what I was spreading on my skin.

In fact, the cosmetics industry has long relied on microplastic ingredients to enhance product texture, spreadability, and shelf life. And while beads and glitter may be easy to spot, many synthetic polymers used in cosmetics and personal care products are invisible to the naked eye—and even harder to wash away from ecosystems.

These materials—often legally added to cosmetics under technical names like acrylates copolymer or dimethicone—aren’t always covered by regulation. Yet they linger, both on our skin and in the environment.

💡What Is Microplastic, Exactly?

By definition, microplastics are pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters in size. These tiny fragments can be found throughout the environment—on land, in water, and increasingly, in our personal care routines.

There are two main types:

• Primary microplastics: intentionally created pieces of plastic, often added to cosmetics for texture, film formation, or light-reflecting properties.
• Secondary microplastics: formed when larger plastic items degrade over time through friction, UV exposure, or heat—eventually breaking down into microscopic particles.

But here’s the catch: not all microplastics are solid. In fact, many of the microplastics used in the cosmetic industry are liquid, gel-like, or even water-soluble. These synthetic substances are often invisible, but they still function like plastic—and behave like plastic when they enter natural ecosystems.

The latest european union restriction (2023/2055) offers a narrow definition of microplastics, referring specifically to solid, non-biodegradable plastic particles. This means that ingredients like dimethicone, polyquaternium, and acrylates copolymer—though synthetic and persistent—are still allowed in formulations simply because they’re not classified as “solid.”

In other words: if it looks like plastic, acts like plastic, and stays in the environment like plastic… should we still be putting it on our skin?

Microplastics Used in Cosmetics: What They Are and Where They Hide

We often associate microplastics with obvious culprits like glitter or scrubbing beads—but the reality is much broader and more complex. There are two main types: primary and secondary microplastics.

Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured—these include tiny plastic particles like microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics, often found in everyday products such as facial cleansers and shower gels. They’re designed for texture, spreadability, or to create a breathable film (that usually isn’t all that breathable).

Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are the result of breakdown—when larger plastic packaging or particles degrade over time, shedding invisible fragments into the environment. While packaging is a well-known source, what’s less understood is that microplastics used in cosmetics often enter water systems directly through our drains, long before the jar ever gets recycled.

The real issue? Many of these ingredients aren’t even recognized as problematic—simply because they don’t look like traditional plastic. Campaigns like Beat the Microbead have helped raise awareness, but most people still don’t realize how deeply embedded synthetic polymers are in everyday personal care products.

Understanding the Different Forms of Microplastics in Cosmetics

Knowing what names to look for is just one part of the puzzle. To really understand microplastics in personal care products, we also need to look at the form these materials take inside the formula—not just their names on the label.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the physical forms of microplastic particles commonly used in cosmetics:

What makes this more complicated is that only solid plastic particles are currently included in most legal definitions—like the new EU regulation. That means gel, liquid, and soluble polymeric materials are still widely used, even in so-called “clean” formulas.

And while plastics and microplastics may sound like something far removed from your daily skincare routine, many of them are hidden in plain sight—inside your facial cleanser, your hair styling cream, or that ultra-smooth serum you love.

But if a substance doesn’t break down in nature—or serve your skin’s biology—does it really belong in your beauty routine?

Why Microplastics in Cosmetics Are a Problem — Even When They’re “Legal”

Many synthetic polymers found in beauty products are still legally permitted—largely because they don’t meet the narrow, highly specific definition of a “microplastic” under current EU legislation. As long as they’re not solid and larger than 5 millimeters, most of them simply fly under the radar. But that doesn’t mean they’re safe—or sustainable.

According to the Plastic Soup Foundation, these substances are commonly used across categories—from shower gels and facial cleansers to sunscreens, serums, and even lipstick. In many cases, microplastics are added intentionally during the formulation process, not by accident. Their role is to enhance texture, improve shelf stability, or give that soft, smooth “second-skin” feeling on application. And because they often appear as liquid, gel-like, or water-soluble polymers, they’re not even seen as a threat—just a functional ingredient.

But let’s be honest: if we’re washing them off every day, where do they go?

These invisible ingredients contribute silently but significantly to microplastic pollution, flowing from our bathrooms into wastewater systems, and eventually reaching oceans and rivers. The result? Long-term accumulation of microplastics in the environment, where they don’t just “disappear.” They linger, break down into even smaller particles, and begin to interact with aquatic organisms and the food chain.

Recent scientific research supports this concern. A 2023 review published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that even non-solid or water-soluble polymeric materials—like those found in cosmetics—can persist in aquatic environments, interact with biological systems, and potentially disrupt ecosystem health (PubMed ID: 38976961). What we thought was “gentle” might be anything but.

And this is exactly why I turn to DIY skincare. When I formulate my own products, I know every ingredient. I choose plant-based, biodegradable materials that nurture the skin and don’t add to the planet’s plastic burden.
It’s not just a beauty choice—it’s an ecological one.

While Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 officially came into effect on October 17, 2023, it offers a long, phased timeline for compliance. According to Coslaw.eu, exfoliating microbeads and plastic loose glitter are already banned—but most products have years to adapt:

• Rinse-off cosmetics: deadline October 17, 2027
• Leave-on products (like creams and foundations): deadline October 17, 2029
• Lip products and glittery makeup items: deadline October 17, 2035

That means many synthetic polymers will remain legally present in everyday cosmetics for the next decade—even in products marketed as “clean” or “natural.”

And that’s exactly why I choose to act now, not in 2035.

9 Harmful Effects of Microplastics in Cosmetics

1. Persistent in Nature
   Microplastic ingredients, whether solid or liquid, are not biodegradable, meaning they linger in the environment long after rinsing off.
2. Build Up in Aquatic Ecosystems
   These particles enter waterways, contributing to marine pollution and harming fish, plankton, and aquatic food chains.
3. Invisible Entry Into the Food Chain
   Microplastics accumulate in marine life—ultimately returning to us through seafood and drinking water.
4. Unknown Impact on Skin Health
   There is still limited research on how daily skin exposure to synthetic polymers affects long-term skin health.
5. Potential Hormonal and Immune Disruption
   Some studies (like PubMed ID: 36681374) suggest endocrine and immune interference through transdermal absorption of microplastic residues.
6. Legal Yet Problematic
   Many ingredients like dimethicone or polyquaterniums are still legally used, despite lacking environmental safety validation.
7. False Sense of “Clean”
   Just because a product is labeled “natural” or “sensitive” doesn’t mean it’s free from microplastic ingredients.
8. Misleading Green Claims
   Terms like “natural origin” are often used to mask the true synthetic nature of polymeric ingredients.
9. Disconnection from Sustainable Beauty
   The continued use of non-biodegradable polymers goes against sustainable practices and the principles of a circular economy.

Beyond Europe: Why Global Beauty Still Has a Plastic Problem

While the European Union has taken the lead in restricting microplastics—through Regulation 2023/2055—the rest of the world is moving much more slowly, and often inconsistently.

In the United States, for example, only solid plastic microbeads in rinse-off exfoliants are banned under the Microbead-Free Waters Act (2015). But this law doesn’t cover liquid microplastics, water-soluble polymers, or film-forming agents like dimethicone and acrylates copolymer—which are still widely used in everything from facial cleansers to lip gloss.

Elsewhere, progress is just beginning. Canada has announced plans to eliminate microbeads in cosmetics, but hasn’t yet addressed polymers in cream or serum textures. Australia relies on voluntary commitments by brands. Japan and China have banned solid exfoliating beads in limited categories, but not microplastics in broader formulations.

In most of these regions, microplastics in cosmetics are not fully defined or regulated—which means plastic particles are still added to personal care products daily, with no clear end in sight.

That’s why awareness matters. Because when legislation lags, conscious formulation becomes our frontline defense.

How I’m Replacing Microplastics in My DIY Skincare

When I formulate my own skincare, I don’t just look at what feels nice or sounds plant-based—I go deeper. For me, replacing microplastics is not just about avoiding a trend-driven ingredient list. It’s a conscious, values-based step toward reducing both potential risks to the environment and unnecessary, synthetic buildup on the skin.

I start with natural ingredients that have stood the test of time—those used in traditional skincare rituals across cultures, not just the latest “green” lab creation. Cold-pressed oils like jojoba, plum kernel, or raspberry seed bring nourishment and stability. Gentle clays help purify without stripping. Fermented plant extracts support skin health with life-giving bioactivity.

Instead of relying on film-formers and silicone-like textures, I reach for ingredients that work with the skin’s biology—offering softness, glow, and balance without masking or suffocating. These are the materials that align with waste minimization, because they don’t require high-tech purification or produce plastic residues. And they don’t demand a complicated end-of-life plan—they simply return to the earth.

And the best part? More and more scientific research confirms that these unassuming components can match—or even outperform—synthetic polymers when it comes to hydration, skin feel, and overall compatibility.

To me, this is the future of beauty. One that respects the body and the biosphere equally. By formulating this way, I’m not just making products—I’m promoting sustainable choices that begin long before the jar is filled, and continue long after it’s empty.

👉 Want to explore the ingredients I choose instead of polymers like dimethicone or acrylates? Here’s my guide to trusted DIY skincare ingredients.

Clean Beauty Means More Than Just Paraben-Free

We’ve come a long way in the beauty world—ditching parabens, choosing glass jars, and learning how to read ingredient labels. But clean beauty isn’t just about what we leave out—it’s about what we’re still letting in.

From lip gloss to nail polishes, makeup items, and even sun protection products, traces of synthetic polymers and microplastics used in cosmetics are still alarmingly common—and often legally permitted. But their invisible impact is far-reaching, spreading beyond the skin and deep into our water systems.

Microplastic pollution doesn’t always begin with packaging. It often starts with a swipe of shimmer, a “smoothing” serum, or a “long-lasting” label that hides what your skin—and the ocean—can’t break down. Every rinse, every wash, every swipe adds up.

But there’s another way. By focusing on the replacement of microplastics with truly natural alternatives, we’re not only protecting our skin’s integrity—we’re actively contributing to a vision of sustainable cosmetics rooted in respect, awareness, and care. Every DIY formulation becomes a quiet rebellion. A personal decision that ripples outward.

When we create consciously—starting with simple, natural and biodegradable ingredients—we’re not just choosing what’s best for us. We’re participating in something bigger: the quiet regeneration of ecosystems, the promotion of circular economy values, and the global push toward transparent, earth-respecting beauty.

For me, clean beauty means nothing plastic on my skin—and nothing plastic left behind. It’s skin care that cares back.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How can I recognize microplastics in cosmetics?

The easiest way is to check the INCI list. Watch out for names like Acrylates Copolymer, Polyquaternium-7, VP/VA Copolymer, and anything with PEG, -methicone, or -polymer. These are often polymeric materials that function like plastic—even if they don’t look like it. Apps like Beat the Microbead can also help.

❓ Are microplastics banned in the EU?

Partially. The 2023 EU restriction (Regulation 2023/2055) bans solid, non-biodegradable microplastics in rinse-off products, but allows many other synthetic polymers—especially if they are liquid, water-soluble, or claimed to be biodegradable. Full enforcement for some categories (like makeup) won’t happen for years.

❓ Is dimethicone a microplastic—and where is it found?

Dimethicone is a liquid silicone polymer. It’s not classified as a microplastic by law, but it’s non-biodegradable and often considered a liquid microplastic due to its persistence in the environment.

You’ll often find it in:

• Facial creams
• Primers and foundations
• Hair serums
• Sunscreens
• Lip glosses

It gives that silky, smooth feel—but it doesn’t break down in nature.

For a full list of similar ingredients, check the Guide to Microplastics by Plastic Soup Foundation.

❓ What can I use instead of acrylates copolymer?

Plenty! In my formulations, I use natural alternatives like fermented plant gums, lecithin, oat beta-glucan, or simple herbal extracts to create emulsification, texture, or gloss. These ingredients are not only skin-friendly—they align with plastic-free skincare and support waste minimization.

❓ Why does plastic-free beauty matter?

Because microplastics in cosmetics don’t just disappear. They flow into rivers, oceans, and ecosystems—accumulating over time and impacting wildlife, water quality, and even human health. Choosing sustainable cosmetics is about more than just what’s trendy. It’s about responsibility and respect.

If this post helped you look at your beauty routine through a new lens, let it be the start of something deeper.
Choosing sustainable practices isn’t just about packaging—it’s about the ingredients we welcome into our formulas and onto our skin.

Whether you’re navigating the grey area between natural origin and synthetic polymers, or you’re just starting to explore what a natural polymer even is—I’m here to help you make sense of it all.

✨ If you’re ready to take your next step into mindful, plastic-free skincare, I invite you to stay connected—through the blog, the newsletter, or simply by following along.

✨ Curious about how to build your own routine rooted in nature, simplicity, and sustainability? Start here → Sustainable Beauty Practices.

Thank you for being here, and for choosing a version of beauty that nourishes more than just skin.

With warmth and awareness,
Kristina 🌱