They are part of the long list of controversial cosmetic ingredients… Polymers, microbeads, and, by extension, all microplastics are in danger of being banned, or severely restricted, in cosmetic products. And it is not the risk they would pose to health (as covered by the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009) that puts them at risk, but their potential to harm the environment (notably under the REACH Regulation) when they are released into the wastewater circuit, and ultimately into natural aquatic environments. Which ones are concerned? Within what timeframe?
The authors
A graduate of the School of Journalism in Lille, Laurence Wittner is a freelance journalist specializing in the field of cosmetics. Co-founder of Monitor Cosmetics, she is the editor-in-chief of its supports.
A graduate of the European Institute of Journalism, Jasmine Salmi is a journalist specializing in the field of cosmetics. She joined the editorial team of CosmeticOBS-L’Observatoire des Cosmétiques in 2016. Her core areas of expertise are trends, eco-responsibility and the analysis of the beauty market.
Databook 2024 “Microplastics in cosmetics”, english version, L’Observatoire des Cosmétiques’ edition (March 2024), 130 pages (ISBN : 979-10-92544-63-3), PDF format.
