Campaigners call for microbeads ban to be extended to make-up

The proposed ban on microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics should be extended to microplastics in make-up according to environmental groups.

The issue arose after a survey found polyethylene (which is used to make microbeads), PTFE, nylon 6, nylon 12 and polymethyl methacrylate, listed among the ingredients in makeup products such as eye shadows, lipsticks and mascaras. The ingredients are commonly used to add bulk and texture or act as binding agent.

Dilyana Mihaylova, spokesman for campaign group Fauna & Flora International, said: “Limiting the scope of a ban to rinse-off cosmetics and personal care products will not effectively protect our seas from other products that contain microplastics and are often washed down the drain.”

However, others in the industry believe the materials are totally different from microbeads and should be allowed in products.

The Cosmetics, Toiletry & Perfumery Association, which speaks for manufacturers, said: “Leave-on cosmetic products do not contain solid plastic microbeads. They may use polymers to ensure easy spreading.”