Zero Waste Alternatives to microbeads products:
Meow Meow Tweet Body Soap Scub and SW Basics Oats Face Scrub
What are MICROBEADS? These are tiny plastic balls that are less than five millimeters in size and are used in personal care products as exfoliants – for face, body and teeth.
Why was important to banned them? Environmental researchers found that microbeads do not dissolve or wash away but remain intact. They are so tiny that most systems can't filter them out so they travel from your bathroom into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Once there, fish confused them with food, and if you are a fish eater, well, you eat them too. In the US, President Obama signed the Microbeads bill on December 28th, 2015 prohibiting the manufacture and introduction into interstate commerce of rinse-off cosmetics containing microbeads.
These beads are made of polyethylene or high density polyethylene or a combination of both, and as you may know these materials are not biodegrable. A single bottle can contain up to 300,000 microbeads.
How to know if your personal care product has microbeads? The website BEAT THE MICROBEAD has an extensive database that allows you to identify which products contain microbeads by name or brand. There is also an app available for both Iphone and Androids. In addition, they offer a listing of products that do not contain microbeads by categories, ie, face makeup, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.
Now that you know what microbeads are, and which products contain them, you can make an informed decision next time you need a face scrub.
Below is a list of exfoliants/scrubs that are safe for you and the planet. Zero Waste Alternatives mark with *
FACE
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub - Gently exfoliates your skin while french green clay and organic lemon peel remove impurities from your pores.
SW Basics Exfoliant* - USDA Certified Organic oat and almond flours that are not too rough with mineral-rich sea salt, make a simple, nourishing, super-effective exfoliant that leaves your skin soft and glowing.
PAI Skincare Kukui & Jojoba Skin Brightening Exfoliator - Jojoba Beads gently roll over skin, lifting away dead skin cells and surface impurities as they go. Enriched with exotic oils, the nourishing gel formula transforms into a silky milk, washing away to leave skin refreshed and radiant.
BODY
Meow Meow Tweet Tangerine Basil body soap* - Loaded with poppy seeds to massage and stimulate circulation in the skin while exfoliating.
Earth Tu Face Sea Salt + Organic Oils *- Detoxifying Sea Salt stimulates circulation of the lymphatic system, while dead skin cells are scrubbed away and organic oil is absorbed for moisture.
Meant The Wonder Polish - Blended with fine-grain sugar crystals, ground coffee, and deeply hydrating oils of avocado, argan, and monoi to exfoliate, firm and moisturize in one go.
MOUTH
Weleda Salt Toothpaste - Fluoride-free toothpaste with sea salt and gentle mineral cleansers to work with your body to effectively clean teeth.
Bite Toothpaste Bits * - Activated charcoal and sodium bicarbonate gently scrubs your teeth and natural mint keeps your breath fresh.
Uncle Harry’s peppermingt toothpaste * - Ingredients like colloidal silver water, sea salt, ionic minerals encourages remineralization of tooth enamel by neutralizing acids and bacteria.