Microplastics in Makeup and Skincare: Ingredients to Watch For

Nora ValeConsumer Products & Home Editor

May 25, 2026

13 min read

Microplastics in makeup and skincare — ingredients to watch for

Last updated: May 25, 2026

Microplastics aren't just a food and water problem. They're also baked into cosmetics, skincare, scrubs, sunscreens, glitter, and personal-care products — usually under ingredient names most shoppers wouldn't recognize as plastic. The EU has restricted intentionally added microplastics in cosmetics from October 2023 onward, but the changeover is slow, varies by category, and US regulations remain looser.

Quick Answer

Quick answer: Common plastic ingredients in cosmetics include polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-6 / nylon-12, acrylates copolymer, acrylates crosspolymer, carbomer, PEG (any number), dimethicone, and polyurethane. Microbeads (solid plastic particles for exfoliation) are banned in US rinse-off products since 2015 but persist in some imports; liquid microplastic polymers and film-formers remain widely used.

Highest-risk products: rinse-off scrubs and exfoliants with microbeads, glitter cosmetics, “long-wear” foundations and lipsticks (heavy acrylates), liquid eyeliners and mascaras (film-formers), shimmer powders, body washes with PE microbeads.

Best first swap: install the Beat the Microbead app or scan ingredients with our app to filter your current routine. Then prioritize replacing the products with the biggest weekly contact area — face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation.

Plastic ingredient names in cosmetics — the ones to actually look for
INCI name	Type	Common in
Polyethylene (PE)	Solid plastic microbeads	Old exfoliants, scrubs (banned US 2015 in rinse-off)
Polypropylene (PP)	Solid plastic particles	Mascaras, eyeshadow primers
Nylon-6 / Nylon-12	Synthetic polymer particles	Loose powders, “blurring” primers, dry shampoos
Acrylates copolymer	Liquid microplastic / film former	Long-wear foundations, mascaras, sunscreens
Acrylates crosspolymer	Cross-linked acrylate polymer	Gel cleansers, lotions
Carbomer / Carbopol	Cross-linked polyacrylic acid	Gel cleansers, serums, hand sanitizers
PEG (numbered, e.g., PEG-40)	Petroleum-derived polymer	Most lotions, shampoos, conditioners
Dimethicone	Silicone polymer (silicone is a polymer, not strictly “microplastic”)	Most moisturizers, primers, foundations
Polyurethane	Synthetic polymer	Long-wear products, nail products
PETA (polyethylene terephthalate alginate) glitter	PET particles	Body glitter, highlighters, eyeshadow
Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer	Acrylate-based polymer particles	Mattifying primers, foundations
Polyquaternium (numbered)	Cationic polymer	Hair products, conditioners

Key Takeaways

EU banned intentionally added microplastics in cosmetics starting October 2023, with category-specific rolling deadlines through 2035.
The US 2015 Microbead-Free Waters Act banned PE/PP microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics, but liquid polymers and leave-on microplastics remain unrestricted.
The Beat the Microbead app and EWG Skin Deep are the easiest free tools for ingredient screening.
Leave-on products (foundations, sunscreens, moisturizers) deliver longer skin contact than rinse-off products.
“Clean beauty” brands vary widely — verify ingredients rather than trusting the marketing label.
Polymer ingredients in cosmetics are primarily an environmental concern (rinse into wastewater) plus skin absorption of additives — the particle itself usually doesn't cross intact skin.

Why cosmetics use microplastics in the first place

Plastic ingredients do useful things in cosmetic formulations:

Exfoliation — solid microbeads gently scrub skin (replaced by jojoba beads, salt, sugar, rice powder in clean brands).
Film-forming — acrylates create a smooth, long-wearing finish on foundation and mascara.
Thickening / gel structure — carbomer turns watery serums into pleasant gel texture.
Slip and silkiness — dimethicone (silicone) gives the smooth feel of most modern moisturizers.
Glitter and shimmer — PET-based glitter is brighter, lighter, and more reflective than mineral alternatives.
Color suspension — keeps pigments evenly distributed.

Functionally they work. The trade-off: they wash down the drain into wastewater systems (where treatment plants can't catch sub-mm particles), end up in waterways and oceans, and the chemical additives (phthalates as plasticisers, parabens as preservatives) absorb through skin.

Rinse-off vs leave-on — different exposure profiles

Cosmetic categories — relative microplastic exposure
Category	Rinse vs leave-on	Microplastic exposure	Replacement priority
Face wash / body wash with microbeads	Rinse-off	Environmental (water systems); low skin contact	High — easy swap to bead-free or natural exfoliant
Foundation / BB / CC cream	Leave-on (long-wear)	All-day skin contact with film-formers + additives	High — daily face exposure
Sunscreen	Leave-on; full body in summer	Large surface area; chemical absorption of additives	High — switch to mineral (zinc / titanium)
Moisturizer / lotion	Leave-on; daily	Daily face + body contact; PEG + silicone common	High — easy swap
Liquid eyeliner / mascara	Leave-on	Small area but daily use; acrylates film	Medium
Lipstick / lip balm	Leave-on + ingested	Direct ingestion; ~24 mg/day estimated average	High — easy swap to clean brands
Loose powders / dry shampoos	Leave-on / inhaled	Nylon-12 + talc + silica inhaled near face	Medium — switch to silica-only or skip dry shampoo
Glitter cosmetics	Leave-on / shed everywhere	PET particles into environment + skin	Medium — switch to biodegradable cellulose glitter
Nail polish	Leave-on	Acetate polymers + plasticisers	Medium — “10-free” brands available
Hair gel / pomade	Leave-on for the day, then rinse	Polyquaternium + acrylates	Medium

What the regulations actually say

US Microbead-Free Waters Act (2015) — banned plastic microbeads (intentionally added solid plastic particles ≤5mm) in rinse-off cosmetics. Took full effect 2018-2019. Does NOT cover leave-on products or liquid polymers.
EU ECHA microplastic restriction (Oct 2023) — broadest cosmetics microplastic restriction to date. Phases out intentionally added microplastics in cosmetics on a rolling schedule by category: rinse-off cosmetics (Oct 2027), leave-on (Oct 2029), make-up (Oct 2035), nail products (Oct 2035).
UK — followed US 2018 microbead ban in rinse-off; less restrictive on leave-on.
Canada — banned plastic microbeads in rinse-off (2018).

Practical implication: the products on US shelves today still commonly contain liquid polymers (acrylates, carbomer, PEG) and leave-on microplastics. The label-reading habit and a scanner are still useful even after the major regulatory changes.

Clean brand picks (verify current formulas)

Clean makeup & skincare brands for 2026
Category	Brands	Certifications
Skincare (face)	Pai Skincare, True Botanicals, Marie Veronique, One Love Organics, Dr. Hauschka	EWG VERIFIED / MADE SAFE / certified organic
Sunscreen	Badger, Thinkbaby, Beautycounter Countersun, ATTITUDE	EWG VERIFIED; mineral active (zinc / titanium)
Foundation	Ilia, RMS Beauty, Kjaer Weis, Jane Iredale, Beautycounter	MADE SAFE / EWG VERIFIED
Mascara	Ilia, Hynt Beauty, RMS Beauty, 100% Pure	EWG VERIFIED options
Lipstick / lip balm	Hynt, Ilia, RMS, Hurraw, Burt's Bees Beeswax	Many natural / MADE SAFE
Body wash / lotion	Dr. Bronner's, Alaffia, Acure, Plaine Products, Ethique	USDA Organic / EWG VERIFIED
Deodorant	Native (some), Schmidt's, Each & Every, Tom's Naturals	EWG VERIFIED options
Shampoo / conditioner	Innersense, Acure, Plaine Products refillable	EWG VERIFIED / certified organic
Glitter (biodegradable)	EcoStardust, Bioglitter Pure	TÜV OK Biodegradable Water

How to audit your current routine in 10 minutes

Open your bathroom cabinet. Pick the 5 products you use daily — moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, body wash, deodorant.
Read the back labels. Look for: polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-6/12, acrylates copolymer, acrylates crosspolymer, carbomer, PEG, dimethicone, polyurethane, methyl methacrylate.
Cross-check against the Beat the Microbead database or EWG Skin Deep — both free.
Identify your 2-3 worst offenders. Replace those first when they run out.
Don't throw out what you already own. Use it up; switch on next purchase.

What the MicroPlastics app checks

Cosmetic ingredient list parsed from the barcode / label.
Flagged ingredients — known microplastic polymers, microbeads, and additives of concern (phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone).
Product category — leave-on vs rinse-off; risk weighting differs.
Brand and product line — clean certifications (EWG VERIFIED, MADE SAFE, USDA Organic).
Cited published research and regulatory database references for each scan.
Safer alternative suggestions — usually a comparable product from a clean brand.

Use the App

Scan personal-care products before buying

Bathroom audit in 10 minutes. The MicroPlastics app reads the cosmetic ingredient list, flags microplastic polymers + additives, and points to cleaner alternatives in the same category.

Scan cosmetics in the app

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my cosmetics contain microplastics?

Read the ingredient list (INCI). Common plastic ingredient names include: polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-6, nylon-12, acrylates copolymer, acrylates crosspolymer, carbomer, PEG (any number), dimethicone, polyurethane, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, and PET (often in glitter). The Beat the Microbead app and EWG Skin Deep database are free tools that screen ingredient lists for you.

Are microbeads still legal in the US?

Solid plastic microbeads (PE/PP particles intentionally added for exfoliation) have been banned in rinse-off cosmetics in the US since 2018 under the 2015 Microbead-Free Waters Act. They are still legal in leave-on cosmetics. Other forms of microplastic (acrylates, carbomer, PEG, silicones) are not covered by this law.

What about the EU microplastic ban?

The EU ECHA restriction (October 2023) is broader — it phases out all intentionally added microplastics in cosmetics on a rolling schedule by category. Rinse-off cosmetics: by October 2027. Leave-on cosmetics: October 2029. Make-up products: October 2035. Nail products: October 2035. Products sold today may still legally contain microplastics until the deadlines hit.

Do microplastics absorb through skin?

Particles larger than a few hundred nanometers generally don't cross intact skin. However, the chemical additives carried in cosmetic formulations (phthalates as plasticisers, parabens as preservatives, oxybenzone in chemical sunscreens) absorb through skin into bloodstream — the 2020 JAMA study found chemical sunscreen ingredients above safety thresholds after a single application. See our dedicated guide on microplastics and skin absorption.

Is dimethicone (silicone) a microplastic?

Silicone is technically a polymer but is distinct from carbon-based microplastics. It is widely used in cosmetics for its silky feel and is generally considered more inert than acrylates or PEG. The environmental concern is similar (doesn't biodegrade), but the skin-contact concern is lower. Many clean beauty brands avoid silicones for environmental reasons; others include them as safer alternatives to acrylates.

What are the safest cosmetic brands?

For skincare: Pai Skincare, True Botanicals, Marie Veronique, One Love Organics, Dr. Hauschka, Beautycounter. For makeup: Ilia, RMS Beauty, Kjaer Weis, Jane Iredale, Hynt Beauty. For sunscreen: Badger, Thinkbaby, Beautycounter Countersun. Look for EWG VERIFIED or MADE SAFE certification on the product page.

What's the worst category for microplastics in cosmetics?

Tied between rinse-off exfoliating scrubs with microbeads (environmental impact) and leave-on long-wear products with heavy acrylates (foundations, mascaras, sunscreens — daily skin contact for many hours). Both should be priority replacement targets. Glitter cosmetics with PET particles are a third high-priority category.

Should I throw out my current cosmetics?

No — use up what you have, then switch on next purchase. Tossing unopened products is wasteful and isn't a meaningful exposure reduction since you weren't using them anyway. Focus your replacement budget on the 3-5 products you use most (moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, body wash) and let the others run out naturally.

Sources

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (2023). Microplastics — Restriction on intentionally added microplastics. ECHA.
US FDA / Microbead-Free Waters Act (2015). The Microbead-Free Waters Act FAQs. US FDA.
Beat the Microbead / Plastic Soup Foundation (2024). Plastics in Personal Care Products — searchable database. Plastic Soup Foundation.
Environmental Working Group (2024). EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. EWG.
Matta MK, Florian J, Zusterzeel R, et al. (2020). Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients. JAMA.

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