Ingredient deep-dive
Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA): Is It a Microplastic?
Solid acrylic plastic used as a microbead filler. Banned in EU rinse-off products since 2023.
Reading this off a container, not a label? This page covers Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) as a cosmetics ingredient. For Acrylic as the material a bottle, tub or bag is made from — what makes it shed and what to switch to — go to the material page.
Where it appears
- Filler in foundations and primers
- Lip plumpers
- Anti-aging fillers (cosmetic-grade)
Regulatory status (2026)
European Union
Restricted in rinse-off products since October 2023 under EU 2023/2055.
United States
No federal cosmetic restriction; medical-grade PMMA is FDA-cleared for specific dermal fillers.
Cleaner alternatives
- Silica microspheres
- Cellulose microspheres
- Tapioca starch as soft-focus filler
Use the app
Scan any product for Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) in 5 seconds
The MicroPlastics iOS app flags this ingredient and 24 others instantly. Paste a label into the free web ingredient checker first if you want a no-install scan.
Download on the App StorePolymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), common questions
Is Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) a microplastic?
Is Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) banned?
What can I use instead of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)?
What products contain Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)?
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