Skip to main content
Back to ingredient checker

Ingredient deep-dive

Polyethylene/Polypropylene Copolymer: Is It a Microplastic?

High concernMicroplastic polymer

Blend of the two most common commodity plastics, used as a wax-like texturiser. Both parent polymers are named targets of the EU microbead restriction.

Where it appears

  • Stick products
  • Thickened balms
  • Exfoliant particles
  • Texture modifiers

Regulatory status (2026)

European Union

Within the EU microplastics restriction where present as particles.

United States

No federal restriction.

Cleaner alternatives

  • Carnauba wax
  • Candelilla wax
  • Rice bran wax

Use the app

Scan any product for Polyethylene/Polypropylene Copolymer 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 Store

Polyethylene/Polypropylene Copolymer, common questions

Is Polyethylene/Polypropylene Copolymer a microplastic?

Yes. Blend of the two most common commodity plastics, used as a wax-like texturiser. Both parent polymers are named targets of the EU microbead restriction.

Is Polyethylene/Polypropylene Copolymer banned?

EU: Within the EU microplastics restriction where present as particles. US: No federal restriction.

What can I use instead of Polyethylene/Polypropylene Copolymer?

Cleaner alternatives include: Carnauba wax; Candelilla wax; Rice bran wax.

What products contain Polyethylene/Polypropylene Copolymer?

Commonly found in: Stick products; Thickened balms; Exfoliant particles; Texture modifiers.

Related ingredients

Polyethylene

Microplastic polymer · High concern

Solid plastic polymer. The EU restricted intentionally added microplastics in rinse-off cosmetics from October 2023, including polyethylene microbeads.

Read more

Polypropylene

Microplastic polymer · High concern

Solid plastic polymer, often used in scrubs, mascara fibers, and exfoliants.

Read more

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Microplastic polymer · High concern

The same plastic used in bottles, here as glitter or shimmer in cosmetics.

Read more

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

Microplastic polymer · High concern

Solid acrylic plastic used as a microbead filler. Banned in EU rinse-off products since 2023.

Read more