What role do microplastics play in skin care products?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles measuring less than 1 mm. Some types of cosmetics use microplastics because as plastic microbeads, they are good for scrubbing – for example, in toothpaste as well as facial and body scrubs.

Unfortunately plastic particles often end up polluting the aquatic environment because they are too small to get caught in wastewater treatment plants, resulting in a negative impact on the surroundings, wildlife and the environment at large.

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel does not allow microplastics, so you won’t find them in any Derma products.

Looking at a product’s list of ingredients, it can be difficult to see if it contains microplastics or not. For example, you might see Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) or Polyethylene (PE), but both compounds can be included in the product in both solid form (as microplastics) and liquid form (as a stabiliser).

To avoid microplastics in your skin care products, you need to inquire directly at the manufacturer or choose products that carry the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.