What are typical products with microplastics? From Microplastics probably everyone has heard of it by now. Yet it remains difficult to recognize it in products at first glance, because microplastics have many names. Remembering them all - unless you happen to have a photographic memory - is next to impossible:
Polyethylene (PE) | Polypropylene (PP) | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Nylon-12 -| Nylon-6 | Polyurethane (PUR) | Acrylates copolymer (AC) | Acrylate crosspolymer (ACS) | Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) | Polyacrylate (PA) | Polystyrene (PS) | Polyquaternium (P)
All right?!? Not? Then here comes a small overview that tells you typical products with microplastics, should help you to know where the small plastic particles are hidden everywhere and shows you how you can avoid them.
10 products with microplastic
#1 Microplastics in scrubs
The small beads that make up a typical peeling are still often made of microplastics and that in brands from Isana to Shiseido - so a high price is definitely not a clue for products without plastic! Even many products from supposedly "healthy" brands like The Body Shop, Vichy, Aok, Avène or Yves Rocher still contain the little plastic beads.
The alternative:
You can make a natural peeling without microplastics wonderfully yourself. Sugar or coffee, for example, are suitable as exfoliating grains.
#2 Microplastics in body lotion
To rub microplastic on the skin and then wash it off is already bad, even worse I find the idea of microplastic on the skin to leave. Skin CARE should definitely look different!
I find it really appalling that popular skincare brands like Dove, La Roche Posay, Neutrogena or Nivea still sell body lotion with microplastics as great skincare products.
The alternative
You can find microplastic-free body lotion at natural cosmetics brands such as Weleda, Lavera and Alterra. Or alternatively, try aloe vera gel. This consists of cold-pressed aloe vera and provides the skin with plenty of moisture. Here you can get the 100% natural Aloe Vera Gel*.
#3 Microplastics in hand soap
Even when buying liquid hand soap - whether from Palmolive, Balea or Handsan - you are not safe from microplastics!
The alternative:
How about a good old bar of soap? So you save even the plastic dispenser. I can give you for example this Organic soap without plastic* recommend.
#4 Microplastic in shower gel
You guessed it: shower gel with microplastics is definitely not a rarity. From Balea, to Dove and Kneipp to Rituals - there are countless products!
I recently bought a vegan shower gel from Original Source in a hurry and unfortunately didn't check the ingredients because it looked so trustworthy. A big mistake! This shower gel is definitely not as natural as it would have you believe because it contains polyquaternium. Those with a photographic memory will now remember the list above and know: This is microplastic. 🙁
The alternative without microplastics
Shower gel without microplastics you can find again at the natural cosmetics brands. I currently like the shower gel from alverde with organic pomegranate and organic ginger totally. Of course, it's even better if you do without plastic at all when showering and use solid laundry soap. Solid washing soap without plastic from olive oil and laurel oil you get here*.
#5 Microplastics in hair care
Whether shampoo, conditioner, hair gel or hair spray - hair care articles are also among the typical products containing microplastics. Shampoo and conditioner are more frequently affected. There are, for example, some items from Dove, Balea, Nivea and even LUSH that contain microplastics.
The styling gel super glue from got2be and the high-carat volume & shine hairspray from the same brand also contain plastic.
The alternative:
Besides using shampoos without microplastics, No Poo is an interesting alternative.
With No Poo, conventional shampoo is completely dispensed with and the hair is washed instead with natural substances such as rye flour or lava earth. Lava earth is available either as a powder or directly as a ready-made wash gel. Plastic free lava clay for your hair care you get here*.
#6 Microplastics in facial care
Face creams with microplastics are plentiful. From inexpensive brands (Balea, Nivea), to brands that are particularly defined by their care effect (Neutrogena, Kneipp, Eucerin), to high-priced brands (Shiseido) - plastic in face creams and masks can be found in all price ranges.
The alternative:
When it comes to products that you regularly put on your face, you should pay particular attention to the ingredients. The best alternative here is also a look at the natural cosmetics shelf.
In the summer I also like to use the aloe vera gel for the face - it's nice and refreshing!
#7 Microplastics in baby and children's products
You think baby and children's care products are much more strictly controlled and there are certainly no microplastics? Far from it!
Microplastics in baby products can be found, for example, in Penaten baby shampoos and various Penaten baby baths and shower creams as well as in the HIPP Kompi product Babysanft Shampoo & Shower.
The agenative without microplastics:
Fortunately, on the other hand, there is a large selection of great children's and baby care products without microplastics. Inexpensive options include the 2in1 Shower & Shampoo from SauBär (dm) or ISANA KIDS (Rossmann). Many natural cosmetics brands also have special children's care lines. Here you get a healthy and environmentally friendly shampoo for children*.
#8 Microplastics in sunscreen
Louis Widmer, La Roche Posay, SunDance, Ladival - they all belong to the brands that sell sunscreen with microplastics. And unfortunately, there are also enough children's sun creams with microplastics: For example, Bübchen Sensitiv SPF 30 sun milk, HIPP Babysanft sun roller and Sundance Kids sun milk.
The alternative:
It is best to use a mineral sunscreen instead of a chemical one. This guarantees sun protection without microplastics. You can now find mineral sunscreen in any drugstore.
#9 Microplastics in decorative cosmetics
Typical products containing microplastics are also cosmetics. Here it is often found in lipsticks, make-up, eye shadow and even mascara from brands such as Astor, Catrice, Essence, L'Oréal, Manhattan, Maybelline, p2 and many more.
The alternative:
What is the alternative for Microplastics in cosmetics? Where you used to have to go to the pharmacy or health food store in any case in search of decorative natural cosmetics, you can now find natural cosmetics without microplastics in any drugstore. The own brands Alverde (DM) and Alterra (Rossmann) have wide product ranges at acceptable prices. Other good natural cosmetics brands with a wide range of decorative cosmetics are Dr. Hauschka, Lavera and Sante.