Kiera Jefferson
The cosmetics industry has been identified as a leading contributor to water pollution. From glitter and microplastics to harmful chemicals, the industry is facing increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact. With limited government oversight, the onus is on consumers to be well-informed about the products they use and their potential effects on the natural world. This is especially important given that many cosmetic chemicals do not simply wash away; they can persist in the environment and have been found in drinking water and tissues of plants and animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microplastics | Glitter, microbeads, polyethylene, silicone/siloxanes, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), liquid and solid microplastics |
| Other plastics | Microscopic glitter particles, plastic packaging, plastic waste, plastic bottles |
| Preservatives | Parabens, triclosan, formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, methylparaben, MI/MCI |
| Other chemicals | UV filters, oxybenzone, benzophenone-1, benzophenone-8, 4-methyl benzylidene camphor, 3-benzylidene camphor, nanostructural zinc oxide, octinoxate, octocrylene, diethanolamine (DEA), cocamide DEA, PEGs, petrolatum, ethylene oxide, dioxane, polycyclic aromatic compounds, heavy metals |
| Impact | Water pollution, soil pollution, air pollution, harm to wildlife, harm to humans |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics in beauty products
The beauty industry is a leading contributor to water pollution. From glitter and other microplastics to full-sized shampoo bottles, many beauty products make their way from our bathrooms into the ocean.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, smaller than 5mm in size. They are added to various cosmetics, beauty, and personal care products, including shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, toothpaste, makeup, and hand sanitizers. All kinds of care and cosmetic products can contain these plastic ingredients. They are used for different purposes, such as film formation or viscosity regulation. The cosmetics industry also uses microplastic ingredients to fill up products at a low cost.
Microplastics are often hardly visible to the naked eye, but they flow straight from the bathroom drain into the sewer system. Wastewater treatment plants are not always designed to filter them out, and this is how microplastics contribute to the ‘Plastic Soup’ in our oceans. The microplastics caught in the sludge produced by the wastewater treatment plants are also often applied as fertilizers to agricultural fields, thus polluting our soils.
To avoid contributing to this issue, consumers can use apps such as Beat the Microbead to scan product ingredients and check if they contain microplastics. Consumers can also support brands that are changing the game by putting sustainable practices at the forefront, such as those certified by the Soil Association.
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Harmful compounds in cosmetics
The cosmetics sector has a significant impact on water resources. The transformation of raw materials into cosmetic ingredients consumes water, and the industry is a leading contributor to water pollution. Many harmful compounds and chemicals in cosmetics end up in our soil, rivers, oceans, and even drinking water, affecting natural habitats and wildlife.
One of the most common causes of beauty industry pollution is plastic packaging. Polyethylene, the most frequently used skincare packaging material, is responsible for most microplastic contamination in water, soil, and air. Microplastics are of growing concern as they are washed down the drain daily in the form of facial scrubs and other exfoliating products. Due to their tiny size, they escape sewage treatment plants and enter our oceans, where they become permanent fixtures in ocean sediment and surface water.
Additionally, certain chemicals in cosmetics can have harmful effects on the environment and human health. UV filters, parabens, and triclosan, for example, have been found in waterways and their inhabitants, leading to negative consequences such as changes in the reproductive system and thyroid function impairment. Other chemicals like formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.
Furthermore, fragrances and preservatives are common ingredients in cosmetics, with potential health risks. Preservatives like methylparaben and phenoxyethanol have been identified in many products, while fragrances such as limonene and linalool are also prevalent.
The impact of the cosmetics industry on water pollution extends beyond the products themselves. The petrochemical industries, which supply cosmetic ingredients, can be a source of soil pollution that reaches lakes and rivers. Intensive agriculture, which provides raw materials, can also compromise aquifer resources. As a result, it is essential to consider the broader environmental implications of the cosmetics industry and work towards reducing its impact on water resources.
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Lack of government oversight
The beauty industry is a leading contributor to water pollution. From glitter and other microplastics to full-sized shampoo bottles, many products from our medicine cabinets end up in the ocean. The creation of cosmetic and self-care products utilizes a vast array of troubling chemicals.
The cosmetics industry has grown dramatically since 1938, when Congress last enacted cosmetics legislation, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In 2016, the industry reported more than $169 billion in sales. Despite this growth, only two pages of the 829-page act govern cosmetics, and those provisions provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with no financial resources and sharply limit its authority to regulate chemicals and contaminants that pose chronic risks.
Under current law, the FDA has little authority to review chemicals in cosmetics and other personal care products. Personal care products companies do not have to register with the FDA, provide the FDA with ingredient statements, adopt Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), report adverse events to the FDA, or provide the FDA with access to safety records. The FDA does not have the power to suspend registration or order recalls when products pose a serious risk to health or even death. By contrast, manufacturers of food, drugs, and medical devices must register with the FDA, maintain and give the FDA access to records, and report adverse events.
Of more than 10,000 chemicals used to formulate cosmetics, just 11 have ever been banned or restricted by the FDA. While the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have broad authority to ensure the safety of chemicals in other consumer products, no category of consumer products is subject to less government oversight than cosmetics and other personal care products.
Despite the enactment of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) in 2022, some experts say that it does not go far enough. Critics of the new law say that it is rife with loopholes that could be exploited by the makers of cosmetics, potentially endangering those who use personal care items. Federal officials are still prevented from taking such actions as requiring independent testing of beauty products before they are sold, prohibiting the use of "forever chemicals" in cosmetics, and deterring manufacturers from using such labeling or marketing slogans as "clean," "safe," or "nontoxic."
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Toxic chemicals in cosmetics
The cosmetics sector has a significant impact on water resources. The transformation of raw materials into cosmetic ingredients consumes water, and the industry's by-products can contaminate water sources. While eco-friendly and organic cosmetics are gaining popularity, the market remains rife with harmful compounds.
Cosmetics contain a wide range of chemicals, and consumers are exposed to these daily. Many of these chemicals are harmless, but some have been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm. Since 2009, 595 cosmetics manufacturers have reported using 88 toxic chemicals in more than 73,000 products.
Some of the most common toxic chemicals found in cosmetics include formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and its derivative paraformaldehyde. Other toxic chemicals include isobutylparaben and isopropylparaben, which were found in 96 and 12 products, respectively, in a 2018 analysis. Cocamide DEA, a skin irritant and potential carcinogen, is another harmful chemical found in cosmetics.
Microplastics are also a significant concern in the beauty industry. These tiny pieces of plastic, often derived from product packaging, are measurable in drinking water and tissues of plants and animals. They can cause adverse effects on microorganisms, algae, plants, fungi, and animals, including humans. Microbeads, found in facial scrubs and other exfoliating products, are another type of microplastic that escapes sewage treatment plants and ends up in the ocean.
Other toxic chemicals found in cosmetics include UV filters, parabens, and triclosan. These chemicals have been found in waterways and can have harmful effects on aquatic life, such as changes in the reproductive system of male animals and impairment of thyroid function.
The impact of the cosmetics industry on water pollution is a growing concern, and consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the presence of harmful chemicals in beauty products. It is essential to address this issue through regulation, sustainable practices, and consumer education to reduce the environmental and health impacts of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.
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Water consumption in cosmetics
Water is the most common commodity used in the beauty and personal care industry. It is the main ingredient in most cosmetic products, and its quality is important for the formulation and role in skin physiology. The list of ingredients in a cosmetic usually begins with the term "Aqua/Water", and it is listed first because it is the most abundant ingredient. A cream may contain 60 to 80% water, while lotions, shower gels, or shampoos can contain up to 95%.
The use of water in the cosmetics industry has an impact on sustainability. Water is often the heaviest ingredient in cosmetic formulations, which significantly impacts shipping costs and fuel usage. The use of anhydrous (water-free) formulas can reduce these costs and make products more sustainable. In addition, water-free products require fewer preservatives, which can be appealing to consumers.
The manufacturing processes for cosmetics often require thousands of litres of water, referred to as 'virtual water'. This water is used to clean, refresh and process products. The use of water in manufacturing can also lead to contamination issues, as purified water is fragile and can become contaminated by resident germs. As water becomes a scarcer resource, consumers are increasingly concerned about water usage in the cosmetics industry and are demanding more sustainable practices.
To address these concerns, brands can develop products that reduce or eliminate manufacturing water consumption, the water dosage in the formula, or the water necessary to use the product. For example, anhydrous formulas such as oil-based products, powders, balms, and cleansing bars can be used instead of water-based formulas. Two-in-one products can also reduce water consumption by limiting the number of products and steps in a beauty routine. Consumers can also play a role by choosing water-conscious products and being mindful of their water usage when using cosmetics.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 10,000 chemicals used in cosmetics, and only 11 have been banned or restricted by the FDA. Some of the most common chemicals that pollute water include microplastics, UV filters, parabens, triclosan, formaldehyde, and fragrances.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic smaller than 5mm. They are found in cosmetics as abrasive granules in peelings and scrubs, as well as in plastic packaging. Due to their small size, they escape sewage treatment plants and end up in the ocean, where they do not biodegrade and can cause harm to marine life.
UV filters are chemicals that absorb or reflect ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. When these chemicals are rinsed off the skin, they can enter the water and become serious aquatic pollutants, negatively impacting coral reefs, fish, and other vulnerable species.
Parabens are a class of preservatives used for their antimicrobial properties in cosmetics and other products. While most parabens are filtered out of the water supply, they have still been found in surface waters and can have harmful effects on the reproductive system.
Fragrances are present in over 50% of cosmetic products and can contain potentially harmful substances. Some common fragrance chemicals include limonene, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, coumarin, and hexyl cinnamal, which can have adverse health effects when washed down the drain and released into the environment.
