Micro-plastics are exactly as their name describes: tiny bits of synthetic polymers or plastics and – by definition – are smaller than 5mm. If you’re wondering where you might find micro-plastics, you don’t need to look very far. In the cosmetic industry, these small fragments go by many aliases, popping up in anything from exfoliators to shower gels and even foundations.

While no one wants to be rubbing plastic on their body, the most alarming thing is that these plastics wash off into our water channels, eventually entering the greater ocean. You might have heard some horror stories about the garbage island floating around in the Pacific Ocean. And due to their micro size, they have a high probability of being directly ingested by aquatic animal life, contaminating the food we eat.

The topic is truly depressing. So to continue in our mission at Amazingy to share knowledge & inspire awareness, we sat down with Franziska Grammes, a manager at Codecheck and an expert on micro-plastics. Codecheck is an app that allows you to track products by taking a picture of their bar code, checking the ingredients and rating the possible side effects they might have on your health and the environment.

Let’s meet Franziska and talk about how we can help clean up this plastic mess…

Amazingy: Why is there no German law in place that prohibits the use of micro-plastics in cosmetics, such as the legislation that recently passed in the U.S.?

Franziska: “Unless a European law is passed on this issue, Germany will count on manufacturers to keep their promise and eliminate micro-plastics themselves. A lot of companies decided to stop using micro-plastics in 2014. This date was pushed back to 2020, though. We need a binding declaration and a set definition. If you ask me, only a law will help in this case.”

Amazingy: But various companies have failed to keep that promise and have yet to eliminate micro-plastics from their products. Why didn’t they follow through with it? Do you think it was all just a big marketing stunt?

Franziska: “Well, a lot of companies partially fulfill their promise. Polyethylene has been disappearing from many exfoliators recently. Unfortunately though, they are being replaced with other micro-plastics, such as acrylic copopolymer (AC), acrylates/ C10-30 alkyl crosspolymer (ACS). These substances are simply not defined as micro-plastics by the industry. Environmental organizations like the BUND and Greenpeace have been fighting against methods like this. What we need is a unified definition of micro-plastics and a comprehensive ban on them. If we don’t reach this point, the industry will find any imaginable loophole to include micro-plastics in our body lotions, shower gels and makeup. I’m glad that consumers today have the opportunity to be active and choose other products. We no longer have to wait on politics and industries to make a change.”

Amazingy: Indeed. The BUND has called for a boycott on all products that contain micro-plastics. But is this the only way? And if so, what is the best way to help speed up the process?

Franziska: “It all comes down to this question: do you want micro-plastics in your cosmetics? Luckily, there are a lot of products on the market that don’t use any micro-plastics, since it doesn’t really have a purpose and is mostly used as a cheap filler. ‘Codecheck’ is a free app that lets you scan any product and immediately tells you if it contains any form of plastic. It will also show you better alternatives – should a product contain harmful ingredients. Skipping micro-plastics in your cosmetics is the first step towards a healthier, more eco-conscious lifestyle. Every plastic bag, packaging and polyester sweater is part of the huge plastic problem our world and oceans face today. We need to consume more consciously and selectively.”

Amazingy: Do you think the industry could make the same switch as they did when they introduced deodorants free of aluminum?

Franziska: “Absolutely! Micro-plastics can be easily replaced with natural components like sand, salt, corn, crushed seeds or cellulose. A lot of green labels have done so for years – but it’s simply a question of money.”

Amazingy: Which plastic free products can you recommend? Which of your favorites can we find in your bathroom?

Franziska: “The Codecheck app always offers a great variety of alternative products to try out. As a cleanser, I use the 2-in-1 Reinigungsmilch by Weleda, and follow up with a facial massage using my Konjac sponge. I swear by the Aloe Vera Creme Medium moisturizer by Santaverde and I also enjoy their Aloe Vera eye cream. Once a week, I use Pai Skincare’s Echium & Amaranth Age Confidence Oil. It instantly gives my pale winter skin a beautiful glow and hydrates it deeply. When it comes to mascara, it wasn’t easy finding a plastic-free alternative. I ended up loving the WINT Mascara by und Gretel – it lasts all day, doesn’t bleed and defines my lashes beautifully. To cover up any dark circles and blemishes I use “Un” Cover-Up by rms Beauty. It’s an organic, raw concealer that you could even eat if you wanted to. For a fresh flush, I use HIRO’s Mineral Rouge in the shade Sweetie Darling. Fine deodorant also has amazing ingredients and smells incredible, so I can easily skip applying perfume. Another plastic-free product that makes my hair smell divine is John Master’s Lavender Rosemary Shampoo.”

The bottom line on plastics

A general ban on micro-plastics in cosmetics might be the first step we need to take towards protecting our environment. But we need to think about the whole issue of using so much plastic on a daily basis in general. Although quite a few shops and supermarkets have stopped offering free plastic bags since 2016, we are moving way too slowly towards a plastic-free world. If we raised the price for a plastic bag from 10 cents to 2 Euros, a lot of people would probably make the switch and start using their reusable bags more frequently. Our whole society needs to realize that we can cut the amount of garbage we produce in half by simply making small changes.

If you would like to learn more about the effects of plastic waste in our oceans, I highly recommend watching the films Plastic Planet and Addicted to Plastic.

Do you already try to avoid plastics or micro-plastics in cosmetics? Share your stories in the comment section below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2017 and was updated in July 2018 for accuracy.