Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Finally, an ingredient condemnation I can live with!

  • Finally, an ingredient condemnation I can live with!

    Posted by chemicalmatt on March 6, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    I read today the NY Attorney General is considering a ban on all plastic (mostly PET) micro-beads used in cosmetic scrubs.  I say good for him.  This was a bad idea from the supply chain to begin with, their only selling point being SUPER-CHEAP abrasive beads.  These PET beads do not readily decompose, nor do they biodegrade, and they have been found inside fish guts. Now if only the Chinese can follow suit, we’ll see some real environmental progress on this issue. ‘Nuff said! Rant over. Now….can I please have my parabens and cocamide DEA back?  

    Anonymous replied 9 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • mikebavington

    Member
    March 6, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Wouldnt silica be a safer alternative to plastic beads?

  • OldPerry

    Member
    March 7, 2014 at 8:31 am

    I’ve always found the beads to be total gimmicks anyway.  There is no evidence that they made products work better, at least no evidence I’ve seen.  I agree!  Keep the beads out of the blowfish.

  • chemicalmatt

    Member
    March 7, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    Mike, not only silica, but good ‘ol pumice - the original exfoliant, if you will - is cheap and safe for the environment.  The stuff comes out of volcanoes.  The nut-shell flour abraders for scrubs are fine, but have always been inexcusably expensive too. No supplier has ever been able to convince me why scrub flours made from almond shells, apricot shells, walnut shells  - all of which are food by-products unsuitable for consumption - need to cost so much just because the supplier milled them through a Fitzmill, then irradiated them, when their starting material was obviously cheap to begin with.  In the past, I’ve been tempted to buy a cheap, used Fitzmill and make the stuff myself!

  • Anonymous

    Guest
    September 4, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    What about jojoba beads or ground dried beans and rice instead?

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