To think we should all stop buying microbead scrubbers and force them to stop using

[feellikeahugefailure]

They still seem to be making them, even though there has been campaigns for years about how bad they are . They aren't affective and there are plenty of natural effective ways that do work to exfoliate.

Boots have just sent me a mail with offers including Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Oil-Free Daily Scrub - by J&J and they are still in it! :

Ingredients
Aqua, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Polyethlene, Cera Microcristallina, Steareth-21, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Extrac, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Bisabolol, Jojoba Esters, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Glucose, Butylene
Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Menthyl Lactate, BHT, Parfum
Do people still not know about all this plastic pollution?

I didn't know either and i likely use or have used them in the past.
Do you know Everything?
Pretty sure i could i could list some things that you wouldn't know the answer too

They should be banned and they are banned in some US states.
Hope more's to follow on this.

YANBU, OP - I spent ages in Boots at the weekend, trying to find products that don't contain microbeads! They should definitely be banned.

I believe they are already banned in some parts of the US.

I agree with you completely, many people have no idea and I believe we should be able to buy ordinary products over the counter and assume that they are not incredibly damaging to wildlife and the environment, without having to read up on them first.

Not all scrubs contain micro beads, there is a list of companies's products which are plastic free. I think REN, Lush & Clarins are fine

Not everybody can afford ren and clarins though, plus i can't always go to lush as it makes my head hurt

We should definitely ban them. I'm appalled that they're still allowed. :(

That's a really nice reply, much nicer than my initial comment. Point taken, OP.

Lots of cheap scrubs are fine too, btw - lots have salt or sugar as an exfoliator, and that will simply dissolve. I believe the ones with ground-up nut kernels are also not so bad.

YANBU

And btw the Wi haven't adopted it as one of their resolutions as the problem is multinational and many members (in my federation anyway) felt it would be hard to wage an effective campaign.

Op while I agree with what your saying if you want us to learn, as some of didn't know like you expected maybe do more than just say it should be banned.
I didn't know to look for hidden things ie if it contains microbeads I exp it to say micro-beads.

Under

Your link was very helpful. It taught me the ingredients to look out for and there was an app mentioned that you can use to scan products and it will tell you if it contains the various "bad" ingredients.

There are plenty of natural scrubs that are just fine - and you can get them cheaply.

I had no idea about these at all; I use oatmeal as as scrub when I feel like I need one. Works great and softens skin beautifully

Am intrigued by bran saying all her family use for washing is coconut oil. How does that work???

Not everybody can afford ren and clarins though, plus i can't always go to lush as it makes my head hurt

Good old St Ives Apricot Scrub is cheap and doesn't contain microbeads. Or there's always the aforementioned homemade scrub of some oil and sugar. Or just use a face cloth when washing your face.

Gatekeeper it's called oil cleansing and involves swapping soaps and washes for an oil instead. Massage oil into your face, removes using a hot flannel. Some people use coconut oil but I find it gave me really bad spots.

No doubt will get flamed for this, but aren't these things advertised as having plastic microbeads? If so then why would anyone buy them in the first place? Same with the 'flushable' wipes - if a wipe doesn't break down while you're using it, why do you think it will do so in the sewage pipes?

They aren't as clearly labeled, I think, you really have to scrutinise the ingredients list.

Clarins scrubs have microbes in, check the label.

Ah balls, clean & clear has done wonders for my skin. Will look for an alternative.

I think there's a petition to call for a ban, will try to locate link.

I know this is a us list but may help
www.beatthemicrobead.org/images/pdf/green-australia.pdf

Sorry I meant Australian

That was easy...

secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/s/ban-microbeads

Ah!

microbeads not microbes.

Sorry!

The microbe ban would be tricky to enforce. They're stealthy little buggers!

squoosh ahh I see. i had visions of her larding on gollops of solid coconut oil on her face and under arms

They need to be gone. They are pointless and it's really hard to buy stuff without them in - even toothpaste! Friend who is a dentist says the toothpastes are especially bad because they can get lodged in the gums and cause irritation.