There's been a lot of negative buzz about microbeads in the news lately — New York state is even thinking about outlawing them. You've seen them: They're tiny plastic spheres that are added to some exfoliating beauty products, like facial scrubs. In some products, like toothpaste, they're a bit less obvious.
The problem with microbeads is that they can be harmful for the environment. Because they're so small, waste treatment plants aren't always able to remove them from the water, so they accumulate in lakes and oceans — scientists estimate there are tens of millions in the Great Lakes. And when fish and other marine life eat the microbeads, there is concern that the chemicals in them may someday make it all the way back up the food chain to our tables.
If you're like me and can't live without a good exfoliator — but don't want to contribute to microbead pollution — here are some suggestions to help you get your scrub on without the guilt:
2. Consider natural exfoliants.
Look for products that use nut shells, salt, or sugar as their exfoliating ingredient. My personal favorite is St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($3.29, target.com).
3. Use what's in your pantry.
Don't want to spend money on new products? Try adding, salt, sugar, or baking soda to your favorite non-exfoliating face or body wash, and scrub away. Here are some more great ideas for homemade skincare.
Megan Inayoshi is a product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Research Institute beauty lab.