Major retailers ordered to pull skincare products with banned microbeads

Major retailers are being forced to pull skincare products with banned microbeads from their shelves.

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority has found more than a dozen products being sold at beauty stores including Mecca and Sephora contain plastic microbeads.

Microbeads were banned four years ago but a range of brands are still including them in their scrubs, exfoliators and cleansers.

NSW EPA director of compliance and investigations Claire Miles said microbeads pose a serious risk to the environment.

“Plastic microbeads might be tiny, but they can cause lasting damage once they enter our waterways,” Miles said.

“These particles are so small they often aren’t screened out by wastewater treatment systems, don’t break down and can end up absorbing pollutants and entering the food chain.

“Most businesses have done the right thing and stopped using this harmful plastic material, but four years on it’s disappointing we’re still finding stock that’s not compliant.”

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Miles said large retailers have a responsibility to understand what is in their products.

“With their size and reach, we expect robust checks so prohibited items don’t end up in consumers’ hands,” she said.

“We’re asking the community to help us identify any products that may contain plastic microbeads.

“Check the packaging for ingredients including cellulose acetate, polyethylene and polylactic acid, and report any products of concern to the EPA.”

“Our officers will continue inspecting what’s on the market and won’t hesitate to take action where breaches are found.”

The EPA is working with businesses to pull these items from the shelves.

Consumers can help identify other products which may contain plastic microbeads by checking packaging for ingredients like cellulose acetate, polyethylene and polylactic acid.

Miles has asked anyone who identifies these ingredients to report them to the EPA for investigation.

The following products were subject to stop notices by the NSW EPA this year:

• Arkive The Crown Scalp Scrub 180ml and 60ml
• Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub 180ml
• Mutha The Nudist Exfoliating Body Bar
• Tula Skincare Take Care + Polish 240ml
• Exfoliating Body Granita Scrub 250ml
• QV Face Exfoliating Polish 125g
• Ella Baché Refining Exfoliating Gel 75ml
• Frase Skin Grub Scrub 100ml
• Santa Maria Novella Idralia Exfoliating Cream 100ml
• Chemron Rub Clean Gel with Grit 1kg
• Chemron My T Hands Lemon
• Industrial Hand Cleaner 1L

Ego Pharmaceuticals said in a statement it ceased production and sale of QV Face Exfoliating Polish some time ago.

“The product is not stocked by retailers Sephora, Mecca or ASOS referenced in the release,” the company said in a statement.

“Ego had previously confirmed to NSW EPA that it would not supply any rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads. 

“While Ego has stopped supplying the product nationally, remaining stock may still be present on retail shelves.”