Greenpeace finds microplastics in many cosmetics

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Many cosmetic brands still cannot do without petroleum products

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The voluntary measures do not seem to be sufficient: the environmental organization Greenpeace has found microplastics in many of the cosmetics examined in an analysis.

A good three quarters of the 664 examined products from well-known cosmetic brands contained plastics - a quarter of them microplastics, the others liquid, semi-solid or soluble plastic.

The organization published the figures on Monday in the report "To remove make-up - plastic in cosmetics".

First, Greenpeace examined the ingredient lists on the company's websites.

In a second step, eleven selected products were then analyzed in more detail in the laboratory.

Plastic can be inhaled or swallowed

"The results show that plastic ingredients are often contained in products that come into contact with sensitive body parts such as eyes and lips and can thus be inhaled or swallowed by consumers," the report says.

The highest concentrations of plastics were found in eye make-up, lip gloss, and lipsticks.

With these results, the German government's attempt to ban plastic from cosmetics on a voluntary basis, together with industry, failed for the environmentalists.

“Seven years of dialogue are over, but the unvarnished truth is that we continue to smear plastic on our faces on a regular basis.

Be it in the form of make-up, powder or lipstick, «said the Greenpeace expert on consumption and chemistry, Viola Wohlgemuth.

Demand for a ban

The organization

demanded from the federal government a ban on plastics in cosmetics.

"Environment Minister Svenja Schulze from the SPD must promote a clear ban on plastic of any consistency in cosmetics - at German and EU level," said Wohlgemuth.

There is currently only a ban on solid microplastics in cosmetic products being negotiated.

Criticism of the demands come from the industry: The IKW body care and detergent industry association refers to official investigations on the Internet, according to which a health risk from microplastics has not been proven.

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jlk / dpa