Polyethylene

INCI name:   Polyethylene

Function:   Abrasive agent (in the form of microbeads), film-forming agent, viscosity control agent, emulsion stabilizer, bulking agent.

Origin:   Synthetic.

Concentration allowed by the EU regulation:   Prohibited in Europe (polyethylene microbeads).

Where to find it / Where they are found?:   Scrubs, shampoo, lipstick, wax strips, tinted lip balm, eye pencil, lip pencils, face creams, lip oils, eye shadow bases, soaps, face cleansing gels, toothpastes, eye contour creams, mascaras, foundations, body milks/baumes, blushes, anti-dark circles, deodorants.

Health risks:   Potential skin irritant (moderate).

Environmental risks:   Non-biodegradable, potential aquatic ecotoxicity.

Alternative :  

Additional information:   Size of the microbeads ranges between 0,1 and 1 mm.