Table of contents
Microplastics have become a hot topic recently. They pollute our oceans and are bad for the environment. But did you know that many of the personal care products we use every day also contain plastic? It is an active ingredient in many personal care products, such as sun creams, scrubs, shower gels and face creams. But also in many toothpastes that you use every day. Curious about how you can best identify microplastics in your toothpaste and to the microplastic-free toothpaste tablets? Then read on.
Microplastics, also known as plastic microbeads, are minuscule particles of plastic. They are not water soluble or biodegradable. This is why they remain present in the oceans or sewers for years. If they end up in our oceans, they can suffocate fish or other animals.
Plastic in different forms such as microplastics or the even smaller variant nano plastic, is used as an ingredient for different reasons. It makes creams easier to spread or shampoos easier to rinse out. In addition, the ingredient is used to cleanse, exfoliate or exfoliate. Plastic microbeads are also used to make glitter to give products a nice sheen. As the use of microbeads has become more and more controversial, natural alternatives to plastic are increasingly being used in various personal care products. Such as finely ground fruit seeds, sand or bamboo.
Have you noticed tiny glitter in your toothpaste? There is a good chance that these are microplastics. These glitters give the toothpaste a nice effect, but unfortunately the environment is less happy about it. However, there is a sustainable alternative, namely bio glitter. This is made of potato starch. Unfortunately this is not yet suitable for liquid cosmetics, as it is soluble in water.
Do you see the beautiful spheres in the toothpaste? These contain microplastics that pollute the environment. You can recognise them by the little balls or specks in the toothpaste. These are also micro and nano plastics that are in your toothpaste.
Look at the list of ingredients in your toothpaste; do you see any of the following active ingredients? Chances are your toothpaste contains plastic. Polyethylene (PE) Polyethylene glycol, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) Polyethylene terephthalate, Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
A more extensive list of microplastics can be found on Beat the microbeat.org.
According to research by Wageningen University, we consume less than a grain of salt in plastic every day. The negative impact of plastic on our environment is becoming increasingly clear. According to the Dutch Consumers’ Association, more than 74% are concerned about their health in relation to microplastics.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently working on a ban on non-biodegradable added microplastics. The intention is to gradually ban the addition in certain products, such as cosmetics and personal care products, over a six-year period starting in 2022. As a result, the plastic currently used as a filler will disappear.
Are you curious about which toothpastes are sold without microplastics? Below, you will find a list of the different plastic-free toothpastes:
Are you curious about natural toothpaste tablets? Natural toothpaste comes in different forms. Solid natural toothpaste, liquid or in tablets. These toothpastes are made of natural materials that care for your teeth.
Are you convinced of the effect of microplastic-free toothpaste? Then the toothpaste tablets from Fleeck are just the thing for you! The tablets are free of microplastics and contain natural ingredients. They are refillable and ensure whiter teeth.
Plastic Soup Foundation has developed a free app that allows you to check your personal care products for microplastics. More than 500 different microplastics are recognised by the app Beat the Microbead.
Popular categories
Frequently asked questions
Does toothpaste contain microplastic?
Yes, the toothpaste you use may contain plastic. Just like other personal care products such as sun cream, scrubs, shower gels and face creams, they can contain microplastics. By 2020, all microplastics or microbeads should have been removed from personal care products, but unfortunately this is not always the case.
Which toothpaste does not contain microplastics?
Do you want plastic-free toothpaste? Then choose natural variants such as toothpaste tablets or natural toothpastes that care for your teeth without plastic ingredients. With plastic-free packaging.
How to recognize microplastic in toothpaste?
Microplastics in toothpaste can be recognised by specks or glitter in the toothpaste. Also, if one of the following materials is on the list of ingredients, your toothpaste contains plastic: Polyethylene (PE) Polyethylene glycol, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) Polyethylene terephthalate.
Some people like to brush with an electric toothbrush, while others still scrub by hand. While it doesn't make much difference, toothpaste can affect your oral health. This is because many toothpastes still contain SLS. Find out how it works and what damage it can do. What is SLS in…
Read moreDental anxiety is common and can manifest itself in panic attacks and other symptoms. It can lead to complete avoidance of the dentist. This eventually leads to problems, as preventive dental care is needed to avoid serious problems. If you struggle with a fear of the dentist, it is important…
Read moreAlmost everyone has dealt with ignited gums at one time or another. Inflamed gums can bleed heavily. Severe gum inflammation can even cause loose teeth. Above all, do not be afraid of bleeding gums. Bleeding gums in particular require extra attention. Get a thorough dental cleaning so that your gums…
Read morePrice Based Country test mode enabled for testing Switzerland. You should do tests on private browsing mode. Browse in private with Firefox, Chrome and Safari