Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: For more than five decades, personal care and cosmetic products (PCCPs) have incorporated microplastics (MPs) into their formulations. Initially, naturally derived abrasives were employed; however, from the 1980s onward, synthetic plastic microbeads were increasingly adopted as polishing agents due to their lower cost, extended shelf life—particularly with respect to microbial stability—and reduced potential for skin irritation. Microplastics, especially those from rinse-off PCCPs, are subsequently released into the environment, raising significant environmental concerns. In response, regulatory measures have been introduced in several countries to restrict the use of MPs in PCCPs, prompting the development of alternative materials. This contribution examines the historical evolution of microplastic use in PCCPs, with particular emphasis on patent activity in this field.
Authors: Rana Zeeshan Habib, Thies Thiemann
Institutions: IMT Mines Alès, United Arab Emirates University
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7131267236