Sustainability
When you rinse off your cleanser each day, do you ever wonder where it goes? Many people assume beauty products simply break down naturally or are safely removed by water-treatment plants. While treatment facilities can remove some harmful ingredients like certain parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, and synthetic dyes, a lot of damaging beauty waste still reaches our waterways. Plastic microbeads are a major problem — millions slip through treatment plants and end up in rivers and oceans (Allure).
This past September the California State Assembly passed a bill limiting the sale of personal care products — like cleansers, exfoliants, and toothpastes — that contain plastic microbeads. If signed into law, it would ban selling or promoting rinse-off personal care items that use plastic microbeads for exfoliating or cleansing in the state (Huffington Post). Allure called this a big step toward protecting wildlife harmed by tiny plastic particles in our rivers and oceans, and we agree.
Research from McGill University shows these microbeads sink to the bottoms of lakes and rivers and stay there (CBC). Fish and other aquatic animals can eat them, and those animals may eventually become part of our food. Once microbeads enter the food chain, they create a harmful cycle.
The good news is we can all help reduce this pollution by choosing safe, natural alternatives. Below are different types of Éminence exfoliants and the natural ingredients they use instead of plastic microbeads:
Physical exfoliants
Physical exfoliants use fine, natural granules to gently scrub away dead skin cells.
Examples:
– Stone Crop Fizzofoliant — blends stone crop with rice flour and adzuki flour to brighten skin and boost radiance.
– Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant — uses ground rice and chickpea flour to buff away surface impurities.
Enzyme exfoliants
Natural fruit enzymes, like papain and bromelain, help dissolve dead skin cells on the surface.
Examples:
– Arctic Berry Peel and Peptide Illuminating System — uses natural acids and papaya enzymes to exfoliate and improve overall skin appearance.
– Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5% — combines natural acids and enzymes from yam, pumpkin, pineapple, and papaya to remove dead skin cells.
Product picks
– Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5% — Effective natural exfoliation — $49.00 (48)
– Arctic Berry Peel & Peptide Illuminating System — 3-step system to target aging — $139.00 (30)
Chemical exfoliants
Despite the name, chemical exfoliants can be natural and gentle. Éminence formulas use mild, naturally occurring acids (AHAs and BHAs) that work deeper than physical scrubs.
Example:
– VitaSkin™ Exfoliating Peels — Our Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel uses lactic and glycolic acids for a deep yet gentle exfoliation.
Cream exfoliants
Cream exfoliants combine gentle physical particles with natural fruit acids for balanced exfoliation.
Want to learn more about our natural, eco-friendly exfoliants? Watch our YouTube video: How To Choose & Use Éminence Exfoliants.