Are defined as any intentionally added, water insoluble, solid plastic particles (5 mm or less in size) used to exfoliate or cleanse in rinse-off personal care products. There is concern that the quantities of plastic litter in our marine environment can harm eco-systems and microplastic particles that enter the marine environment can be consumed by sea-life. In October 2015, Cosmetics Europe recommended to its members to discontinue, by 2020, the use of synthetic, solid, plastic particles (microbeads) used for exfoliating and cleansing.
