I’ve just found out how often microplastics are used as constituents in cosmetic formulations outside of the commonly-known microbeads (wow, I never knew PEG was synthetic!), and a simple search on your blog doesn’t turn up any articles you’ve written so far on these ingredients. Could you help me evaluate some literature/navigate the absolute morass of chemical information out there? I’ve linked a few papers below (please give me a heads up if they turn out to be from predatory journals…) as an example. Disclaimer: I’m finishing up my PhD in another field but am almost completely chemistry-illiterate so I would really appreciate your help with all this 🙂

Plastics are a huge group and I’m aware one compound may have completely different properties/effects from another under this umbrella; however, do you think any groups have the potential to become a concern given the ecological and human health hazards that have come to light over the past few years regarding the effects of micro- and nano-plastics? See: https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cssc.202401065 — it also discusses alternatives for formulations.

And I’m not sure if cosmetic ingredients would even be classified as a “microplastic”? According to the above, it does. At the same time, toxicological studies (on some variants on PEG, for example: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4505343/#sec2 ) generally say it’s safe but that safety data is lacking for other variants… I would assume all ingredients used in formulations have been tested for safety (or simply, data is lacking but no overt harm has been demonstrated thus far), but there’s so many different kinds and forms of “safety” it seems like it can get a bit fiddly… And microplastic genotoxicity and mutagenicity wasn’t even on the scientific radar until perhaps the late 90s (if I had to guess).

I’m continuing to cut out what little single-use plastics I use in my life to reduce cumulative exposure but I have no idea if the benefit-to-cost ratio to do so in my skincare/cosmetics routine as well is worth it, given they’re so useful and also almost universally utilized in formulations.

Sorry for the unorganized train of thought, but I’d be really excited to have a discussion with you over all this, I find it exciting!

Sara

I’ve been watching your videos for quite a while now and I always find them so interesting and well researched.

I know this isn’t relevant to this particular article, but I’ve always heard your many recommendations for damaged or dry hair products and have been wondering about the unspoken: oily hair care.

You have mentioned it a few times as an aside, like how not washing your hair won’t make it less oily etc. but (unless I’ve somehow managed to miss it) there’s never been a video focused on the best haircare tips for it (good ingredients, how to make it more manageable etc.)

Thanks for all you do and for reading this 🙂

I think VT Reedle shots would make an extremely interesting topic. And the product is ultra viral and popular too.

I’ve seen online that the sea sponge is similar in shape to asbestos under a microscope. Where does the science lie?
And, aside from the possible carcinogenic implications, are there potential issues with the particles building up in the lungs or eyes?

And finally, how do they have such a smoothing effect? Is it simply just causing a temporary swelling to skin that smoothes out texture?

Thank you so much. I love what you do. I refer so many friends to your site for some science based sense!! Thank you 🙂