[Thematic Report] Beauty and the Beast (Bead)by Nitipak Ratapipat | 21-04-2020 00:13 |
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We have to admit that advertising on TV , internet or from celebrities have been effecting to our buying decision. Especially nowadays people tend to take care themselves in order to have a good looking, increase self-confidence.
Consumer products , cosmetics manufacturer have been using many stimulate marketing techniques to attract consumer¡¯s buying. The words ¡°Deep Clean¡± or ¡°Extra Exfoliating¡± have been advertising in many consumer products such as facial foam, body wash, toothpaste etc.
By adding ¡°Microbeads¡± in these products , Marketer claims to help exfoliating dead skin and make skin look bright and radiance. How can consumers resist for this attractive ads ?
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) , Microbeads are a kind of microplastic with specific function for scrubbing or exfoliating. In cosmetics, ¡°microplastic¡± refers to all types of tiny plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mm. These tiny microbeads seem innocuous but actually are big polluters. They can cause the problem to our environment and marine ecosystem. Imagine when you scrub your face or brush your teeth, those super tiny microbeads can go through the drain and finally end up in rivers, lakes and oceans. Because of their compositions and the ability to absorb toxins in rivers or oceans, they can harm marine animals that ingest those small toxic microbeads easily. Finally humans who are the top of food chain consume those marine animals; They will receive those toxins inevitably.
Not only Thailand has officially banned the use of microbeads in the import, production and sale of rise-off cosmetics since the beginning of year but also other countries including Canada, France, India , Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, USA ban microbeads.
Finally, in order to save our world , read the ingredient before you buy any personal care products. Avoid microbeads by looking for these words : Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) , Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or Polymethyl methacrylate ((PMMA or Acrylic) . Use products that have natural scrub ingredient such as sugar, used coffee grounds, oat meal, salt instead.
References:
1. Plastic (not) fantastic: Microbeads are poisoning our oceans. (2015, August 27). Animals Australia - for a kinder world.
https://animalsaustralia.org/features/plastic-microbeads-poisoning-marine-life.php
2. Plastic microbeads. Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australian Government.
3. Public health ministry bans plastic microbeads in cosmetics.(2019, December 24). ThaiPBS World
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/public-health-ministry-bans-plastic-microbeads-in-cosmetics/
4. UNEP (2015). Plastic in Cosmetics: Are We Polluting the Environment through our Personal Care?
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