Facial Scrubs Without Microbeads

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Are you using fish friendly face products? Why and what do I mean by “fish friendly”?

Fish Friendly facial products are those that do not contain microbeads.

What are Microbeads?

Tiny pieces of plastic that can be found in facial scrubs, facial washes and toothpastes. Microbeads are in these products as the exfoliating/scrubbing element. But these plastic microbeads are very bad for our environment because they pollute the oceans and are eaten by fish and birds.

Because Microbeads are so small, they pass through the filtration systems at sewage works and then wash out into the sea.  Every time you use a facial wash 100,000 microbeads wash down the sink into the oceans, straight in to the mouths of fish and birds. (I’m picturing Nemo and Dory right about now, I hope you are too).

So what can you do? Well there are two really important things.

The first is to sign Greenpeace’s petition to David Cameron to ban the use of microbeads in products (sign the petition here). If you think this is a tall order, the USA and Canada have already passed a bill to ban microbeads, so the tide is turning.

The second thing you can do is to check you are only using products which do not contain microbeads. Microbeads are named as either:

• polyethylene
• polypropylene
• polystyrene

I’ve been trying out three facial scrubs which are free from microbeads.

Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub for uneven skin tone

This scrub has been formulated to visibly diminish the appearance of dark spots and hyper-pigmentation with the help of these natural ingredients:

• Grapefruit-the vitamin C and Lycopene in grapefruit help to naturally even skin tone to give you smoother, softer looking skin.
• Liquorice Root-helps to combat dark circles and uneven skin tone around the eyes. Calms and soothes skin inflammation.
• White Tea-an antioxidant which corrects pigmentation un-evenness and helps to repair signs of sun damage.
• Star Flower-evens skin tone and helps to fade age spots, freckles and hyper-pigmentation.

This smells lovely, it’s so refreshing and a great zesty “wake me up” scent for first thing in the morning. The scrub is gentle enough to be used daily and on sensitive skin and leaves skin glowing and smooth. The scrub contains Polylactic Acid which is a natural exfoliating bead. Find it to order online here

Lavera 3-in-1 Organic Wash, Scrub, Mask 

This is a real multi-tasker which can be used daily, as a facial wash and a scrub by massaging on to skin in small circular motions and if you want a deeply purifying mask effect, apply to damp skin and leave on for 5 minutes. You can use as a mask several times a week.

This scrub is great if you are looking for clearer skin and want something to fight blemishes and oiliness. The key ingredients are:

• Organic Peppermint extract-anti-bacterial and clarifying.
• Siliceous Earth-mattifies and removes excess oil.
• Natural Salicylic Acid from Willow bark extract-actively fights spots.

This scrub smells fresh and uplifting and uses hydronated jojoba wax as a microbead alternative. Find it here

Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub 

Now this is a high end scrub and if you’re looking for more than a daily face scrub, this is the one.

The Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub contains ruby crystals (instead of plastic microbeads) which gently polish away dead surface cells to reveal brighter, clearer looking skin. With daily use this scrub can also give you younger looking skin, as it improves the appearance of fine lines and reduces pore size.

The ruby crystals feel almost sand like but not in a gritty way, you can feel that the crystals are smaller particles to those in other scrubs. The crystals are perfectly spherical shaped, which makes them ideal for removing dead skin cells, oil and dirt without aggravating skin. The crystals actually mimic those found in salon microdermabrasion treatments.  Ingredients include:

• Organic Red Tea extract-an antioxidant which is 50x stronger than green tea. Fights free radicals and oxidization which contribute towards skin ageing. Tightens pores and soothes skin.
• Hyaluronic Acid-plumps and hydrates skin.
• Seaweed extract-nourishes and firms skin to give a natural glow and texture.

I’ve really enjoyed using this scrub and will continue to do so. My skin feels so soft. I have to stop myself from keep stroking my face. Find it to order online here

Let’s all sign up to ban microbeads and get fish friendly. As Dory would say “just keep scrubbing”.