The same skincare products that exfoliate and restore a healthy glow could be contaminating the food supply.

The same skin care products that exfoliate and restore a healthy glow could be contaminating the food supply.

It’s because of the tiny plastic scrubbing beads they contain, and environmental groups are pushing states to crack down on products that utilize them.

The problem is that the beads are so small they pass through filters and find their way to large bodies of water.

While research specifically on microbeads is limited, other plastics research suggests that once in the water they absorb toxins and maybe eaten by fish that could end up being consumed by people.

Another problem with the tiny plastic pellets is that they’re non-biodegradable.

Given that a single bottle of face wash can have around 350 thousand beads, it’s not surprising that studies of the Great Lakes have shown there are a lot of them in the waters.

Two very large companies that have already instituted plans to reformulate products so they don’t contain the potentially dangerous bits are Proctor & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson.

There are however, dozens of other manufacturers that use the micro material.

Those who don’t have a plan in place may have to come up with one soon, as legislation to ban bead use is in motion in several states.