Analysis of microbeads in cosmetic products in the United Arab Emirates

The microparticle content of 37 common facial and body scrubs commercially available in the United Arab Emirates was analyzed. The chemical composition, ash content, physical characteristics, loading, particle size and shape of the microparticles were determined. Only 11 out of 37 products were found to have microplastic content. Many of the remaining products exhibited microparticles composed of microcrystalline cellulose and crushed walnut shells. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that microplastic products had softening points as low as 84 °C. Plastic microbeads of 2 products were found to fuse at 100 °C. The fusion altered the flotation characteristics of the microbeads of one product. Heat treatment of the product at 100 °C in the presence of silica gel led to entrainment of the silica and partial fragmentation of the beads upon cooling. This may be understood as one mechanism of fragmentation of a microplastic with a low softening point in the presence of hard soil particles under temperature cycling. [Display omitted] •37 commercial body scrubs in the UAE were analyzed as to their microparticle content.•Only 11 out of the 37 products were found to contain microplastics.•12 out of 37 products contained more than 1% ash content.•Plastic microbeads were shown to undergo physical changes upon heat treatment, including fragmentation. Of 37 common facial and body scrubs in the UAE analyzed for chemical composition, loading and particle size, 30% had microplastic content. Some of the microplastics had low softening points, leading to shape deformation, fusion of particles and changed flotation.