At a time when the European Commission is announcing a gradual ban on the use of microplastics, Cosnova, a European make-up specialist based in Germany, announces that it has already eliminated 100 % of microplastics from all its Essence and Catrice products since March 2023.
A forthcoming European Commission directive on cosmetics and microplastics is set to shake up the industry: it will gradually introduce new requirements concerning microplastics. The ban will apply to all persistent synthetic particles smaller than 5 mm, and thus to cosmetics such as exfoliants and glitter.
The ban is part of the EU's efforts to reduce pollution. Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that enter the oceans through the water cycle. The gradual implementation of the directive now concerns flakes or exfoliating beads contained in rinse-off products. Other products containing microplastics will benefit from a 12-year transition period. However, in eight years' time, these transitional products will have to bear the words "this product contains microplastics" until the definitive ban.
A priority for Cosnova since 2020
Katrin Steinbach, an expert in Cosnova's Corporate Responsibility technical unit, reacts to the announcement: " As a company that has been pursuing an ambitious sustainability strategy for many years, we welcome the EU's decision. We began developing microplastic-free products three years ago, and have already revised all our existing products. Since March this year, all Essence and Catrice products have been 100 % microplastic-free.
All products from both brands that have a glittery effect, such as eyeshadow or nail polish, contain either biodegradable glitter or mineral particles such as mica.
For products with an exfoliating effect, such as lip scrubs, Cosnova also uses exclusively natural substances, such as sugar, plant bark powder or jojoba beads.
Here are a few examples of the alternatives to microplastic used by cosnova:
- Mineral substances: effect pigments based on mica or silica (ethically degraded) effect pigments based on borosilicate and synthetic fluorophlogopite
- Biodegradable sequins made from renewable materials, combined in different layers
- Sugar
- Lemon zest powder
- Hardened jojoba oil
- Bamboo powder
No more volatile silicones from 2025
Eliminating microplastics is only one step. Cosnova is working on new formulas without volatile silicones. The spectrum of silicones and their uses is very broad, as is their impact on health and the environment. Like microplastics, these synthetic plastics are released into nature via wastewater. It is therefore very difficult to eliminate them. Cosnova intends to completely eliminate volatile silicones from its product formulas by 2025.
Product safety: one of Cosnova's five CSR pillars
"As a major player in the beauty industry, cosnova takes its responsibilities to fundamentally reduce its ecological footprint. Beyond "product safety", the company continues to innovate around four other pillars: climate and environment, waste reduction, working conditions and employee social initiatives."the company says.
