News Chemistry

A new microbead proves effective as a plastic-free skin scrubber

The bead breaks down into molecules similar to sugars and amino acids

person washing face

Newly-developed microbeads that break down in water could replace plastic ones used as exfoliants in skin cleansers.

Alex Potemkin/Getty Images

By Skyler Ware

A new degradable microbead could soon replace plastic exfoliants in skin cleansers.

The polymer spheres effectively remove permanent marker and eyeliner on animal skin samples and break down into molecules similar to sugars and amino acids, researchers report December 6 in Nature Chemical Engineering. The beads offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to microplastic beads, the scientists say.