The saga of the plastic exfoliating bead continues

If you're a regular in these parts you might recall my ongoing mission: Some people fight AIDS, some animal abuse, and my cause is banning plastic beads. (Well, actually, I do what I can for other causes as well, but I guess this one is my "pet.") Many moons ago I discovered an article in scientific journal Orion about how polyethylene (plastic) beads found in many products wash right down the drain and go on to harm marine life. Then I spoke with Scientifica about the synthetic beads found in their rather awesome, bestselling Raspberry Lactic Scrub, and because they were unaware of the danger these beads pose, they actually agreed to alter the ingredients, making the product even, well, awesomer than before (and restoring my faith in humanity). Now Slate has caught on and published an article on the subject, and they call out Olay's newest exfoliant and some other offenders.

Hillary Rosner writes:

A smiling model glides, mermaidlike, through a lush underwater garden. Undulating ribbons of something resembling kelp rise from the sea floor, and tiny enchanting pearl-like beads bubble up though the aquamarine water. Polish your troubles away with Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons, the subject of this commercial, and you too might feel as if you're floating through a luxurious Atlantis.

The trouble is, the more you exfoliate, the less Edenic that underwater realm becomes for the creatures who live there. That's because the exfoliating ingredient in Olay's body wash, and in most similar big-brand products (such as Dove Gentle Exfoliating Foaming Facial Cleanser and Clean & Clear Daily Pore Cleanser), is actually made out of plastic: tiny particles of polyethylene that scrub the dirt from your face and then wash straight down the drain and into watersheds and, eventually, oceans.

Here's what you can do: Besides writing letters to these companies, you can boycott any and all exfoliants containing synthetic exfoliants. On that note, I have an environmentalist friend who encourages all her friends to lay off all plastics because they're not even remotely biodegradable and contain loads of possibly cancer-causing chemicals and toxins. I know it sounds rough, but consider that humans went without plastic for centuries and centuries, and heck, everyone survived. The easiest way to start: Refuse to use plastic bags and BYOB to the grocery store. My local Whole Foods actually just banned plastic bags, and I hear some progressive places like Seattle are actually considering a city-wide ban. And don't forget to lay off the plastic beads!

Anyone have any other suggestions?

--Erin

Want more from Product Fiend? Check out our Obsession of the Day for a daily review of the latest beauty must-haves!

Related Links from Product Fiend and Allure:

• Subscribe to Allure right now and get a FREE TOTE BAG!
• Celebrity Skin: Our Product Fiends dish on the latest celebrity beauty trends.
  
• Ready to slim down, tone up, and look your best? Sign up for allure.com's new and improved Total Makeover diet, fitness, and beauty program. Just by registering, you'll be entered to win today's prize, plus the grand prize spa trip for two.
• Being Green: Discover the latest in eco-friendly skincare products.