Introduction

In our pursuit of glowing skin, we often overlook a crucial question—at what environmental cost? With millions of cosmetic and skincare products washed down our drains daily, it’s time we consider the ecological footprint of our beauty routines. As a dermatologist advocating for skin health and sustainability, I believe it’s imperative to educate consumers about how certain ingredients in skincare not only affect the skin but also damage the environment.

Why Should We Care?

Every product we apply eventually enters the environment—via wastewater systems, landfill disposal, or even direct contamination through packaging. Microplastics, chemical UV filters, silicones, and persistent preservatives find their way into oceans, freshwater systems, and soil, harming aquatic ecosystems, disrupting marine life, and sometimes re-entering our bodies through the food chain. The beauty industry, unfortunately, is among the top contributors to this silent pollution.

Effects of Environmentally Harmful Skincare Ingredients

• Aquatic toxicity: Many ingredients do not degrade easily and can poison aquatic life.
• Bioaccumulation: Some compounds accumulate in marine organisms, working their way up the food chain.
• Hormonal disruption in wildlife: Ingredients like UV filters mimic hormones and disrupt reproduction in fish and other animals.
• Soil degradation: Persistent ingredients alter soil microbiota and fertility.
• Air and carbon pollution: Volatile compounds from sprays and propellants can contribute to smog and greenhouse gas emissions.

List of Ingredients and Their Environmental Impact

Silicone and Dermatocare List of Harmful ingredients

We have only included cyclic silicones (also known as cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes or cVMS), in our list of harmful ingredients because they are the most concerning from an environmental perspective.

• These silicones usually end in “-siloxane” and start with “Cyclo-”
• Examples: Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane

They are lightweight, volatile, and commonly used in products for a silky finish or quick dry-down (e.g., hair serums, primers, sprays).

We have excluded linear or non-volatile silicones from our harmful ingredient list. Although these compounds are not fully biodegradable, they exhibit low potential for bioaccumulation and are generally considered less toxic to aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, our product analysis indicates that these silicones are commonly used across the skincare industry at present.

How Can You Contribute to Greener Skincare?

1. Read the Label: Learn to recognize ingredients that are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBTs).
2. Choose Reef-Safe Sunscreens: Opt for mineral-based sunscreens like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in non-nano forms.
3. Go Microbead-Free: Use natural exfoliants like oatmeal, sugar, or ground seeds.
4. Limit Fragrance: Opt for fragrance-free or naturally scented products.
5. Support Green Brands: Choose companies with eco-certifications, biodegradable packaging, and transparent sustainability policies.
6. Minimalism Works: Fewer products = less waste. Choose multi-functional products when possible.
7. Recycle Thoughtfully: Clean and recycle packaging; consider refills or return programs where available.
8. Advocate: Share your knowledge with others and demand more accountability from beauty brands.

Acrylates and Microplastic pollution

Acrylate-based ingredients, such as Acrylates Copolymer, Polyacrylate-13, Carbomer, and Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, are commonly used in skincare for their thickening, film-forming, and stabilizing properties.

However, these synthetic polymers are non-biodegradable and can persist in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to microplastic pollution. Once washed off, they may accumulate in water bodies, disrupt aquatic life, and enter the food chain. Due to their environmental persistence and potential to bioaccumulate, acrylates raise significant concerns regarding long-term ecological damage.

Conclusion

Being conscious of skincare’s environmental impact is not just a trend—it’s a responsibility. As dermatologists and consumers, we must champion sustainable choices that safeguard both skin health and planetary health. At Dermatocare, we have included these environmentally harmful ingredients in our “Harmful Ingredient List” while reviewing products to ensure our recommendations are aligned with both dermatological safety and ecological responsibility. Our regime and product suggestions are increasingly curated with a focus on green chemistry, biodegradable formulations, and minimal environmental footprint.