Microbeads in toiletries: method 445.0 : chapter 1

Appendix 1. List of common and other potential plastics in microbeads

Table 1. Microbeads: list of common plastics used in toiletries
Item	Plastic	Common uses
1	Nylon-12 (polyamide-12)	Bulking, viscosity controlling, opacifying (e.g. wrinkle creams)
2	Nylon-6	Bulking agent, viscosity controlling
3	Poly(ethylene terephthalate)	Adhesive, film formation, hair fixative; viscosity controlling, aesthetic agent, (e.g. glitters in bubble bath, makeup)
4	Polyethylene (most common)	Abrasive, film forming, viscosity controlling, binder for powders
5	Poly (methyl methacrylate)	Sorbent for delivery of active ingredients
6	Polypropylene	Bulking agent, viscosity increasing agent
7	Polystyrene	Film formation
8	Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)	Bulking agent, slip modifier, binding agent, skin conditioner
9	Polyurethane	Film formation (e.g. facial masks, sunscreen, mascara)

Table 2. Microbeads: list of other possible plastics used in toiletries
Item	Plastic	Common uses
1	Poly(butylene terephthalate)	Film formation, viscosity controlling
2	Poly(ethylene isoterephthalate)	Bulking agent
3	Polyacrylate	Viscosity controlling
4	Acrylates copolymer	Binder, hair fixative, film formation, suspending agent
5	Allyl stearate/vinyl acetate copolymers	Film formation, hair fixative
6	Ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer	Viscosity controlling
7	Ethylene/methylacrylate copolymer	Film formation
8	Ethylene/acrylate copolymer	Film formation in waterproof sunscreen, gellant (e.g. lipstick, stick products, hand creams)
8	Butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer	Viscosity controlling
10	Styrene acrylates copolymer	Aesthetic, coloured microspheres (e.g. makeup)
11	Trimethylsiloxysilicate (silicone resin)	Film formation (e.g. colour cosmetics, skin care, suncare)