NIVEA's Commitment to Zero Microplastics

The concerns about microplastics has increased in recent years as it can pose a risk to the environment. NIVEA identified the need for action and found ways to avoid microplastic in oder to improve sustainability in skincare.

But what are microplastic-free cosmetics? Since the end of 2021, all NIVEA products worldwide are free of microplastics. Deepen your understanding of this topic and check out our FAQ section that aims to provide you with more information on microplastics.

WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS?

Microplastics, as defined by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), are solid plastic particles that are smaller than five millimetres, insoluble in water, and non-biodegradable. Due to their properties, they are a source of both soil and marine pollution around the world.

Microplastics are usually categorized into primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are designed to be tiny and added to products deliberately, whereas secondary microplastics result from large pieces of plastic being broken down into smaller pieces through weather exposure and erosion. No matter how microplastics end up in the environment – once they are there, they become a problem.

That is why NIVEA delivered on the promise to stop using microplastics as a skincare ingredient and achieved this goal by the end of 2021.

What are microplastic-free cosmetics?

NIVEA refers to microplastic-free skincare products when they are free of ingredients that are solid, water-insoluble, plastic particles that are five-millimeters or smaller and not biodegradable. Mircoplastic might be added to skincare products for example for exfoliating properties. Microplastics can be used to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, and a single cleansing product could potentially contain thousands of microbeads at once. Microplastic-free cosmetics, however, would optimise their products through sustainable ways, such as using natural, biodegradable alternatives like jojoba beads, hydrogenated caster oil, and apricot kernels instead.

NIVEA’S COMMITMENT TO 100% MICROPLASTIC-FREE SKINCARE AND PRODUCTS WITHOUT MICROBEADS

NIVEA took action early on in eliminating microplastics in skincare products. Back in 2013, we asked: How could we possibly make NIVEA products microplastic-free? We decided to phase out exfoliating particles made of polyethylene, often referred to as microbeads in cosmetics and toiletries. Since the end of 2015, all NIVEA peelings have been free of microbeads and NIVEA has been using environmentally friendly alternatives instead. This is evident in products such as NIVEA's Pore Purifying 3-in-1 Wash Scrub Mask where Kaolin Clay was added for its natural exfoliating properties instead of microbeads.

But we went far beyond just microplastics that you can see and feel. The next milestone was phasing out opacifiers in our rinse-off products, which we accomplished at the end of 2019. These ingredients contributed to the colour and appearance of our formulations. Having completed this phase-out, all our rinse-off products, such as face and body washes or men’s face wash, are now without microbeads and 100 percent microplastic-free.

As a next step we have been working intensively to replace the few remaining microplastic-based raw materials used in our leave-on formulations, e.g. mircoplastic fillers that are used to alter viscosity and improve the feeling on the skin. We eliminated all of them and since the end of 2021, all NIVEA products are free of microplastics.

MICROPLASTIC-FREE SKINCARE PRODUCTS BY NIVEA

Many of our products, such as our entire face wash and body cleansing assortments, are already 100 percent free of microplastics. On many of them, you will find this symbol, enabling you to make a sustainable decision. In addition, our entire Naturally Good product range is 100% free of microplastics, so you can shop without concern.

LED BY SCIENCE: NIVEA'S FOCUS ON BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

The discussion about microplastics has also expanded, to some extent, to include substances that have fundamentally different properties. The ingredients in question are polymers, which are either dissolved in water or gel-like. They are sometimes referred to as “liquid microplastics”, a term that is not only misleading but also not scientifically sound. Used in small quantities as thickeners, stabilizers, or film formers, they provide a variety of product benefits, such as improved water resistance in sunscreens or better hair smoothening results in shampoos. But according to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), these polymers are not microplastics.

Whatever they are called and regardless of their purpose, all polymers used by NIVEA must meet the highest safety requirements. Therefore, they are very well tolerated by the skin and are non-allergenic. NIVEA promises that, by the end of 2025, all polymers used in our European formulations will be biodegradable. For us, biodegradability is crucial in order to exclude possible negative impacts on ecosystems.

We know that many people are concerned about the impact their favorite skincare products have on water systems. That is why we are committed to using biodegradable polymers. We have already started changing the formulas for our body cleansing and sun protection products.

NIVEA Body Cleansing Products: Microplastic-Free with Biodegradable Polymers

We have finalized the reformulation of our body cleansing core assortment. You can find all the relevant information on the product detail pages, so you can shop consciously.

NIVEA SHOWER GEL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MICROPLASTICS IN SKINCARE

Why should microplastics be viewed critically?
Firstly, microplastics re usually categorized into primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are designed to be tiny and added to products deliberately, whereas secondary microplastics result from large pieces of plastic being broken down into smaller pieces through weather exposure and erosion. No matter how microplastics end up in the environment – once they are there, they become a problem.

Microplastics have the ability to absorb harmful chemicals such as pesticides or heavy metals. These chemicals can become harmful to animals, especially within the marine environment. Microplastics often become pollutants in the world’s oceans. All plastic items that end up floating in the ocean will break down into microplastics. Because of their small particle sizes, they are accidentally eaten by marine life, which would result in an increase in exposure of harmful chemicals. This could lead to intoxicating effects including inhibiting growth or influencing mortality – as these particles enter animals’ bodies and disrupt their cell functions.

Where can we find NIVEA's Microplastic Free Products?
Since the end of 2021, all new NIVEA products have been formulated microplastic-free. If you’re unsure about the environmental-friendly alternatives we are using instead of microplastics, you could also review our ingredients glossary to gather a better understanding.

ONE SKIN. ONE PLANET. ONE CARE.

We want to be 100 percent transparent and answer all your questions about sustainability at NIVEA. If you could not find all the answers you were looking for on this website, or are looking for more detailed information, please visit the sustainability website of NIVEA’s parent company, Beiersdorf.