Could A Ban On Microbeads Overhaul The Cosmetics Industry?

Cosmetics companies could see US legislation overhaul their product lines over the next few years as consumers begin to pay more attention to their effect on the environment.

Though many companies have begun to introduce “green” cosmetics lines, a push to outlaw microbeads could result in major changes to the beauty industry.

Microbeads, small plastic cylinders found in exfoliating scrubs, are set to be banned in Illinois beginning in 2015 due to their negative impact on the state's aquatic ecosystems. The beads can be harmful to marine life as they are small enough to pass through water treatment systems and later ingested by fish and birds.

llinois is the first state to make the sale of such products illegal, but many see the ban widening to other states in the coming months. New York, California and Ohio have already begun to draw up legislation supporting a state-wide ban.

Companies like L'Oreal SA and Unilever N.V. UN have already promised to completely remove the plastic beads from their product lines by 2015 in an effort to satisfy consumers' demand for social responsibility.

International campaigns like "Beat the Microbead," for example, have been encouraging consumers to stop purchasing products that contain the beads, causing many big-name companies to take note.

Procter & Gamble PG has also vowed to become microbead free, though not until 2017.

If other states start banning the beads in the coming year, though, most expect to see big cosmetics chains picking up the pace on phasing out products that include the tiny plastic balls.