Microplastics have become one of those topics that shows up everywhere, from ocean cleanup headlines to conversations about what’s actually in the products we use every day. Toothpaste often gets swept into that conversation too, partly because some older formulas really did contain tiny plastic beads. So where does that leave the toothpaste in your bathroom cabinet today?
Here’s what the terminology means, what’s actually been used in oral care, and what current regulations say.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking supplements or making dental health changes.
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Quick Answer: Can Toothpaste Contain Microplastics?
Some toothpastes have historically contained intentionally added plastic particles, particularly plastic microbeads used for cleaning or polishing. However, their use has been increasingly restricted. In the United States, plastic microbeads intended to exfoliate or cleanse in rinse-off products, including certain toothpastes, are prohibited under the Microbead-Free Waters Act. The European Union has gone further, restricting a broader category of intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles beginning in 2023, with abrasive microbeads restricted immediately and other polymer particles in products like toothpaste phased out by 2027. “Microplastics” and “microbeads” are not always interchangeable terms, and whether a given ingredient is covered by regulation can depend on the particle type, purpose, polymer, product category, and jurisdiction.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are commonly described as very small plastic particles, often under 5mm, although scientific and regulatory definitions can differ. Some definitions also include certain longer, fiber-like particles, provided they’re thin enough relative to their length. There are two broad categories:
| Type | Meaning |
| Intentionally added particles | Particles manufactured at microscopic size and deliberately added to a product |
| Secondary particles | Particles formed when larger plastic items break down over time |
When it comes to toothpaste, the main concern is usually intentionally added particles, particularly microbeads or synthetic polymer particles added on purpose during manufacturing.
Are There Microplastics in Toothpaste?
Historically, yes. Certain toothpastes and other oral-care products have used intentionally added plastic particles for functions such as polishing, cleaning, texture, visual appearance, or general formulation performance.
That said, not every toothpaste contains them, and whether a specific product does depends on the formulation, manufacturer, country of sale, and which regulatory definition is being applied.
What Are Microbeads in Toothpaste?
Plastic microbeads are a specific type of intentionally added small plastic particle, and they’re the form most people mean when they talk about microplastics in toothpaste.
Under the U.S. Microbead-Free Waters Act, a plastic microbead is defined as a solid plastic particle measuring less than 5mm that’s intended to exfoliate or cleanse the human body. The law specifically covers rinse-off cosmetics, and toothpaste is explicitly named in the statute’s definition of “rinse-off cosmetic.” The EU regulation defines “microbeads” somewhat differently, as synthetic polymer microparticles used specifically as an abrasive, to exfoliate, polish, or clean.
| Term | What It Means | Same Thing? |
| Microplastic | Broad category of small plastic particles | Broad term |
| Microbead | A specific type of intentionally added plastic particle, generally used as an abrasive | Type of microplastic |
| Synthetic polymer | Broader chemical and material category | Not automatically a microplastic |
| Nanoplastic | Even smaller plastic particles | Different size category |
Not every polymer listed on an ingredient label qualifies as a regulated microplastic, and the legal definition of “microbead” itself narrows depending on which jurisdiction’s law you’re reading. That distinction matters, and it’s one this article comes back to repeatedly.
Why Were Microplastics Added to Toothpaste?
Cleaning and Polishing
Some particles were historically incorporated for physical cleaning or polishing action, similar in concept to how other abrasive ingredients function.
Texture
Particles or polymers can influence mouthfeel and consistency in a formulation.
Appearance
Certain particles, including colorful microbeads, were used purely for visual effect.
Formulation Performance
Some polymers function as binders, film formers, stabilizers, or thickeners rather than as visible abrasive beads at all. This is an important distinction, because it means “contains a polymer” doesn’t automatically mean “contains a microbead.”
Are Microplastics in Toothpaste Still Allowed?
This is where the regulatory picture gets genuinely important, and it differs meaningfully by region.
United States
The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 prohibits the manufacture and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing intentionally added plastic microbeads intended to exfoliate or cleanse. The law explicitly names toothpaste as a covered rinse-off cosmetic, and it also covers products that are both cosmetics and non-prescription drugs, which includes anti-cavity fluoride toothpastes. For ordinary rinse-off cosmetics, manufacturing was prohibited beginning July 1, 2017, and interstate distribution beginning July 1, 2018. For rinse-off products that are also over-the-counter drugs, such as fluoride toothpaste, the corresponding deadlines were July 1, 2018, and July 1, 2019.
It’s worth being precise here: the U.S. rule targets a specific, legally defined category, plastic microbeads intended for exfoliating or cleansing. It doesn’t automatically cover every synthetic polymer that might meet a broader scientific definition of “microplastic.”
European Union
The European Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 in September 2023, amending the EU’s REACH chemicals regulation to restrict a broader category of intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles. The restriction began applying October 17, 2023.
Within this regulation, “microbeads” have their own narrower legal meaning: synthetic polymer microparticles used specifically as an abrasive, to exfoliate, polish, or clean. These abrasive microbeads were restricted with no transitional period at all, because regulators expected industry to have already voluntarily phased them out by 2020. That means abrasive microbeads in rinse-off products, including toothpaste, have effectively been prohibited from sale since October 17, 2023.
Other intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles used in rinse-off cosmetics for reasons other than abrasion, such as film-forming or texture-related polymers, received a longer runway: a transitional period running until October 17, 2027. Leave-on cosmetics, encapsulated fragrances, and makeup or nail products have their own separate, longer transition periods extending to 2029 and 2035.
Regulation Comparison
| Region | Regulation | What It Generally Covers |
| United States | Microbead-Free Waters Act | Plastic microbeads intended for exfoliation or cleansing in rinse-off products, explicitly including toothpaste |
| European Union | Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 under REACH | Abrasive “microbeads” restricted immediately (from October 2023); other synthetic polymer microparticles in rinse-off cosmetics like toothpaste phased out by October 2027 |
| Other countries | Regulations vary | Some jurisdictions use bans, restrictions, or voluntary phase-outs |
Regulations shouldn’t be treated as identical worldwide, since definitions, exemptions, deadlines, and covered polymers differ by jurisdiction. The EU restriction’s full legal definition is technical, generally covering solid synthetic polymer particles 5mm or smaller, or certain fiber-like particles up to 15mm, along with specific criteria on solubility and biodegradability that exclude some materials from the designation entirely; what’s summarized here is a simplified overview rather than the complete legal test.
Why Were Microbeads Banned?
The primary driver behind the U.S. law was environmental pollution, not evidence that toothpaste microbeads directly harmed the people using them.
The FDA states plainly that Congress passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act because microbeads can pass into wastewater and ultimately reach lakes and oceans, where they may be mistaken for food by fish and other wildlife. The agency also explicitly notes that the law does not address consumer safety, and that it doesn’t have evidence suggesting plastic microbeads, as used in cosmetics, pose a human health concern.
That’s an important nuance: the documented rationale for the U.S. microbead restriction was primarily environmental, although broader microplastic research continues to examine possible human-health effects more generally.
Are Microplastics in Toothpaste Harmful to Your Health?
This deserves a conservative answer. Microplastics are being actively studied for potential effects on human health, but the mere presence of a plastic particle doesn’t automatically demonstrate that a particular toothpaste causes harm. Risk depends on factors including particle type, size, dose, exposure route, formulation, and frequency of use.
As covered above, the documented rationale behind the U.S. microbead restriction was environmental rather than a proven human oral-health risk. That doesn’t mean human-health research doesn’t exist or won’t develop further, but it does mean the “banned because it’s dangerous to you” framing oversimplifies what regulators have actually said.
Microplastics vs. Abrasives in Toothpaste
A common misconception is assuming every small, solid cleaning particle in toothpaste is a plastic. Most aren’t.
| Ingredient Type | Plastic? | Why It May Be Used |
| Hydrated silica | No | Abrasive and polishing agent |
| Calcium carbonate | No | Cleaning and polishing |
| Sodium bicarbonate | No | Cleaning and buffering |
| Plastic microbeads | Yes | Historically used for cleansing or polishing in some products |
Conventional toothpaste abrasives like hydrated silica and calcium carbonate are mineral-based, not plastic, and they’re unaffected by microbead or microplastic regulations.
How Can You Tell If Toothpaste Contains Microplastics?
This is genuinely harder than checking for most other ingredients, and it’s worth being upfront about that rather than offering a false sense of certainty.
Identifying microplastics from an ingredient list alone can be difficult because regulatory definitions depend on characteristics that aren’t listed on packaging, such as particle form, particle size, solubility, biodegradability, and intended function. Seeing a synthetic-sounding ingredient name doesn’t tell you whether it meets a legal microplastic definition.
Practical options include looking for manufacturer disclosures, checking whether a product is marketed as “microplastic-free” or “microbead-free,” and reviewing a brand’s published ingredient policies where available.
Does Polyethylene in Toothpaste Mean It Contains Microplastics?
Not necessarily. Polyethylene can be used to manufacture plastic particles, but seeing the word “polyethylene” on a label alone doesn’t tell you the particle’s size, physical form, function, or whether it meets a specific legal definition of microplastic. Polyethylene has other uses in formulations that have nothing to do with abrasive beads.
Is “Microplastic-Free Toothpaste” Better?
Choosing a microplastic-free product is a reasonable choice primarily for environmental reasons. But oral-health effectiveness depends on separate factors, including:
- Cavity prevention through an appropriate active ingredient
- Fluoride or another evidence-supported anticaries ingredient
- Sensitivity needs
- Overall abrasivity
- Dentist recommendations for your specific situation
Toothpaste Options to Consider
If you’re looking to reduce your exposure to intentionally added plastic particles, these toothpaste options are worth comparing. Their published ingredient lists use mineral-based abrasives and hydroxyapatite rather than plastic microbeads. However, always check the current ingredient list and manufacturer’s information before purchasing, as formulations can change.
| Product | Type | Key Ingredient | Why Consider It | Best For | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boka Ela Mint Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste | Fluoride-free toothpaste | Nano-hydroxyapatite | Uses nano-hydroxyapatite alongside hydrated silica and silica rather than plastic microbeads in its published ingredient list | Readers looking for a hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste | Check Price on Amazon |
| Davids Hydroxi Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste | Fluoride-free toothpaste | Nano-hydroxyapatite | Uses calcium carbonate and hydrated silica as abrasives alongside nano-hydroxyapatite, with no polyethylene listed in the published ingredients | Readers looking for a simple HAp-based formulation | Check Price on Amazon |
| Boka Cinna Mint Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste | Fluoride-free toothpaste | Nano-hydroxyapatite | Another Boka HAp formulation with silica-based abrasives and no polyethylene listed in the published ingredient list | Readers who prefer a cinnamon-mint flavour | Check Price on Amazon |
A “microplastic-free” label doesn’t tell you anything about whether the toothpaste is otherwise effective at its core job. If you’re weighing which active ingredients actually matter most, our guides to remineralizing toothpaste ingredients and hydroxyapatite toothpaste benefits can help you evaluate formulations beyond just the “free-from” claim.
Should You Avoid Microplastics in Toothpaste?
Choosing toothpaste without intentionally added microplastics is reasonable for consumers who want to reduce their contribution to microplastic pollution. However, microplastics should be considered alongside a toothpaste’s overall formulation, active ingredients, effectiveness, and your individual oral-health needs, rather than used as the sole measure of whether a toothpaste is “good” or “bad.” For a broader look at other ingredients that come up in these conversations, see our guide to toothpaste ingredients to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there microplastics in toothpaste?
Are microbeads and microplastics the same?
Are microbeads banned in toothpaste?
Why were microbeads removed from toothpaste?
Does polyethylene in toothpaste mean it contains microplastics?
Are toothpaste abrasives microplastics?
How can I find microplastic-free toothpaste?
Final Thoughts
The short version is that some toothpastes used to contain plastic microbeads, mostly for polishing or appearance, and that practice has been substantially restricted in both the U.S. and EU, largely for environmental rather than oral-health reasons. In the EU, abrasive microbeads specifically have been restricted without a transitional period since October 17, 2023, while other polymer ingredients in toothpaste get a longer runway to 2027.
Most conventional toothpaste abrasives today, like silica and calcium carbonate, were never plastic to begin with. If reducing your plastic footprint matters to you, checking for a microplastic-free or microbead-free label is a reasonable step, just don’t let it substitute for checking that your toothpaste still has an effective active ingredient behind it. For a wider look at other ingredients worth understanding, see our guide to toothpaste ingredients to avoid.
Evidence Reviewed
This article was written using current regulatory information from the U.S. FDA, the European Commission, and relevant scientific literature on microplastics and microbeads in oral-care products.
References
Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015. U.S. Congress. Public Law 114-114.
https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ114/PLAW-114publ114.pdf
The Microbead-Free Waters Act, FAQs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/microbead-free-waters-act-faqs
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 of 25 September 2023 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) as regards synthetic polymer microparticles, including recitals and Entry 78. Official Journal of the European Union.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R2055
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products, implementation guidance. European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/chemicals/reach/restrictions/commission-regulation-eu-20232055-restriction-microplastics-intentionally-added-products_en
