Using Jojoba Wax Beads is a fun way to give your products color and character. The tiny micro beads work very well in formulas that call for gentle exfoliation. Their spherical shape keeps skin safe from micro-lesions, a common side effect of using exfoliants that are too harsh for sensitive areas, like the face.
What I like most about Jojoba Wax Beads is the artistic flair they can give a product. Multiple colors can be mixed to achieve unique shades and color combinations. They look great suspended in Suspension Melt & Pour Soap, Salt Scrubs or facial masks.
Are theses beads made from wax meaning they dissolve? Far too many of these beauty beads are toxic and end up in our ecosystem wreaking havoc on wildlife. I am only interested if they’re earth friendly.
Jojoba Wax Beads are made of hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, which is a natural substance. They degrade similarly to other natural waxes like beeswax or candelilla. The following statement regarding environmental effects comes from the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for this product: “This material is readily biodegradable and unlikely to accumulate in the aquatic environment. Discharge of large quantities into the aquatic environment may kill fish and other aquatic organisms by oxygen depletion caused by rapid biodegradation.” Basically, that means that products using Wax Beads, like scrubs or body washes, shouldn’t pose a serious environmental concern, but dumping an entire tub of beads into a lake certainly could. I hope this helps clarify the nature of these ingredients a bit. As far as I know, the microbeads that are notorious for causing environmental issues are made of plastic. Since they don’t biodegrade they can seriously harm wildlife and ecosystems.