Anti-Aging In An Odd Way

Okay, so, I've been trying to discard things I don't need or want any longer. You'd think I'd be out of all the things I want to get rid of, but, well, a lifetime of accumulation apparently takes another lifetime to disperse. So, I find myself seriously considering discarding, disposing, gifting, or recycling anything that causes me to pause, thinking that maybe I don't like it.

After my trip to Phoenix, I pulled out all my toiletries with the intent of using up the ones I don't use frequently, having less to cart around with me. One of the things I started using again was the Peter Thomas Roth anti-aging buffing beads liquid soap thingie that I've had for years now. I bought it on the recommendation of a friend who had just started using it (which frustrated me, as I had asked for advice on face treatments, thinking I'd receive recommendations for products that she had been using for years, not for two weeks), and never quite liked it. I couldn't quite figure out why until this week, when I realized the connection between this product, and my face breaking out.

So, here are two very big reasons for not ever using the Peter Thomas Roth anti-aging buffing beads product ever again, and I'm tempted to burn the remaining stuff I have:

1. The micro-beads wreak havoc in biological micro-systems

The beads don't degrade, they go into the sewer and waterways, where they are consumed by small micro-organisms, which are eaten by slightly larger ones, which are eaten by slightly larger ones, etc. From Clean Water Action,

Microbeads pollute inland and ocean waters and marine life. Microbeads are pervasive in waterways, annually contributing 38 tons of plastic microbead pollution to California’s environment each year. Microbeads used as exfoliants go down the drain. They are not completely removed by wastewater treatment, and can get discharged into waterways.1 These microbeads are found in all oceanic gyres, bays, gulfs and seas worldwide, as well as inland waterways.2 Plastic microbeads absorb persistent organic pollutants (long-lasting toxic chemicals like DDT, PCBs, PAHs, and flame-retardants) and other industrial chemicals that move up the food chain when the toxic-coated beads are consumed by fish and other marine organisms.

2. The micro-beads get caught in pores, causing bumps, inflammation, and pimples.

This kinda defeats the whole purpose of a cleanser, causing skin problems, but, hey, it gives you teen-ager skin! True anti-aging.

Anyway, after another three zits, I made the connection between this "cleanser" and my face breaking out, and pitched this.

Good riddance.