These tiny pieces of plastic have been used in lots of personal care products from haircare to cosmetics, baby products and skin care. They give products texture and can also be used as an exfoliant.
The reason they're so harmful is that when they're washed down the drain, they're a persistent polluter in our seas and can also be consumed by sea life.
Microbeads have already been banned in the US and several other countries are underway with the process. Many companies are also voluntarily phasing them out.
It's great that the New Zealand government has introduced a ban that will come into effect in May 2018, but we encourage everyone to choose microbead-free products now to make our oceans healthier.
We're really glad that people can make this choice when they buy from us.