Advances in the Standards & Applied Sciences

Advances in the Standards & Applied Sciences

Standard Methods for Isolation, Identification, and Quantification of Microplastics in Personal Care and Cosmetic Products

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
fezzeh aryanasab 1
Mohsen Hajibeygi 2
1 chemistry Research Group, Chemistry and Petrochemistry Research Center, Standard Research Institute (SRI), Karaj P.O. Box 31745-139, Iran
2 Department of Organic and Polymer Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Kharazmi University, 15719-14911, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/asas.2026.560583.1089
Abstract
The increasing awareness of microplastic contamination in cosmetic and personal care products has driven the need for standardized analytical methodologies to ensure reliable data generation and international comparability. Microplastics, intentionally added as exfoliating microbeads or unintentionally introduced through packaging degradation, represent a significant pathway of primary plastic pollution into aquatic environments. However, variations in sample preparation, extraction efficiency, and analytical identification have resulted in inconsistencies among reported data.
This paper provides a comprehensive review of existing standard methods and emerging practices for the isolation, identification, and quantification of microplastics in complex cosmetic matrices. Standardized approaches developed by ISO (e.g., ISO 24187:2023), ASTM (e.g., D8332–20, D8333–20), and national authorities such as Canada and the European Union are critically evaluated. Extraction techniques, including enzymatic and oxidative digestion, solvent dissolution, and density separation, are compared with respect to their selectivity, recovery efficiency, and polymer integrity. Analytical techniques such as μ-FTIR, Raman microspectroscopy, thermal analysis, and pyrolysis–GC/MS are discussed as tools for accurate polymer identification and quantification.
The review identifies key methodological gaps: absence of product-specific validation, limited interlaboratory reproducibility, and lack of harmonized reporting units. To address these, a multi-tiered standardization framework is proposed that integrates sample pretreatment, contamination control, and traceability requirements across laboratories. Such harmonization would enable consistent regulatory monitoring, support cosmetic industry compliance, and contribute to global efforts to mitigate microplastic emissions at the source.
Keywords
Microplastics
Standard Methods
Personal Care and Cosmetic Products
Subjects
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Advances in the Standards & Applied Sciences
Volume 3, Issue 4
Summer 2025
Pages 135-142