Is it true that fabric masks harm the environment?

Marie Claire Ukraine by Victoria Wakiv

Are we ready to sacrifice our beauty to save the planet?

Instagram is literally flooded with selfie girls and guys with fabric masks on their faces. We ourselves have long forgotten how this beauty attribute from a curiosity turned into an ordinary thing. 

Alas, our love for this simple, convenient and affordable means of instant transformation is overshadowed by one unpleasant fact - fabric masks pose a threat to the environment. 

Wet wipes, plastic straws and fabric masks are not as easy to dispose of as they might seem at first glance.

Susan Stevens, founder and CEO of the global brand platform Made With Respect promoting sustainable brands, spoke about the threat these masks pose:

"They are designed for single use, after which they must be discarded, i.e. create unnecessary waste. Masks are usually stored in packages, and in some cases they are paired with a plastic protective film. If a fabric mask is made using a synthetic material such as nylon, it cannot be composted."

Waste either ends up in a landfill where toxic chemicals from the masks can leak into the soil and produce methane, contributing to global warming, or as Susan explains, “small toxic pieces of microplastic get into our food chain: the water we drink, the air we use breathing. "

By 2025, the face mask market is expected to grow to more than $ 50 billion. Therefore, it is especially important for us to remember their significant impact on the environment and the health of our planet.

What to do for those who are crazy about fabric masks? Who tirelessly likes Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga and Chrissy Teigen, who often share their masked photos on Instagram? 

Let's first understand what fabric masks are. Usually they consist of a sheet soaked in concentrated serum intended for moisturizing and nourishing. The serum has a watery consistency to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, and the function of the leaf is to prevent the evaporation of the ingredients before they have the desired effect. The results, as a rule, exceed all our expectations when it comes to moisturizing in a short period of time.

What is the solution? There are many biodegradable alternatives, so we advise you to conduct a thorough research and find products that will benefit not only you, but also the environment.