The Moment I Looked Closer at My Glitter Makeup

I love getting dressed up for any occasion. Whether it’s a summer BBQ party, birthdays or festive dinners with friends. I love a pretty pink summer dress and a bit of sparkly eyeshadow. It feels so much fun (and normally I’m a bit overdressed, oh well!).

But after one night out with my friends, that joy faded. I woke up with red, itchy and irritated eyes. Which lasted for days. I thought I was just tired, but I knew there was something more to it.

Out of curiosity, I checked the ingredients in the sparkly eyeshadow I’d worn. At first, the ingredient list looked like another language. But after copying it into an online ingredient checker (I share a few later), I was shocked. Though not entirely surprised. The makeup product contained microplastics, heavy metals, irritants, and synthetic dyes.

That’s when I realised the irritation was only the surface of the problem.

As I kept researching, the idea for this blog post formed. This isn’t just about my skin. It’s about what we absorb through our bodies. What gets washed down our sinks, and what ends up in waterways, animals, and ecosystems. This post is about understanding what we’re using. Choosing sparkle that supports our health, our families, animals, and the planet.

What’s Happening – Microplastics in Makeup Are Infiltrating Everything

Microplastics are found everywhere. From the top of Mt Everest to the seafloor. They’re found in our water, food, and air, and in every living thing.

That doesn’t mean we should panic. It means we should be mindful. We won’t eliminate our exposure completely. But we can reduce it by paying attention to what we use, wear, eat, and bring into our homes.

What Glitter Is Made Of

Most cosmetic glitter is made from PP, PE & PET plastic. Which is the same material used in food packaging and drink bottles. These plastics are then coated in heavy metals and other chemicals to create the shine we all know and love.

These materials are very durable. So, they don’t biodegrade, and when they break down they simply form smaller microplastics. Even the products labelled as “cosmetic grade” aren’t designed with long-term human, animal or environmental health in mind. They are just designed to look good and last a good night dancing.

How Microplastics in Makeup Enter the Body

Your skin is a very selective organ, but it isn’t a sealed barrier. When microplastics are applied through makeup, especially in leave-on products, they can penetrate into deeper skin layers.

Products like foundation, eyeshadow, highlighter, sunscreen, and moisturiser, pose the highest risk because they sit on the skin for hours. Wash-off products such as face wash and scrubs are low risk.

When we have repeated use of this leave on products. This allows the microplastics and the chemicals hitchhiking to accumulate over time.

Microplastics have now been found in blood, the placenta, and breast milk. Which shows how they can move throughout our bodies. They can also damage your skins health. Contributing to inflammation, oxidative stress and premature aging of the skin.

Where Glitter Goes After the Party

After you have double-cleansed your sparkly makeup off at night, the glitter doesn’t disappear. Those tiny plastic particles travel down drains, through wastewater systems, and into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Because most filtration systems can’t capture particles this small, microplastics persist in the environment. Over time, chemicals leach from the plastic as it breaks down into even smaller pieces.

Why This Matters for Women, Babies, and Animals

Women’s Hormones and Reproductive Health

Microplastics are rarely just plastic. They often carry added chemicals such as phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can interfere with hormones by mimicking natural estrogen.

When the body receives this false hormonal signal, it may reduce its own estrogen production. Over time, this disruption can affect fertility, and reproductive function. Including egg development and preparation of the uterine lining.

This doesn’t mean using glitter once causes harm. The concern lies in cumulative exposure from repeated use alongside the many other sources of microplastics in modern life.

Pregnancy, Babies, and Children

The placenta is not an impenetrable barrier. Research shows that microplastics can cross into placental tissue, meaning exposure during pregnancy may affect the developing baby.

Although timing matters. According to this study exposure during different trimesters may influence birth weight, immune development, and long-term health outcomes.

Babies and children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing. Reducing unnecessary exposure where possible is a simple and protective step to protect future generations.

Don’t panic. Using glitter once won’t cause harm. The concern comes from repeated use combined with all the other sources of microplastics in our daily lives. That’s why it’s important to understand how these tiny particles can affect you.

Animal Health and the Food Chain

In the wild, glitter and microplastics are often mistaken for food. Fish, seabirds, and marine mammals ingest these particles. Which can cause behaviour changes, internal injuries, and a dangerous condition called false satiation. Where animals feel full while actually starving.

Microplastics also bioaccumulate up the food chain. Small animals ingest plastic, larger predators eat them, and concentrations increase at each level. Which eventually affects top predators and humans. Like us, other animals experience hormone disruption and reduced reproductive success. This creates another risk to already endangered species.

How to Sparkle Without the Harm

Choose Safer Glitter and Shimmer

The good news is that beautiful alternatives for our sparkly makeup exist. Look for plant-based, biodegradable glitter made from materials like eucalyptus cellulose. These options give the sparkle without leaving plastic behind.

If you choose makeup with a mineral-based shimmer like mica. Make sure it is ethically sourced. Because mica mining in parts of India and Madagascar has been linked to child labour and environmental damage.

When you are shopping, have a look for:

• 100% plastic-free formulas
• Plant-based glitter
• TÜV OK Biodegradable WATER certification
• Bioglitter™ PURE (identifiable by its hexagonal shape)

Brands prioritising human, animal and environmental health:

Aleph Beauty– I have been using Aleph for 5 years now. They have glass and aluminium packaging. Also holding a zero plastic inside certification.

Antipodes– BCorp Certified, microplastic-free and have 93% of their packaging plastic-free.

Moon Shatter– For beautiful, vibrant glitter, perfect for parties or festivals. I love the Candy Cane colour!!!

Axiology– A brand that wants makeup to be safe for the people wearing it, making it, animals and the environment!

Shop and Use Products More Mindfully

Before buying a new makeup products, research the brands and ingredients.

These are some helpful tools:

Beautypedia Skin Care Ingredient Checker– This shows if a product is effective and safe. Or if it’s just a trend.

Incidecoder– This is very helpful for understanding the ingredients in your products.

SkinSAFE– This helps you find products that are free of allergens.

CosDNA– This rates every ingredient in your product. Based on function, acne potential and irritation.

Clearya– This is a browser extension or an app. This works automatically when you are online shopping at stores like Sephora or Target. This will alert you to any “ingredients of concern”.

Progress matters more than perfection. Use what you already own responsibly, avoid washing glitter down the sink, and make better choices as products run out.

Small Actions That Create Ripple Effects

Change doesn’t have to be drastic. Switching one product at a time. Sharing what you’ve learned with friends and family, and modelling mindful choices for children all create meaningful ripple effects.

Every product we buy is a quiet vote for the kind of world we want.

If you’re interested in reducing plastic exposure beyond makeup. Check out my post on how to create a plastic‑free bathroom with simple swaps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Microplastics in Makeup

1. What are glitter makeup microplastics?
Glitter makeup microplastics are tiny plastic particles used in shimmer and glitter cosmetics to create sparkle and long-lasting shine.

2. Are microplastics in glitter makeup harmful?
Repeated exposure may contribute to skin irritation, hormone disruption, and long-term health effects. Occasional use is unlikely to cause immediate harm.

3. Can microplastics from glitter makeup enter the body?
Yes. Leave-on products like eyeshadow, foundation, highlighter, and sunscreen can allow microplastics and their chemical additives to penetrate the skin. Microplastics have even been found in blood, placentas, and breast milk.

4. How does glitter makeup affect the environment?
When washed off, microplastics from makeup enter waterways. They accumulate in aquatic animals, disrupt ecosystems, and can move up the food chain, eventually impacting humans.

5. How can I avoid harmful glitter makeup?

• Look for plant-based, biodegradable glitter (e.g., eucalyptus cellulose).
• Check for certifications like TÜV OK Biodegradable WATER or Bioglitter™ PURE.
• Choose ethically sourced mica if using mineral shimmer.
• Use leave-on products mindfully and dispose of microplastic glitter in the bin, not down the sink.

6. Are biodegradable glitter products safe?
Many plant-based biodegradable glitters are safe when verified by proper certifications. But it’s important to confirm the brand meets environmental and ethical standards.

Your Sparkle, Your Values

I believe that even though we can’t avoid all microplastics in modern life. But we do have control over what we bring into our homes.

By choosing safer shimmer, we protect our health and our family’s health while reducing harm to animals and the environment. You can still have fun getting ready with the girls and being overdressed (like me hehe). The difference is that what you put on your skin can now better align with your values.

Small, informed choices add up. Thank you for taking the time to learn and be part of creating a healthier future. For you, your babies, animals, and the planet.

Have a lovely rest of your day,

Georgia xoxo