Mica – the dark secret of the beauty industry
Posted by Claudia Sa on
It might well be the darkest secret of the beauty industry: mica.
Mica, the little shimmering particles that are in everything from eyeshadows to highlighters, from bronzers to make-up, to day cream and sunscreen.
Mica is the reason products give that sparkle, and that glow. It gives glamour – but the way in which mica is mined often has a cruel side that remains invisible. It is mined with child labour in India, where children as young as 4 years work in mines that are barely secured caves and tunnels, dangerous and narrow and often deadly.
So what is sustainable mica? Mica that is not mined using child labour. Since the distribution chain is often obscure, it is difficult to determine if child labor has been involved. So some companies started using synthetic mica – which is one way.
Working with organisations that promote responsible sourcing practices on the mining sites is another – one that also improves living conditions in the mining areas: by helping the families so that the children don’t have to mine for mica. And by ensuring that they can go to school.
It is a very important issue for me. All the brands at Radiant Beauty use sustainable mica in their products. And all future brands that I will introduce, will also be made with sustainable mica. And not only mica, but sustainable ingredients in general. This has been the case since the beginning of Radiant Beauty Shop.