If you live near or have visited our Westport location, you may know mica as the beautiful, flaky mineral that makes the forest floors sparkle under sunlight. Eastern Ontario was once one of the world’s leading suppliers of mica, and traces of it can be found everywhere in the area.
But why is it found in certain skincare and cosmetic products?
Though it’s widely regarded as a non-toxic ingredient, you won’t find it in any Lake+Main products. Read along, and we’ll answer all of your questions about mica in cosmetics.
Why is Mica Commonly Used in Cosmetics?
Mica is a silicate mineral known for its soft texture and shimmer. It’s mined all over the world, and used for a variety of purposes. You can find mica in drywall, paint, plastic, and cosmetics—especially shiny, powdered products like eye shadow, highlighters, and tinted skincare.
One of the major appeals of mica is that it is cheap and easily available. But there is a troubling reason why this product is so cost-effective.
The Dark Side of Mica: Ethical Concerns
More than half of the high-quality mica used in cosmetics is mined in India, and many of these mines have been known to use child labour. A study conducted in 2018 estimated that around 22,000 children in Eastern India work in mica mines. The working conditions are often dangerous, leaving workers exposed to long and short term health risks.
Since the early 2020s, many beauty companies have pivoted to alternative mica sources. However, it seems that many large cosmetic companies still source their mica in unethical, or at least sketchy, ways. This has made it difficult for consumers to determine if the mica in their products was sourced ethically or not.
Check out this great article by Chatelaine to see which brands purchase mica and other ingredients from ethical suppliers. Some sustainable beauty companies (like Lush use lab-made, synthetic mica. Others (like Lake+Main) have opted to forgo mica altogether, using natural alternatives instead.
Environmental Impact of Mica Mining
As if the use of child labour isn’t enough to give up on an ingredient, there are also serious environmental concerns that mica mining poses.
Like many large-scale mining operations, mica mining often involves heavy clear-cutting and deforestation. This process strips the land of natural ecosystems, and can cause severe soil erosion.
Not to mention, much of the machinery and chemicals used in these mining operations leave toxic substances in nearby water supplies, posing a health risk to local communities and wildlife.
Our Alternative: Natural, Ethical Colourants
As the natural skincare movement has grown, many beauty companies avoid unethically sourced ingredients. When we started developing products for Lake+Main, we did our research, and we had heard more than enough to pursue alternative, natural colourants.
Fortunately, we happen to think that natural colourants are the superior option. Here are some of our favourites:
- Beetroot powder has been used since Roman times. It’s high in antioxidants, vitamins, iron and magnesium, and it’s an amazing natural colourant. We use it in our Passion lip oil for a rosy tint.
- Kaolin clay, like many natural inactive ingredients, also delivers its own unique skincare benefits. We use it in our REFINED clay face mask to soothe sensitive skin and clear clogged pores.
- Spirulina powder is known for its electric blue or green colouring, and can be found in vegetarian food products and skincare. We use it to colour our bar soaps, and because its known to prevent breakouts and decrease inflammation.
A Commitment to Ethical Beauty
We’re an ingredient-focused company, supported by a community of consumers who read their labels as well as the news. It’s important for us to have a strong understanding of where each ingredient comes from, and what purpose it serves our customers.
Environmental and ethical considerations are a big part of how we choose our ingredients. For us, ethical and sustainable beauty is about creating skincare products that you can trust.
