THE GREEN GUIDE: How sustainable is your bathroom cabinet? Alice Robertson challenges beauty’s eco credentials
WHAT’S THE STORY?
Barry M long ago renounced the use of aluminium and environmentally unsound PET plastic in its body glitters.
Now sustainably sourced plant cellulose is used instead.
WHY SHOULD I BUY?
Crucially, the plant cellulose dissolves in water. The range is super affordable, comes in nine shades – and a little goes a long way.
WHY SHOULDN’T I BUY?
There’s no such thing as ‘good’ glitter – and as Barry M concedes, its cellulose-based range does contain a small amount of microplastic that doesn’t biodegrade.
A study of glitter’s impact on freshwater habitats conducted by Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) found that all varieties have a negative effect on the base of the food chain, leading to an increase in abundance of New Zealand mud snails, an invasive species in the UK.
It’s also a major cause of soil and air pollution.
There’s no such thing as ‘good’ glitter – and as Barry M concedes, its cellulose-based range does contain a small amount of microplastic that doesn’t biodegrade. Biodegradable Glitter £4.49, barrym.com
THE EXTRA MILE
Barry M has discontinued the use of mirrors in palettes so that these can be recycled, and uses recyclable packaging, including bubble wrap.
MADE IN
Germany.
MADE FROM
Cellulose from FSC wood pulp, organic cosmetic pigment and thermoplastic.
JOURNEY
By road and sea.
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