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Mica is widely used in cosmetics for shimmer—not safety
Mica is added to makeup and personal care products purely for its reflective, light-catching properties. It does not improve skin health or product performance beyond appearance.
A large share of natural mica comes from informal mining in India.
Much of the world’s mica supply is sourced from regions where mining is unregulated, making traceability difficult and oversight weak across the supply chain.
Mica itself is safe—but its sourcing often isn’t.
While mica poses no harm when applied to the skin, its extraction has been repeatedly linked to unsafe working conditions, child labour, and exploitative systems where accountability is minimal.
Beauty should never depend on invisible harm.
Why mica matters
Mica is a mineral widely used in beauty and personal care products to create shimmer and glow. What is rarely visible, however, is the human cost behind it.
A significant portion of the world’s mica supply comes from informal mines, particularly in parts of India, where mining is often unregulated. In these regions, mica extraction has long been linked to child labour, unsafe working conditions, and exploitative supply chains. Children are involved because the work is low-paid, dangerous, and hidden from formal oversight
A significant portion of the world’s mica supply comes from informal mines, particularly in parts of India, where mining is often unregulated. In these regions, mica extraction has long been linked to child labour, unsafe working conditions, and exploitative supply chains. Children are involved because the work is low-paid, dangerous, and hidden from formal oversight
While mica itself is not harmful to the skin, the systems that source it often cause harm to people.
Ethical alternatives exist—such as synthetic mica or responsibly audited supply chains—but transparency is not yet the industry norm. This makes it difficult for consumers to distinguish between responsibly sourced mica and mica that may be connected to human rights violations.
Ethical alternatives exist—such as synthetic mica or responsibly audited supply chains—but transparency is not yet the industry norm. This makes it difficult for consumers to distinguish between responsibly sourced mica and mica that may be connected to human rights violations.
At Tattva, we highlight and categorise brands based on the information they publicly disclose—so consumers can make informed choices, truthfully and transparently.
Because ethics aren’t about appearances. They’re about truth—as it is.
Because ethics aren’t about appearances. They’re about truth—as it is.
