CIDESCO, the world standard for beauty and spa therapy, calls on its global membership to help protect the environment and health of the planet by advising their schools, students, and makeup artists to only use glitter made from non-plastic alternatives during their makeup courses and general makeup artistry. With many students doing makeup skill training using the CIDESCO syllabus and examination, this is an important move to ensure change happens in the industry.

Standard glitter that is used for dramatic and costume makeup designs is made from etched aluminum that is bonded to a form of micro-plastic called polyethylene terephthalate. Micro-plastics such as these, when thrown away, are an ecological hazard, particularly in the oceans, causing harm to marine life and often ending up in the stomachs of fish and birds. It is not only marine life that is of concern, as studies have shown that fish consumption of micro-plastics results in toxins further up the food chain.

With the ban of microbeads taking shape, CIDESCO believes it is now time for authorities and brands in the beauty industry to take note of plastic-bonded glitters and act quickly to ban its use. Commenting on the issue, CIDESCO’s President, Anna-Cari Gund says, “As a worldwide organization with a large number of members and students, we know that we can make a difference to our environment. It is in our best interests to reduce plastic pollution as much as we can. Our appeal extends beyond our organization as we ask people to reconsider and reeducate themselves on the products that they are using.”