Why we consciously choose to leave it out at BIRKENSPANNER
Glitter should be fun, but not at the expense of your skin, the environment, or transparency. That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look at the ingredients. Be honest: How often do you really check the ingredients when buying cosmetics? A few years ago, the word “aluminum-free” was everywhere in everyday life. Since then, a genuine trend toward conscious personal care has become established.
What is aluminum, and why is it used in cosmetics?
What does aluminum do in our cosmetics, and why is avoiding it about far more than just a short-lived fashion trend? It’s time to take a look behind the scenes of your bathroom cabinet. In addition to deodorants, where aluminum salts are used to combat sweating, aluminum is also often used as a color pigment or stabilizer in some lipsticks, toothpastes, and sunscreens.
Is aluminum in cosmetics dangerous?
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the intake of a maximum of 1 milligram of aluminum per kilogram of body weight per week is tolerable. For a person weighing 60 kg, this corresponds to approximately 0.06 grams per week. Consistently high aluminum intake from various sources may be relevant to health.
Why we consciously avoid aluminum in our ingredients at BIRKENSPANNER
We want to develop products that are enjoyable, feel good, and fit with a conscious lifestyle. That’s why at BIRKENSPANNER we focus on transparent formulations and ingredients that align with our understanding of skin- and environmentally friendly cosmetics. Our products sparkle without relying on classic problematic ingredients such as microplastics or unnecessary aluminum-containing additives (in accordance with EU Regulation 2023/2055).
Aluminum-free, plastic-free, and biodegradable—our standard for modern glitter
Aluminum can occur in glitter products or color pigments, but we do not need it for our glitter effects. Instead, we use our specific plant- and mineral-based composition.
For our Bioglitter, we use plant-based cellulose from sustainable eucalyptus plantations in Europe, mineral color components, and natural binders. The cellulose forms the basis of our glitter and provides its smooth, reflective surface. Our goal is not simply to produce glitter. Our goal is to offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional glitter.
This means choosing cosmetics formulated more consciously and better suited to a mindful approach to your skin and the environment.
What to look for when buying cosmetic glitter
If you want to buy more consciously sustainable cosmetics, it’s worth looking at the details. Especially with glitter products, you should pay attention not only to the color, effect, and sparkle, but also to the composition.
Check whether the glitter is plastic-free. Find out whether the manufacturer transparently explains which raw materials are used. Look for information about biodegradability, the origin of the ingredients, and application to the skin. And if aluminum-free cosmetics are important to you, check whether the manufacturer clearly states this.
Avoiding aluminum in cosmetics is a simple step toward greater mindfulness in everyday life. Give it a try and do something good for your body. Your skin will thank you!
Want to know which glitter suits you? Take a look at our Bioglitter collections.
Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls and also the most common organic compound in the world. What gives plants stability forms the basis of our biodegradable glitter. We use cellulose from eucalyptus for this purpose. It produces the transparent material from which our glitter is later made.
For the various vibrant colors of our Bioglitter, we use natural and synthetic minerals and pigments, process them into powder, and mix them with resin before applying them to the cellulose film.
To avoid using synthetic adhesives, we currently use shellac—a natural resin. Shellac is not always vegan yet. But stay tuned: very soon, all our Bio Glitters will be vegan thanks to a new formula.