After getting alleged links between cosmetic makeup products and several harmful side effects on skin and body including cancer, consumers have switched to mineral cosmetics to find a more natural beauty alternative. Many of these mineral products contain mica, a glittery substance used in eyeliner, blusher, eye shadow, mascara, foundation and lipstick. Today the main source of this material comes from India, which accounts for 60% of global production. Cosmetic brand Lush, which was using mica from India in its handmade products [says] “will discontinue the use of mica in products.”
Over concerns that it is unable to guarantee that the mines which extract the mica is free from child labour, Lush has removed all traces of mica from its products.
In the hills of Jharkhand in India, huge unskilled workforce, forced into working for lower and lower price for mining mica and work is hard and dangerous. Children working risk snake and scorpion bites, and the mine often collapse. They are suffering from cuts and skin infections, as well as respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis, silicosis, and asthma.
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