Not all glitter is body-safe. Cosmetic-grade glitter must use a film substrate and colourants that are permitted for skin contact, cut to a size and edge profile that will not abrade the eye area, and supplied with the documentation a brand needs to defend its formula.
| Criterion | Cosmetic-grade | Standard craft |
|---|---|---|
| Substrate | PET film, cosmetic-approved | May be PVC / unspecified |
| Colourants | Permitted colorants (e.g., FDA 21 CFR 73; EU Annex IV) | Not evaluated for skin |
| Cut & edge | Finer, rounded where needed | Coarser, sharp edges |
| Documentation | COA, SDS, compliance statement | Often absent |
For eye-area and facial use, choose finer grades and verify the colourants against the relevant positive lists. For nail art, slightly larger flake is acceptable and gives a stronger sparkle, but the monomer and topcoat chemistry must not dissolve or cloud the film. Always validate in the actual base formulation before launch.
Q: Can I use craft glitter on the body if it looks the same?A: No. Craft glitter may use non-cosmetic colourants and sharper cuts. Only cosmetic-grade, documented glitter should touch skin or nails.
Q: Does cosmetic glitter biodegrade?A: Not automatically. "Cosmetic-grade" addresses safety, not end-of-life. If biodegradability is required, specify our cellulose-based line (article 13) which is both cosmetic-suitable and certified biodegradable.