Over the past few years, microplastics have moved from being an environmental concern to an urgent human health conversation. The latest Global Wellness Institute research shows that microplastics are no longer staying “out there” in oceans, landfills, or waterways — they are entering our bodies, accumulating in vital organs, and silently affecting our wellbeing.
As a clean, botanical self-care brand, Liv Metta is deeply committed to understanding these emerging wellness threats, so we can protect the women and families who trust our products every day.
This article breaks down what you need to know about microplastics, where they hide, how they impact the body, and how you can reduce your exposure through intentional, microplastic-free self-care.
What Exactly Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size. They come from two sources:
1. Intentionally added microplastics
Found in some beauty and personal-care products, including:
• microbeads
• acrylic powders
• nylon powders
• plastic glitter
• polyacrylate thickeners
2. Secondary microplastics
These come from the breakdown of everyday items:
• water bottles
• packaging
• synthetic clothing
• household dust
• kitchen plastics
• tires
• textiles
Because they are microscopic, they easily travel through air, water, soil — and our bodies.
Where Microplastics Are Found Inside the Human Body
Recent research has detected microplastics in places scientists once thought impossible:
✔ Bloodstream
✔ Lung tissue
✔ Arterial plaque
✔ Breast milk
✔ Semen
✔ Placenta (100% of samples tested contained microplastics)
✔ Liver and kidneys
✔ Heart tissue
✔ The human brain
One of the most alarming findings: individuals with dementia had 3–5 times higher levels of microplastics in their brain tissue.
This confirms that microplastics are not just an environmental issue — they are a human biological issue, affecting wellbeing across all ages, including infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.
How Microplastics Enter the Human Body
The Global Wellness Institute report highlights three major pathways:
1️⃣ Ingestion
• plastic-contaminated water
• food packaged in plastic
• produce exposed to microplastic-contaminated soil
• seafood
• tea bags made of plastics
• kitchen utensils that shed particles
2️⃣ Inhalation
Microplastic fibers from:
• carpets
• bedding
• synthetic clothing
• indoor dust
• dryers
• home textiles
Indoor air is now considered one of the largest sources of inhaled microplastics.
3️⃣ Skin Absorption
Many personal-care products contain microplastics, which may enter the skin through:
• hair follicles
• pores
• daily long-term use
• inhalation of product dust (e.g., powders)
Children are especially vulnerable because of higher exposure from dust and plastic toys.
What Microplastics Do Inside the Body
Once microplastics enter the bloodstream, they travel to organs and accumulate over time. Their effects include:
• Inflammation
Particles irritate tissues, similar to air pollution.
• Oxidative Stress
This can accelerate skin aging, cellular damage, and chronic illness risk.
• Endocrine Disruption
Some plastics mimic hormones, affecting fertility and metabolism.
• Cardiovascular Risk
Microplastics were found embedded in arterial plaque.
• Gut Imbalance / Digestive Issues
They disrupt the gut–brain axis, affecting mood and immunity.
• Neurological Concerns
Microplastics cross the blood–brain barrier and may impact cognitive function.
Scientists believe the long-term effects may take years to fully understand — but the evidence we have now is enough to take precautionary action.
Where Microplastics Hide in Beauty & Self-Care Products
Many conventional beauty products contain hidden microplastics, often disguised under confusing chemical names such as:
❌ Polyethylene
❌ Polypropylene
❌ Nylon-12
❌ PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
❌ PET
❌ Polyacrylates
❌ Styrene/Acrylates Copolymers
❌ Synthetic glitter
❌ Silicone microplastics
These ingredients appear in:
• exfoliating scrubs
• cleansers
• lotions
• body butters
• masks
• hair products
• makeup
• sunscreen
• deodorants
They don’t biodegrade. They don’t dissolve.
They accumulate — in waterways, in soil, and potentially inside our bodies.
🌿 Why Liv Metta Is Proudly Microplastic-Free
At Liv Metta, we never use synthetic microplastics or plastic-derived ingredients — not because it’s trendy, but because we believe in protecting your long-term health.
Our formulations contain only:
✔ botanical oils
✔ unrefined butters
✔ plant extracts
✔ essential oils
✔ clays
✔ herbs
✔ fruit powders
✔ natural exfoliants (rice, oats, papaya)
✔ magnesium salts
You will never find in Liv Metta:
❌ microbeads
❌ acrylic polymers
❌ nylon powders
❌ PET fillers
❌ plastic glitter
❌ synthetic exfoliants
❌ silicone microplastics
❌ polyacrylate thickeners
Your skin is your largest organ. What you put on it should nourish you, not introduce microplastics into your body.
✨ How to Reduce Your Daily Microplastic Exposure
Here are simple steps that make a big difference:
In your home:
• Choose natural fibers (cotton, linen, wool)
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
• Ventilate your home often
• Minimize synthetic carpets & upholstery
In your kitchen:
• Avoid heating food in plastic
• Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel
• Replace old plastic containers
• Use wooden or steel utensils
In your beauty routine:
• Choose products without “poly-,” “acryl-,” “nylon,” or “PMMA” on the label
• Avoid synthetic glitter
• Choose natural exfoliants
• Choose brands that are transparent about formulations
In your laundry:
• Wash synthetic clothes less often
• Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag or filter
• Air-dry when possible
Every small change reduces your personal exposure and contributes to a healthier planet.
💛 Final Thoughts: Wellness Begins with Awareness
The microplastics crisis is bigger than any single industry — but every choice we make matters. As new research reveals just how deeply microplastics impact our health, clean formulation becomes not just a preference, but a responsibility.
At Liv Metta, we’re proud to craft microplastic-free, botanical, vegan products that honour your wellbeing — inside and out.
Your self-care should never compromise your health.
Wellness begins with intention.
Wellness begins with awareness.
Wellness begins with you.