Ingredient deep-dive
Polyester-1 (and Polyester-3 to -11): Is It a Microplastic?
Numbered polyester polymers used as film-formers and glitter substrates. Cosmetic glitter is very often polyester film, which is a microplastic by any definition.
Where it appears
- Glitter and shimmer particles
- Long-wear film-formers
- Nail polish
- Body shimmer
Regulatory status (2026)
European Union
Cosmetic glitter made from plastic film is restricted in the EU; loose plastic glitter was banned from October 2023.
United States
No federal restriction.
Cleaner alternatives
- Mica-based shimmer
- Mineral glitter
- Synthetic fluorphlogopite
Use the app
Scan any product for Polyester-1 (and Polyester-3 to -11) in 5 seconds
The MicroPlastics iOS app flags this ingredient and 24 others instantly. Paste a label into the free web ingredient checker first if you want a no-install scan.
Download on the App StorePolyester-1 (and Polyester-3 to -11), common questions
Is Polyester-1 (and Polyester-3 to -11) a microplastic?
Is Polyester-1 (and Polyester-3 to -11) banned?
What can I use instead of Polyester-1 (and Polyester-3 to -11)?
What products contain Polyester-1 (and Polyester-3 to -11)?
Related ingredients
Polyethylene
Microplastic polymer · High concern
Solid plastic polymer. The EU restricted intentionally added microplastics in rinse-off cosmetics from October 2023, including polyethylene microbeads.
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Microplastic polymer · High concern
Solid plastic polymer, often used in scrubs, mascara fibers, and exfoliants.
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Microplastic polymer · High concern
The same plastic used in bottles, here as glitter or shimmer in cosmetics.
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Microplastic polymer · High concern
Solid acrylic plastic used as a microbead filler. Banned in EU rinse-off products since 2023.
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