Mica is often a controversial ingredient due to myths about its linking to child labour in India. While this is unfortunately true in some cases, one Australian brand is clearing the myths and turning their mica trade into humanitarian aid.
Lycon Cosmetics use ‘micro mica’ in many of their waxing products. It is a popular ingredient that creates a shimmer effect in waxing products and adds to the gentle performance of the product. Lately, there’s been rising awareness into the mica trade and controversy has brewed surrounding the use of child labour in mica mines. Lycon cosmetic chemist Adam Powell is skeptical of the ‘mica controversy’ for its failure to communicate where this ‘unethical’ mica goes. “Most of this cheap mica ends up in cheap Asian cosmetics – usually whitening products, and probably goes into metallic paint as well.”
The controversy around mica has affected all brands in the beauty industry that uses the ingredient. “These things are often propagated by companies for self interest reasons, which we find unethical as a whole as it slanders the whole beauty industry, when something is actually unfounded, disproved or grossly incorrect about some ingredient,” said Lydia Jordane, CEO of Lycon.
Lycon has gone to great lengths to ensure their mica trade is completely ethical and a sustainable practice for the local community.
Lycon’s Indian supplier (who will remain anonymous for commercial reasons) strongly oppose child labour and adhere to strict policies to guarantee all supplied pigments are 100 per cent child labour free. “For the last few years our suppliers have been engaged in setting up and financing schools, vocational training centres and a medical centre. They also provide the children with tuition, meals and school supplies,” said Lydia.
Proud of her supplier’s efforts in supplying children with access to precious education and training, Lydia visited the schools recently and did volunteer work at a children’s shelter that was home to 85 children.
“We extend our thanks and gratitude to our supplier of mica in having such high ethics and the amount of work and expense they put in to help reduce child labour in India.”
For more information visit http://lycon.com.au/