Traditional, non-biodegradable glitter is a microplastic. It’s really bad for the environment and has now been banned from loads of festivals, including Glastonbury. There’s even a petition to ban it nationally.
The festival ban applies to glitter sold on-site, so security won’t be searching your bags for the stuff, but if you’re bringing your own make sure it’s biodegradable.
Most glitter sold in shops is plastic coated with aluminium and will remain in the fields and environment without breaking down, posing a danger to wildlife. It’s also important you buy cosmetic glitter, as glitter meant for arts and crafts will have sharp edges which can damage your skin and injure your eyes.
The good news is that biodegradable glitter has come a long way and you genuinely cannot tell the difference. Here are our top picks.
Moon Glitter Biodegradable Eco Glitter Shakers
Available as either chunky glitter or fine glitter, these biodegradable glitter sets from Moon Glitter are mostly made from Eucalyptus plants. The glitter is biodegradable in both marine and soil environments, Compost Home certified, and independently tested to conform to the ISO14851 standard for freshwater biodegradability. It’s also totally cruelty-free, vegan, and hasn’t been tested on animals. A tube of Moon Glitter Fix Gel is included with each set, and it has a silky feel that is much softer on the skin than traditional plastic glitter.
- Made from Eucalyptus plants: Mostly plant-based and biodegradable in both marine and soil environments.
- Fix Gel included: Comes with a tube of Moon Glitter Fix Gel for easy, comfortable application to face and body.
- ISO14851 certified: Independently tested for freshwater biodegradability to the highest standard.
- Cruelty-free and vegan: Not tested on animals and suitable for vegans.
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EcoStardust Biodegradable Glitter
EcoStardust are an approved retailer of Bioglitter PURE from Ronald Britton, the company that owns the trademark for Bioglitter and has sold it since 2014. Their PURE product is certified to meet EU standards for being microplastic-free and decomposes like a leaf in the natural environment to leave no trace. EcoStardust sell their sets in a range of festival-ready colour combinations and they have a solid presence on Amazon UK.
- Bioglitter PURE certified: Made by an approved supplier of Ronald Britton's original Bioglitter, the gold standard for biodegradable glitter.
- Microplastic-free: Certified to EU standards and breaks down safely in the natural environment.
- Cosmetic grade: Completely safe for face, body, hair and nails, with no sharp edges unlike craft glitter.
- Cruelty-free and vegan: No animal testing and fully plant-based materials.
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Barry M Biodegradable Body Glitter
If you’d rather pick something up on the high street today rather than ordering online, Barry M’s biodegradable body glitter is widely available in Superdrug and Boots. It is made from sustainably sourced plant cellulose that biodegrades naturally in fresh water, and it is cruelty-free. A familiar, trustworthy brand that does exactly what it says. Great if you’ve left it until the last minute before a festival.
- Available in Boots and Superdrug: A great option if you want to pick up biodegradable glitter on the high street today.
- Plant cellulose film: Sustainably sourced material that biodegrades naturally in fresh water.
- Trusted brand: Barry M is a well-known cruelty-free, vegan cosmetics brand widely stocked across the UK.
- Perfect for festivals: Apply with Barry M Glitter Fixer Gel for long-lasting face and body coverage.
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Where else to find biodegradable festival glitter
festivalglitter.co.uk is the UK’s biggest dedicated biodegradable festival glitter website, with hundreds of options covering fine glitter, chunky glitter, face jewels, UV glitter, and full festival kits. It is the best place to browse if you want a huge range of colours and styles in one place, and they offer free UK delivery over £20.
Hobbycraft now stocks biodegradable glitter in store, which is worth knowing if you want to pick something up today before heading off. Quality varies by product so check the label for the Bioglitter PURE certification if eco credentials matter to you.
eBay has a massive range of biodegradable glitter at very low prices, including huge bags for just a few pounds if you are going with a group. You’ll need to check the eco credentials of each seller yourself, but searching for “biodegradable cosmetic glitter” rather than just “biodegradable glitter” will filter out craft glitter with sharp edges that is not safe for skin.
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