Innovation & Research
At Glitter Eco Lovers, research and development are central to how we build clean, plastic-free beauty. Here we share insights from our ongoing R&D work and innovation projects.
Charlotte Bakke
Founder of Glitter Eco Lovers
✦ Key facts
In december 2025 Eco Lovers and Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) completed a research project advancing Clean Glam Beauty with plant-based ingredients.
Eco Lovers AS, the Norwegian company behind Glitter Eco Lovers, has completed a research pre-study with Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. The study explored how plant-based ingredients can support the development of stable, plastic-free, bioglitter-based cosmetic formulations. The findings represent a valuable step toward Clean Glam Beauty products that combine performance, colour and sustainability.
The collaboration examined how natural, renewable polymers might be used in cosmetic formulations containing biodegradable glitter, as an alternative to conventional plastic and synthetic materials.
Our mission is to make glamour sustainable. This is still early days for us, but this pre-study has given us a real breakthrough to build on. We’re excited to continue the work through further research and development. Clean beauty has come a long way, but innovation in shimmering and glitter-based makeup is still limited. That’s the space we want to help move forward.
Working with post-doctoral researcher Mathias Johansson, PhD candidate Maria Teresa Ahumada Ochoa and Prof. Anna Ström at the Division of Applied Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, the team explored selected plant-based polysaccharides and natural binders. The aim was to understand how these materials interact with biodegradable glitter and what this may mean for stability and consistency in future formulations.
Independent research from the University of Cambridge also shows that cellulose-based glitter can provide a biodegradable alternative to plastic glitter — offering proof that sustainable shimmer is possible.
Source: https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/glitter
The pre-study indicates that plant-derived polysaccharides can contribute to stable and visually appealing cosmetic systems without the use of plastic. More detailed data remains confidential while Eco Lovers and Chalmers prepare a larger R&D project. The next phase will explore scaling and early product applications based on the most promising combinations.
Eco Lovers is also entering a new phase of innovation and growth and is seeking a strategic partner to help develop the next chapter of Clean Glam Beauty.
This project was funded by the Regional Research Fund Vestfold and Telemark under the title “Research-driven pre-study on bioglitter stability with natural binders for ready-to-wear products.”
Eco Lovers develops plastic-free shimmering cosmetics designed to replace conventional microplastic-based glitter products. Through its Clean Glam Beauty Initiative, the company collaborates closely with researchers and partners to build on early research findings and shape the next generation of sustainable shimmer formulations.
To explore how plant-based ingredients can support the development of plastic-free formulations for shimmering colour cosmetics.
It demonstrates how ingredient science can help the glam segment move toward cleaner and more responsible alternatives without compromising colour or effect.
Only the main findings are shared. Formulation details remain confidential as Eco Lovers prepares for the next R&D phase.
A larger research and development project to test the most promising ingredient combinations in early product prototypes and explore commercial potential with the right strategic partner.
Eco Lovers AS is founded on the principles of People, Planet, Profit. The company collaborates with leading researchers and institutions internationally through the Clean Glam Beauty Initiative, aiming to develop sustainable glam solutions that deliver strong visual impact without plastic.
Eco Lovers is entering a new phase of innovation and growth and is seeking a strategic partner to help develop the next chapter of Clean Glam Beauty.