Plastic isn’t just wrapped around our food or sitting in landfill anymore - it’s in us.

Recent studies have found microplastics in our blood, lungs, and even the human brain. One estimate suggests we could each be carrying up to a teaspoon of plastic inside our bodies. These tiny particles are small enough to cross biological barriers, travelling from our food or airways into our bloodstream and even into our cells. Once there, they may quietly influence the systems that keep us well, from gut health to brain function.

What Microplastics Can Do

Lab studies show that microplastics can shift the balance of our gut microbes, affecting the chemicals they produce. Some of these changes resemble patterns linked to depression or colorectal cancer. Other research has found:

  • Plastic particles in the brains of dementia patients

  • Plastic in arterial plaques linked to heart disease (increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke)

  • Behavioural changes in animals exposed to microplastics, mirroring patterns seen in ageing and neurodegeneration

It’s early research, but one thing is clear: plastics move through our bodies, interact with our cells, and are not inert.

A Surprising Source: Bottled Water

One fact that really caught my attention: bottled water can contain smaller microplastic particles than tap water, which may make them more likely to slip into our system. Even if the total particle count is similar, their size matters. Personally, I mostly drink tap — partly for cost and partly to avoid plastic bottles — but I always assumed it was worse for my health. Adding a simple filter to your tap water is a smart move too, helping reduce microplastics even further while keeping hydration sustainable.

How to Reduce Your Exposure

While avoiding microplastics entirely is impossible, you can dramatically lower your exposure through small, consistent choices:

In the Kitchen

  • Store and reheat food in glass or stainless steel, not plastic

  • Swap plastic chopping boards for wood or bamboo

  • Choose loose-leaf tea instead of plastic-sealed teabags

  • Avoid disposable coffee cups with plastic linings

In Your Home

  • Opt for natural fibres in bedding, clothing, and carpets

  • Ventilate and dust regularly to reduce airborne particles

  • Use liquid detergents and line-dry synthetics to minimize shedding

In Your Skincare

  • Check for polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylates, or polyurethane in cosmetics

  • Choose biotech-focused formulas over plastic fillers

  • Support brands with compostable, microplastic-free packaging — like GFYS’s Vivomer jars

Why It Matters to GFYS

We built GFYS to challenge “plastic permanence” in beauty. Our jars vanish naturally back into the earth, leaving no trace. Our formulas are high-performance where they need to be, but never plastic by default. Because better skin shouldn’t come at the cost of your health, or the planet’s.

Progress Over Plastic

Your body is resilient, and change begins with small, deliberate choices. Switch the packaging, swap the habits, and simplify what touches your skin and enters your system.

Because freedom (and skin fitness) starts from the inside out.