GB18. 3 Simple Ways to Reduce Microplastic Exposure

Microplastics are everywhere—hidden in our food, water, beauty products, and even the air we breathe. While the problem can feel overwhelming, the good news is: you don’t have to do it all to make a difference.

In this Glow Bite, Alicia and Nicole share 3 simple, doable ways to reduce microplastic exposure in daily life. These small swaps can help support your hormones, energy, and overall wellness—especially important for women navigating midlife and perimenopause.

✨ This isn’t about fear—it’s about taking practical, empowering steps for low-tox living to protect your health.

⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 — Intro: Why microplastics matter for midlife women
00:40 — The shocking truth: we eat a credit card’s worth of plastic weekly
01:20 — How microplastics impact hormones, inflammation, and health
02:10 — Step 1: Easy swap in the kitchen to reduce exposure
03:15 — Step 2: Rethinking beauty and self-care products
04:10 — Step 3: Simple home and lifestyle changes that make a difference
05:00 — Progress over perfection: why small steps matter most
05:40 — Glow Reflection prompt & closing

💫 Glow Reflection Prompt:
What’s one small swap you can make this week to reduce your microplastic exposure?

📌 Resources:
📥 Free Daily Glow Rituals Guide → https://stan.store/thedailyglowlife/p/daily-glow-rituals-guide

Transcript

Alicia: 0:00

Hey there. Welcome back to Midlife and Glowing. In our main episode this week, we went deep into the surprising ways microplastics show up in our food, beauty, and home, and how they affect our health, especially in midlife.

Nicole: 0:12

Yeah, and this one's a big deal because microplastics aren't just floating around in the ocean anymore. They're literally everywhere In our environment. Researchers are now finding them inside the human body in blood vessels, in lung tissue, even in placenta and breast milk.

Alicia: 0:27

Yeah. And one study even estimates that we're eating and drinking the equivalent of a credit card's worth of plastic every single week. That's wild. and when you think about how plastics act as endocrine disruptors, it makes sense that midlife women who are already dealing with hormone shifts might feel the impact even more.

Nicole: 0:46

Exactly and beyond hormones. Studies are linking microplastics to inflammation, metabolic changes, even cardiovascular risks, all things that tend to become bigger concerns in our forties and fifties, which is why this conversation isn't about perfection. It's about awareness and easy action. Because while we can't completely avoid microplastics, there are simple swaps that can dramatically lower your exposure.

Alicia: 1:12

So today we're sharing three quick, doable swaps that you can start right away. Think of it as your starter kit for lowering your plastic load without overhauling your whole life.

Nicole: 1:22

We chose the swaps in each category, food, beauty, and home, that have the highest payoff, and all of them are easy enough to start today. First up, food and drinks. Ditch the plastic water bottles. Switch to a good, reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle and invest in a water filter at home. This one step dramatically reduces how much plastic you're drinking every single day.

Alicia: 1:46

Alright, next let's talk beauty. Swap out your body or face lotion that lists polyethylene, acrylates, or nylon on the label. Those are microplastics. Instead, look for clean beauty brands that focus on plant-based or mineral ingredients. Bonus, your skin will thank you. And another bonus if it's in a glass jar or bottle,

Nicole: 2:07

And finally, your kitchen. Get rid of plastic storage containers and invest in glass or stainless steel instead. It lasts longer, doesn't leach and keeps your food tasting fresher. Even swapping out one or two containers at a time makes an impact.

Alicia: 2:23

It's not so bad when you break things down into small, doable upgrades. Just three swaps to get you started. The key is not to stress about doing everything all at once. Just pick one place to begin.

Nicole: 2:34

Exactly, because over time those little swaps add up, you'll lower your exposure, protect your hormones, and to even reduce your environmental footprint. It's about progress, not perfection. And that brings us to today's glow reflection. What's one simple swap I can commit to this week to reduce plastics in my life that feels doable for me.

Alicia: 2:54

It might be carrying a stainless steel water bottle, switching out your shampoo for a cleaner version or grabbing a glass container on your next target run. Whatever it is, choose the one thing that feels easy and let that be your win for the week.

Nicole: 3:07

Thanks for joining us for this glow bite. If you missed our full episode on microplastics, be sure to go back and listen. We covered where they show up, what they do in the body, and more ways to reduce your exposure.

Alicia: 3:18

And if you try one of these swaps, let us know over on TikTok or YouTube. We love to hear what changes you're making. We'll see you next time on midlife and Glowing.