Some talc may contain the known carcinogen asbestos, therefore it should be avoided in powders and other personal care products, unless it is known to be asbestos-free. Even asbestos-free talc should be avoided in the pelvic areas.
Is talc safe to use on the face?
Summary –
Talcum powder is commonly found in hygiene and cosmetic applications for its anti-caking and moisture-absorbing properties. Talc is considered safe for use on skin, though it has been associated with ovarian cancer when used on or near the genitals. The process of mining talc carries the risk of contamination with asbestos, a cancer-causing substance that should not be inhaled. Talc is tested for asbestos contamination, but these testing processes and regulatory oversight are imperfect. While this largely does not affect talc’s use on the skin, one should avoid inhaling talc powder.
First developed and marketed by Johnson and Johnson in the early 1900s, talcum powder quickly became a staple of personal hygiene, particularly among women who had little else to rely on for body odor control at the time. A variety of food products and pharmaceuticals contain talc due to its thickening properties.
Studies indicate that talc is safe when consumed (in small amounts) because it passes through the body quickly and remains unmodified as its processed and eliminated by the gastrointestinal system. Made from a mineral (talc) comprised of oxygen, silicon, and magnesium, talc works well to absorb perspiration, reduce friction caused by clothing, keep sweaty feet dry, and prevent heat/moisture rashes.
Early advertisements for talcum powder recommended women sprinkle the powder on their dress shields for better odor control. J&J also promoted the ability of talcum powder to control odors related to “feminine hygiene.” Talc is also an ingredient in face powder, blush, eye shadow, and other cosmetics that are dispersed over the skin.
- It helps cosmetics spread easily over the skin and absorbs skin oils.
- Some dry shampoos and deodorants may also contain talc.
- By the 1920s, Johnson and Johnson had combined talcum powder with corn starch to create the first baby powder.
- Both products were wildly popular and helped make Johnson and Johnson the leading manufacturer of hygiene and health products for women and infants.
But you’ve probably heard that talc can be dangerous. Why is that, and what would make talc “bad” anyway? Excavators mining for talc learned early on that asbestos and talc (both minerals) were typically discovered in the earth side-by-side. When miners found a pocket of talc, it was often contaminated with asbestos.
- Varieties of asbestos include amosite, crocidolite, and chrysotile (“white asbestos”), an extremely toxic material that studies have found causes lung cancer, larynx cancer, and some gastrointestinal cancers.
- Respiratory exposure to any kind of asbestos over time is also known to significantly increase the risk of cancer.
Since the process of separating talc and asbestos would be expensive and time-consuming, J&J sold products containing talc corrupted with asbestos. Claims that Johnson and Johnson knew their talcum powder contained asbestos, but either denied or downplayed this fact, have been verified by various documents since.
- Although J&J knew early on that small amounts of asbestos were contaminating talc, it wasn’t until 1968 that scientists officially detected fibrous talc and asbestos in talc products.
- An article published in The New York Post in 1971 finally informed the public that Mt.
- Sinai researchers found significant amounts of asbestos in talc.
In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) asserted that the inherent definition of cosmetic talc did not obligate talc products be free of “detectable” asbestos, and to this day talc must be “non-detected” rather than “asbestos-free”, or guaranteed 99.90% free of asbestos versus proposals for 99.99% from the U.S.
Why is talc allowed in makeup?
What types of products may contain talc? – Talc may be used in products to absorb moisture, prevent caking, improve consistency, or to make a product opaque. Talc is an ingredient used in personal care products such as loose powders (e.g., talcum powder, baby powder, blush, eyeshadow), and in other forms (e.g., pressed powder, liquid makeup).
What is talc bad for skin?
3. Clogs your pores – Talcum powder is harmful for skin because it is finely milled and clogs the, It doesn’t allow the sweat to evaporate during the summer season. It can make existing rashes worse or even cause new ones. “Some talcum powders contains a substance called asbestos which can cause lung cancer.
Is talc-free safe?
What You Should Know About Talc-Free Powders – There are several talc-free alternatives on the market. They include:
Cornstarch Arrowroot powder Tapioca starch Baking soda Kaolin clay Bentonite clay
There is no research proving whether talc-free powder is safe or dangerous to use. However, the most significant benefit of using talc-free powders is that you can be sure the product you are using does not contain asbestos. If you are considering using a talc-free powder on yourself or your child, we recommend speaking with a doctor or pediatrician.
Does all talc contain asbestos?
Is Talcum Powder Dangerous? – Risks associated with talcum powder stem from the toxic effects of talc dust and the potential contamination of talc with asbestos. Some consumer and industrial products contained dangerous levels of asbestos-contaminated talc.
- Talc dust can irritate the respiratory system by causing coughs, chest pain and shortness of breath.
- However, asbestos-contaminated talc is much more dangerous.
- Talc and asbestos can naturally form so closely together that mining practices cannot keep them separated.
- Not every talc deposit is contaminated with asbestos.
However, contaminated talc tends to contain highly carcinogenic (cancer-causing) forms of asbestos, such as tremolite or anthophyllite. These forms are more carcinogenic than chrysotile, the most-used type of asbestos.
Is talc-free safe?
What You Should Know About Talc-Free Powders – There are several talc-free alternatives on the market. They include:
Cornstarch Arrowroot powder Tapioca starch Baking soda Kaolin clay Bentonite clay
There is no research proving whether talc-free powder is safe or dangerous to use. However, the most significant benefit of using talc-free powders is that you can be sure the product you are using does not contain asbestos. If you are considering using a talc-free powder on yourself or your child, we recommend speaking with a doctor or pediatrician.
Is talc safe in deodorant?
IS THIS THE RIGHT OPTION FOR ME? – Talc has a long history of safe use in food and personal care products. FDA has recognized its use in foods as well as topical products. In foods it can be used as an anti-caking agent in powdered food applications (i.e.
- Like salt – 21 CFR 182.2437).
- While it has a long history of safe use, there have been some safety concerns raised about particular applications that have come up and been investigated over the years.
- These safety concerns stemmed from potential inhalation and/or impurities in the talc powder.
- These concerns were investigated by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services; and subsequently, FDA has maintained talc’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for use in antiperspirants.
The talc being used in this product is incorporated into the matrix and coated with oils and therefore will not be present in the air we breathe and is free from impurities, meeting the United States Pharmacopeia standards of purity for use in cosmetic/drug products.
Is talc in makeup safe for pregnancy?
How to Choose Pregnancy Safe Makeup – AVOID Formaldehyde It’s already 2018, but cosmetic companies are still using formaldehyde – used to embalm dead bodies – in their products. Formaldehyde exposure has been linked to miscarriages and other reproductive problems, and research hasn’t yet shown how much formaldehyde exposure is tolerable before it causes health hazards. CHOOSE Toxin Free Mascara Why use formaldehyde when you can use plant extracts instead to preserve your mascara? Our natural mascaras contain a natural preservative system made of Lavender, Honey, oregano Extract, Thyme Extract, Rosemary Extract, Lavender Extract, and Goldenseal Extract. CHOOSE Non-Toxic Nail Polish Our ten-free nail polish collection is free of the top ten toxic ingredients found in most nail polishes. That means no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients. Time to pick up some new color and treat your tired body to an at home manicure and pedicure ! AVOID Talc and Asbestos We have a huge problem with talc in makeup. Talc is often used in powder formulas and dry shampoos as a softening powder, but the problem is that talc can be contaminated with asbestos that’s a known carcinogen. Even the FDA admits that it cannot prove “that most or all talc or talc-containing cosmetic products currently marketed in the United States are likely to be free of asbestos contamination.” CHOOSE Rice Powder and Bamboo Silica We’d rather stay safe than sorry, especially when it comes to our pregnancy. Keeping our products non-toxic is our top priority, so we opt for rice powder instead to keep our powder formulas ultra soft and velvety.