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Quote of the day:

“The hard days are what make you stronger.”

– Aly Raisman

Talc

What is it?

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products. Talc is known for its ability to absorb moisture and provide a silky-smooth texture, which is why it's often used in powders, body lotions, and makeup products.

Talc is a commonly found in: Baby powder, Body powder, Blush, Bronzer, Foundation, Eye shadow, Face powder, Feminine hygiene products, Deodorant, Dry shampoo, Lipstick, Bath bombs and bath powders, Sunscreen, Toothpaste, and more.

There have been concerns raised about the potential health risks associated with talc use.

Why does it matter?

Talc can become contaminated with asbestos fibers during the mining process, which can pose significant health risks such as respiratory toxicity and cancer. Talc and asbestos, both natural minerals that can form near each other underground, pose a risk of asbestos-contaminated talc finding its way into makeup products.

According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, cosmetic products intended for skin use are not required to undergo testing, review, or approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to being sold. Cosmetic products that contain talc must be labeled as such. However, there is no obligation for skin products containing talc to include warnings about potential carcinogenicity. The FDA has not taken a stance on the risks associated with talc-containing skin products.

You may be familiar with the Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder controversy that it may be linked to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Johnson & Johnson has faced thousands of lawsuits related to talc products, and has paid out billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. In 2019, the company voluntarily recalled baby powder due to the presence of sub-trace levels of chrysotile asbestos. The recall fueled concerns about the safety of talc-based cosmetics, and underscored the ongoing debate over the potential health risks associated with talc.

Tests have found asbestos in some makeup products too. In particular, a 2018 study reported high levels of asbestos in makeup sold by Claire's, which has since declared bankruptcy.

Talc has also been associated with respiratory issues when inhaled. In some cases, inhaling talc powder can lead to inflammation and scarring in the lungs, which can cause breathing difficulties.

Sadly, the FDA has not taken any measures to remove talc even as more and more studies are coming out. In 2020 the EU only allows talc in products if tested and proven to be free of asbestos and other harmful impurities.

How to remove from your life?

First step is being aware of the potential risks associated with talc in your current products and taking steps to protect your health. You can look for safe, certified products (that are tested and confirmed as asbestos-free by independent third-party laboratories) OR consider using talc-free alternatives.

Face powders are a good place to start to replace because they contain 100% talc. There are many new talc-free products being put on the market, for example, I swapped my Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder for Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder. Other places to check ingredients are:

• Make-up products, usually confined to any powders (blush, bronzer, setting, baking, eyeshadow, etc). Also, commonly found in kid makeup setup so check those too!

• Baby Powder and other baby products, esp things going over genitals need to be checked

• Anything typically used to absorb moisture like dry shampoo, deodorant, etc

To determine whether talc is contaminated with asbestos, testing is required and is not happening in our products so I chose to avoid them completely.

There are many safe and effective alternatives available, including products made with cornstarch or arrowroot powder. A good example of this is dry shampoo, I have switched to Primally Pure that is talc-free and uses natural ingredients.

To learn more on the dangers of talc there are two documentaries you can watch “Not So Pretty” and "Toxic Beauty".

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