Drugwatch's trusted legal partners support the organization's mission to keep people safe from dangerous drugs and medical devices. Face powders often contain up to 100 percent talc, according to a safety report from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. For more information, visit our partners page. Environmental and Occupational Medicine. Lung X-rays can usually identify pure talcosis, which presents as small nodules in the lower lobes of the lung. 6 Things Even the Biggest Cover FX Fans Don't Know, The Beginner's Guide to Natural and Organic Beauty Brands, Can You DIY Your Own Toothpaste? National Center for Biotechnology Information. We Investigate, Skincare Trends We Need to Ditch In 2021 According to These Professionals, Alicia Keys Adds 6 New Products to Her Skincare Line—Complete With Self-Care Affirmations, Estheticians Agree: These Makeup Ingredients Are Causing Your Breakouts, Is Medical-Grade Skincare Really More Potent? Blotting powder offers the best of both worlds. Here are the talc free makeup brands to check out for those looking to … Any unauthorized or illegal use, copying or dissemination will be prosecuted. And reports of asbestos contamination of makeup products marketed to kids have added to their worries. (2018, August 21). Talc has recently been reappraised in cosmetics and baby powders by manufacturers, regulators, and consumers. (2007). "So now, when I'm formulating, I can dilute the color, but it won't create a chalky finish on your skin. Retrieved from, U.S. PIRG. Known for her Argan oil-based beauty line, Josie Maran Cosmetics also offers a great talc-free makeup line. He is now the co-founder and CEO of MOB Beauty. It starts with our strict sourcing guidelines. The soft mineral gives makeup a silky texture that makes it easier to apply. Talc has many uses in cosmetics and personal care products including as an absorbent, anti-caking agent and to improve the feel of the product. 99,94% of the talc we source is from secured origin. My knowledge of the mineral was limited at best, but I had read about its possible ties with cancer and concerns over whether its presence in cosmetics could be making people sick. Drugwatch has a stringent fact-checking process. Updated October 31, 2020. "If you take some of that pigment, and you put it on your hand, it's intense. Foreign body post-varicella granulomas due to talc. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome. What I like to say is that we should be talking about the degrees of naturalness. While there are still many unanswered questions about talcum powder, some data-supported facts exist about the controversial mineral and its use in makeup. Look on the packaging of makeup before you buy it, and if you’re not sure what it contains, move on to another brand. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The Chinese made similar face powders from rice powder mixed with ground talc and a type of clay called kaolin. Retrieved from, Rom, W.N. Talc (Silica and Fibre Free). "What I like to say is that we should be talking about the degrees of naturalness.". According to the American Cancer Society, while talc is a danger for talc miners or other workers who come in contact with natural, asbestos-contaminated talc fibers, it has not been established as a concern for cosmetics., Dr. Patel says most skin types can tolerate talc; however, those with sensitive skin can see some irritation when used in specific areas on their faces. Retrieved from, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mo Med. Nonetheless, the ongoing debate over talcum powder’s potential links to cancer has some women second-guessing their beauty routines. 2019;116(2):83-86. According to experts, talc poses the biggest risk when it’s in a loose powder form. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 95 ($53.65/Ounce) The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy group on environmental health issues, has a searchable database with ingredient information on more than 73,000 cosmetic products. It is added to absorb moisture, smooth or soften products, prevent caking, and make makeup opaque. Study: Cosmetic talc products carry asbestos peril. He says that the main health issue when using talc is what happens when the powder is inhaled. "The concern with cosmetic talc in makeup and hygiene products is when it is inhaled, as it might cause respiratory problems and lung disease. That same year, Justice, a retail clothing store owned by Ascena Retail Group, Inc., recalled eight “Just Shine” makeup products that contained the toxic fibrous mineral. Retrieved from, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Talc should not be applied to the skin when the epidermal barrier is missing or significantly disrupted. Dacy was an editor at Byrdie for a year and a half and is now a contributor to Byrdie. Do Not Sell My Info. Retrieved from, International Agency for Research on Cancer. It can also cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It works in makeup to absorb moisture, give an opaque finish, and stop makeup … Our talc mainly comes from France and Italy. Makeup allows you to hide some of the shortcomings, visually adjust the shape or emphasize the winning facial features. Dr. Purvisha Patel is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. Most items are oil-based, but they do have some talc-free makeup that’s powder-based, too. Talcum Powder and Cancer. This article aims to shed some light on the disputed safety of talc in makeup products, elaborate on some important information regarding talc, and give some recommendations on the current talc-free makeup products available in the market. Retrieved from, Imerys. ALERT: Your health is top priority. (2017, December 28). Makeup products are also less prone to becoming airborne. You have to dilute it. If you’re worried about that, you can avoid specific powdery makeup brands that list talc as an ingredient, such as certain eyeshadows, … This talc-free powder won't cake or dry out the skin thanks to the kiwi fruit water blended into the formula. But the powdery mineral can cause problems if it gets under the skin through an open wound. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify here. It may also be used in skin care products where it serves as an absorbent. One ingredient that has been called into question is talc. Cover FX’s line of products are free from five controversial ingredients: talc, parabens, mineral oil, fragrance and gluten. As the FDA survey demonstrated, asbestos can sometimes be found also in talc-containing makeup products. Additionally, if makeup containing talc gets into your eye, it can cause redness and the sensation that something is stuck in your eye. "I created a policy that we will not formulate any product that has a high toxicity," he says. "Today it's natural glow—they want it to look natural, they don't want it to look covered up. She also provides informed analysis on complex health issues. (2018, August 14). Talc can be contaminated with asbestos fibers, posing risks for respiratory toxicity and cancer. Test results highlight that the lack of adequate screening of talc poses a significant risk of exposure to a carcinogen and demonstrate that cosmetics reform is urgently needed The Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina, recently uncovered asbestos-contaminated talc in two new eyeshadow makeup products sold online on sites like Amazon and eBay. You want your beauty to come through your makeup. You can find the percentage of talc in many Cover Girl makeup products in the National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database. At Drugwatch, she draws on her clinical experience and investigative reporting skills to write about consumers’ health concerns such as the safety of online pharmacies. Talc is a natural mineral—the softest mineral on record—and is used in everything from paints to textiles to drugs to, you guessed it, cosmetics. The setting powder helps mattify the skin while vitamins C, E, and F are meant to protect the skin from environmental stressors. Retrieved from, Verlynde, G., Agneessens, E. & Dargent, J. Our teams strive to always improve our control over the talc supply chain. One of our content team members will be in touch with you soon. Looking for a talc-free pressed powder with buildable coverage and an inclusive shade range? Common symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry cough. We appreciate your feedback. In fact, people often use talc to soothe dry or irritated skin. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Indian J Dermatol. Asbestos fibers can be deadly when inhaled, causing mesothelioma to develop decades after the initial exposure. In this specific sequence, this article will discuss: Talc: Its Definition, Properties, and Applications; 3. Upon visiting Cover FX in Los Angeles to learn more about what goes into the brand's popular formulations—including playing chemist and trying my hand at making some of my own products—I found out that the brand doesn't use talc in any of its powders. "At Cover FX, what I do is look at the ingredients—I don't look at the degrees of naturalness," explains Casale. It is a common ingredient in powder compacts, finishing powders, eye shadows, blushes, foundations and creams. If you or someone you know has face powder poisoning, call 911 for help and call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. WHAT IS TALC? Editors carefully fact-check all Drugwatch content for accuracy and quality. If you want to avoid talc, you should make a habit of reading labels. Talc in makeup. With food, it's a little more clear. You'll knock off the shine and refresh your makeup without powder overload. So I followed up with Victor Casale, the co-founder and chief chemist of Cover FX, to hear why he chose to ditch the controversial ingredient—and what he said was not what I expected. Additional diseases linked to talcum powder include lung cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer and asbestos-related diseases. If you develop any signs of irritation or infection on regions of skin where you’ve used a talc product, stop using it and promptly see your doctor or a dermatologist. Some of her qualifications include: Drugwatch.com writers follow rigorous sourcing guidelines and cite only trustworthy sources of information, including peer-reviewed journals, court records, academic organizations, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports and interviews with qualified experts. (2014, October 31). He underscores that the goal is to produce quality products that are safe for people. But with beauty, navigating what's healthy and what's harmful is not as simple. Talc is often added to cosmetics because it adds softness, prevents caking, and absorbs moisture in personal care products. Talc also absorbs oil, prevents caking and makes facial makeup more translucent. It is a naturally occurring whitish-gray mineral. (2018, August 14). "People care about the naturalness of their makeup, but most of the medications they take are synthetic. The best talc-free setting powders will reduce shine, set makeup, and provide a smooth finish— & they're formulated to complement all skin tones. People can find talc in various makeup products, including blushes, eye shadows, and bronzers. For instance; in food, such as rice and chewing gum; and in the manufacturing of oral tablets. "The problem with talc, as I learn more and more and have more experience with it, is that if you put talc on your hand by itself and rub it in, it never really disappears. Most reports involve a child or baby who accidentally inhaled or swallowed baby powder — but face powder poisoning can also occur. When Casale focuses on the safety of the ingredients in his formulations, he considers the toxicity. Talc is the dilutant. Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon and lecturer both in the U.S. and in the global arena. Unlike talcum powder poisoning, face powder poisoning is rarely serious or fatal, but it may require emergency medical treatment if symptoms are severe. When you’re selecting any product, be sure to read the ingredient label. While talcum powder may be applied liberally all over the body, most people apply only small amounts of makeup to the face. But is makeup containing talc bad for you? It can tell you whether talc is present and also lists other ingredients of concern. You can't sell it that concentrated. A number of studies and lawsuits have suggested a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Review our editorial policy to learn more about our process for producing accurate, current and balanced content. Inhaling cosmetic talc can cause serious respiratory problems. Talc. 700 Children’s Blog: Asbestos in Children’s Makeup: What’s the Risk to Your Child? 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