Real Talk: Is talc bad for you?
If you’ve been following the news, you may have heard that the courts have ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $110 million to a woman who claims she developed ovarian cancer as a result of applying talc-based products to her genital area. Both the brand and its talc manufacturer Imerys have been considered negligent as they failed to include a warning about the cancer risk related to the use of talc-based products.
The story led to quite a bit of panic, and many people quickly threw out their J&J baby powder products. If you don't have a baby or sport the polbo-tint look, surely none of this affects you, right? Wrong.
There's talc in your products
Talc is not only found in baby powder - it is also the main ingredient in most of our powder cosmetics! If you use face powder, blush, eyeshadow, and other powder products, talc is probably already part of your daily regimen.
Known as the softest mineral, talc is a natural substance commonly used in cosmetics. It acts as a "base" for many powder color products because the powder dilutes the pigment and makes it easier to apply and blend. Talc also has the added benefit of being able to absorb moisture and leave a matte finish.
Should I be worried?
Despite the court's ruling and the possibility that talc is carcinogenic to humans when used in the genital area, the fact is that there is no hard evidence to prove the link between talc usage and cancer as yet. The studies are still limited but it's easy enough to avoid using talc products on that area.
If you're worried about using makeup that contains talc, remember that the woman applied the powder to her genitals for 40 years - it's hardly the same as putting powder on your face! There is also no evidence that inhaling talc can cause respiratory diseases in adults. What is important to know is that some talc in its natural form may contain asbestos, which is a known carcinogen, but all talc products used and manufactured in the United States have been asbestos-free since the 1970s. Our own FDA regulates cosmetic products that contain talc but if you buy fake makeup, there's no assurance that those unregulated products are asbestos-free.
There's no reason to be alarmed and start throwing out your baby powders since the evidence is still pretty weak. What does concern some makeup artists though, is that talc can appear white and chalky, especially under harsh studio lights. More and more brands are now innovating away from talc-based products to use alternative ingredients, here are just a few of them:
- Belo's Talc-free powder (P220 at groceries) works really well at absorbing sebum, plus it’s also a very affordable choice! The formula is made from rice and corn starch though so it still creates a white cast.
- The Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (P350 at Althea) also uses corn starch as well as silica. It’s crowd favorite here in Project Vanity team and made it to our list of Editor’s picks. I love that the powder has a minty scent and sets makeup nicely, preventing shine.
- We've long nurtured a love for the Ellana Loose Mineral Foundation (P499 at ellanacosmetics.com) because of the silky, lightweight, and pigmented formula. They have a good selection of shades, and you can ask for samples to try first before buying!
- Human Nature offers a variety of products that are talc-free. They are made from mica, kaolin, and other ingredients. If you want blush, bronzer, pressed powder, foundation, and loose powder that's free from talc, HHN is the way to go.
We hope this article clarifies the issue and keeps you from panicking about your products! Do you use makeup that contains talc? What talc-free powders would you reco as alternatives?
Sources: Reuters, US FDA, Cancer.org, Philippine FDA, Byrdie
