In the 1970s, talcum powder was considered the epitome of femininity. Young girls and women applied the product, believing it would leave their skin soft and smelling clean while ridding them of sweat. In the 2020s, the younger generation decided to put their own spin on the classic powder duster. Many Gen Z influencers have started mixing baby powder, or any other beauty powder, with perfume and baby oil. Many creators have prescribed it as a way to keep skin soft, lock in moisture, create a distinctive scent, or even extend the lasting power of a favorite fragrance.
Despite its past and present, applying talcum powder has been difficult A common hygiene habit that was not as hygienic as people thoughtThis is because of its main ingredient, which is talc. In chat with attractivenessCosmetic chemist Amanda Lam explained why the mineral is commonly found in cosmetics, saying: “Talc is a natural mineral that is (usually) used as a sensory modifier and absorbent in powder products.” Initially, health concerns surrounding talcum powder focused primarily on asbestos contamination in talc rather than the mineral itself.
the American Cancer Society It is noted that some talc contains asbestos in its raw state. Additionally, tests conducted on 19 products containing talc in 1976 found that 10 of them contained asbestos (via New York Times). WebMD He writes that scientists have determined that inhaling talcum powder containing asbestos can lead to cancer. Inhaling asbestos has been significantly linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in several studies. Given all this, it is not surprising that talc was eventually widely viewed as a chemical An ingredient you don’t want to see in your makeup Or cosmetics.
Talcum powder has undergone a major transformation over the years
When we look at the health concerns surrounding talcum powder in general, things get a little more complicated. Over time, researchers sought to determine if there was a link between perineal/genital talcum powder use and ovarian cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, research has shown mixed results, with some studies showing a higher risk of ovarian cancer and others showing no significant link.
However, after reviewing research on talc’s potential cancer-causing effect in humans and animals, the World Health Organization declared… International Agency for Research on Cancer It is classified as Group 2A, meaning the metal is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” To make this assessment, the group focused specifically on studies where asbestos contamination was unlikely. It’s no surprise that all the rhetoric surrounding that one and how he was partly responsible for one of them Largest drug recalls in US historyWhich forced many people to stop buying talcum powder.
A good example of changing consumer attitudes regarding talc can be seen in how it is done Johnson & Johnson It stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in the US and Canadian markets as of May 2020 after facing a large number of lawsuits and declining demand. The company was keen to stress that it was “firmly confident in the safety” of its product, which it claimed was backed by scientific studies. To keep pace with these shifts in consumer attitudes, many companies have released talc-free versions of baby powders and cosmetics. However, times seem to have changed in more ways than one Food and Drug Administration A report from 2023 found that no asbestos was detected in 50 samples of cosmetics containing talc.
