For decades, scientists have been controversial about talc powder. Some countries have banned talc powder from being added to cosmetics. Because it is said that talc can be contaminated with asbestos when mined.
The presence of asbestos in talc can also lead to mesothelioma and other cancers. Some news said that talcum powder is carcinogenic. Why do manufacturers use it? Is it safe or not?
Let’s discuss its usage in the cosmetic industry and why it is still in use even after potential risk factors have been raised.
What Is Talc?
Talc is a natural mineral that is mined from the earth. It is one of the softest minerals on the planet. At the same time, the reserves are also great, full of various forms. It comprises four minerals: magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen.
With the chemical name, it is known as magnesium silicate. Talc is widely utilized in the cosmetic industry and many personal care products, from baby powders to blush and eye shadows.
Due to its various properties, it is being used to:
- Prevent cakey look
- Absorb moisture
- To make makeup opaque
- Improve the feel of the product or make it smooth and soft
It is also used in other products to make:
- Anti-sticking substance
- Anticaking agents in food products
- Dispersing agents in animal feed
- Fertilizers
- Pharmaceuticals
According to the research, two-thirds of the baby powders contained asbestos in Korea which has caused inhalation problems in babies. Talc products can be used that are labeled as asbestos-free and tested and certified by the manufacturer.
There is another debate about occupational exposure to asbestiform talc. Asbestiform talc is different from talc-containing asbestos. Asbestiform is a term used to describe mineral growth patterns and the presence of asbestos and other minerals in talc.
The Presence of Talc in Various Products
- Lotions
- Body showers
- Baby powder
- Eyeshadows
- Foundation
- Lipstick
- Deodorants
- Face masks
- Feminine hygiene products
- Mascara
- Glittery pigments
Cosmetic Use of Talc
The presence of talc in the makeup creates a soft texture of the product. It enhances the feel of the product, making it silky. Also, it dilutes pigmented products and acts as filler. Talc is a basic ingredient for compact powders, translucent powders, eyeshadows, blushes, and foundations.
Talc reduces the oily appearance of the face. For instance, when we apply creamy foundations, we need to set it using powder compact or translucent powders to make the makeup stay put for a longer time.
Asbestos is not added to cosmetics purposely. Due to the lack of regulation and quality checks in cosmetic-grade talc, the manufacturers are using talc without testing for the presence of asbestos minerals. This is an alarming situation for all cosmetic users.
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is the law under which actions are being proposed for the ban and regulations for using asbestos in talc. EPA has taken action to protect from exposure to asbestos in talc.
What Makeup Contains Talc?
Makeup products are evolving with time, and so are consumers’ choices. Makeup consumers are turning more towards organic and natural products. But remember, not all organic, natural makeup is safe and suitable for everyone. Just like talc! Talc is a naturally occurring mineral used in cosmetics for many years.
Talc is the softest mineral on earth which makes it unique. There are many benefits that we can get from such minerals. Thus, many industries are using these minerals to get maximum benefit. From ancient times, this mineral has been used. It was first used to reduce skin irritations in Egyptian and Indian cultures.
And now, it is being used in every makeup product. From the base makeup product (foundation) to the final touchups (setting spray), talc is an important ingredient. Besides makeup, talc is also used in manufacturing personal care products. Like the lotion, shower lotions, face masks, hair dyes, deodorants, shampoos, perfumes, etc.
The Application of Talc Powder in Modern Life
Talcum powder plays an important role in daily life. Because of its various uses and applications, it is in high demand. Many industries require talc. For example, it is used in paper making, plastic, paint & coatings for metal casting molds, rubber, food, electric cable, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and ceramics.
Chemical Grade: It is used in chemical industries such as rubber, plastic, paint, and other chemical industries. Talc is used as filler in paints and as an extender. The liquid portion of the paint makes the product be applied smoothly. Still, after it gets dried, the mineral particles of the product remain on the walls. This is where talc works.
Talc’s chemical grade is vast. Therefore it is used because of different reasons. That includes”:
- Talc increases the stability of the product shape
- Increase the strength of the tension
- Shear strength
- Deflection strength
- Pressure strength
- Reduce deformation
- Extension rate
- Thermal expansion coefficient
- High whiteness
- Uniform granular dispersibility
In the case of the rubber industry, the talc reduces the viscosity to make rubber compounds. This procedure helps in the process of molded parts. Talc improves extrudate qualities, enhances production rates, and increases UV radiation resistance in exterior parts like automotive.
Ceramics Grade: It is used to manufacture high-frequency porcelain, radio porcelain, various industrial ceramics, building ceramics, daily ceramics, and pottery glaze.
High temperature does not change color. After forging, the whiteness is enhanced to make the density uniform, with good luster and a smooth surface.
About 17% of the talc is consumed in the manufacturing of ceramics. It is mostly used for bathroom fixtures, ceramic tiles, pottery, and dinnerware. Talc can improve the firing characteristics of greenware and the finished product’s strength when used as filler in ceramics.
Cosmetics Grade: when talc is ground finely, it is ready to be used in the cosmetics industry. It is a high-quality filling in the cosmetics industry.
Talc is an excellent mineral to absorb oils, moisture, odor, and sweat produced by the human skin. This very reason makes it special to be used for cosmetics.
Talc also serves the lubrication properties. Therefore, it is used as a very important ingredient in antiperspirants.
Contains a lot of silicon elements. It has the effect of blocking infrared rays, enhancing the sunscreen and anti-infrared performance of cosmetics.
Many concerns regarding talc have been raised to ban talc-based cosmetics. Or else there should be regulations and laws to check for the asbestos mineral presence in the talc. Asbestos-free products should be launched to the final consumers.
Researchers and other studies have been done to conclude such a matter. But no such risk has pointed to banning talc in cosmetics.
Pharmaceutical and Food Grade: Talc is a pharmaceutical and food industry additive.
It has the characteristics of being non-toxic, tasteless, high whiteness, good tolerance, strong gloss, soft taste, and smoothness. The pH value is 7-9, and the characteristics of the original product will not be degraded.
The anti-stick property of talc is used as a coating agent for food and pharmaceutical purposes. Also, talc is used as an anti-caking agent.
Paper-Making Grade: Most paper is produced with the pulp of natural fibers. This pulp is composed of wood, rags, and other biological materials. Talc is used as filler in addition to the paper-making process. Products for various high and low-grade paper industries.
Mineral filler talc improves the opacity of the paper. It increases the paper’s brightness and whiteness of the paper. Also, talc increases paper’s ability to absorb ink well. Talc is widely used in paper, demonstrating 16 % of talc usage overall.
Paper powder has the characteristics of high whiteness, stable particle size, and low abrasion. The paper made of this powder can achieve smooth paper, delicate, raw materials, and improve the service life of paper.
Water Magnesium Powder: Talc is used to manufacture electric porcelain, radio porcelain, various industrial ceramics, building ceramics, daily ceramics, and ceramic glazes.
As the talc is processed, it does change its color due to high temperature does not change color. After forging, the whiteness is enhanced, the density is uniform, the gloss is good, and the surface is smooth.
Talc and Health Concerns
The mineral asbestos is found with the mineral talc. Asbestos can be contaminated when mining talc minerals. Therefore, mining sites are usually tested, and then make mining precautions accordingly.
Asbestos exposure can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. A short exposure, like a few days, can cause mesothelioma later in life.
Talc and asbestos are formed from the same parent rock. This raises health concerns more violently. Because all talc-based products can be contaminated with asbestos minerals. Therefore, products should be checked for the presence of asbestos fibers before dispatching them to market.
Those, as mentioned earlier, are the common symptoms of talc poisoning. We have combined the other common symptoms caused due to asbestos inhalation, which are known as:
- Blisters
- Eye irritations
- Throat irritation
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Coma
- Decreased urination
- Low blood pressure
- Twitches
- Bluish skin
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
What If I Inhale Talc?
Inhaling talc can cause serious respiratory issues. Talc inhaling issues have generally been reported in babies or children; who accidentally swallow or inhale the baby powder. Also, powdered makeup that is asbestos-contaminated can cause health problems too.
These are the first symptoms if you happen to inhale talc:
- Burning sensation in the throat
- Irritation in the eye
- Coughing
- Difficulty in breathing
Cosmetic Talc Safety
FDA is an agency working under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It ensures the safety and effectiveness of products, drugs, vaccinations, medical devices, and other products being used for humans. They have tested a year-long sampling to check talc-containing cosmetics products and the presence of asbestos.
The results showed 20 percent of samples came out positive out of 52 talc-based products.
Check the product’s label if you want to avoid using talc products. Talc-based products include talc, talcum powder, cosmetic talc, and magnesium silicate. So, avoid purchasing cosmetic products stating these ingredients.
Also, to treat your baby’s diaper rash, we recommend you use oil-based ointments and change your baby’s diapers frequently.
Alternatives to Talc
With the rising concerns and increasing health concerns and risk of using talc, New York Times has suggested teenagers avoid talc-based powders. They have recommended using cornstarch as an alternative to baby powder.
Many other products say paraben-free, talc-free, and organic options are available too, and cruelty-free options can also be considered.
Tea tree oil-based powders, cocoa butter powders, jasmine-based powders, aloe vera-based powders, tapioca-based powders, and anti-bacterial powders are available as an alternative to talc-based powders.
Conclusion
Talc-based products became controversial when a family sued Johnson & Johnson to pay $72 million for the damages. Because the woman died due to their talcum powder usage (feminine hygiene) after 35 years. The relationship between talc and health issues has reportedly been studied ever since. But there is no definitive answer to this query about whether talc in cosmetics is harmful. Due to this very fact, many firms are still using talc in their cosmetic range.
The latest regulations and testing of talc can prevent asbestos-containing talc from entering the market. Also, we all know that talc products are safer to use. Cosmetics manufacturers recommend using talc-based products. So, you can fearlessly use your favorite cosmetic products with talc. Enjoy your makeup and start spreading awareness about baby talc concerns.
Beware of what you are using. It should not make you sick and lead you to chronic diseases. We recommend you avoid using baby powders as many deaths have been reported due to the respiratory issues caused by the powders.
Trust your manufacturer, or avoid using products containing talc.