Is Talc Really Bad For You?

What's the deal with talc? Is it safe? Is it not safe?

I get asked this question almost every week by my clients. It's easy to understand why everyone is so concerned with talc with so many lawsuits these last few years concerning talc being in baby powder and causing ovarian cancer. 

But, you might be surprised to hear that talc on its own is actually not dangerous.  It's the asbestos that commonly contaminates talc that is the problem.  

How do you know if talc is asbestos free?

It's pretty straight forward.  Most talc on the market has a high likelihood of being contaminated with asbestos.  There are some manufacturers who are making certified free talc, so if you have a hard time finding a talc-free alternative, call the company to see if their talc is certified asbestos free.

Why do companies use talc?

Talc is extremely absorbent, so it's widely used in baby powders, blushes and powder foundations.  Some companies are looking to create talc-free formulas, so I suggest looking for companies who are either talc-free or using certified asbestos free talc.  My personal favorite clean brand for cosmetics is Beautycounter.

You'll also want to make sure whatever product you choose is fragrance free.  Fragrance is the #1 ingredient I suggest my clients to avoid.  It's a loophole for hundreds of different ingredients to be hidden in a product, many of which are linked to health concerns.  So avoid fragrance at all costs.  Plus, I'm a fan of supporting companies who are transparent and list ALL their ingredients on the label.  Not many are doing this, but Ilia & Beautycounter are two that are at this point.  

In conclusion, read your labels and try to choose safer whenever possible.  If you need more assistance become a better label reader, download my Label Reading 101 guide here to help you find the top 3 ingredients to avoid in household products.