Asbestos in makeup?! Yup. You read that right!
Seriously? We have to deal with this crap in our cosmetics? Whenever I think of asbestos, it’s definitely not in conjunction with makeup! I keep picturing those commercials on daytime tv, “if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you could be entitled to compensation…” so how did it end up in makeup? A lot of makeup products contain talc, which is something you’re probably more familiar with, but did you know that there is sometimes asbestos in talc? Crazy! How do we tell what talc is okay and what talc contains asbestos? Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure if talcum powders found in cosmetics contain asbestos is through extensive research of the individual product. Recent research showed that 14% of makeup with talc tested contained asbestos! That might be a low percentage, but I think I’d rather be safe, yeah? Good thing there are cosmetics that are talc free.
What is talc and why is it in makeup?
Talc and asbestos are minerals that naturally form in close contact with each other. Because of this, mined talc can contain asbestos which is a known carcinogen that can cause some cancers when inhaled (lung cancer, mesothelioma). Asbestos has also had links to ovarian cancer specifically in products used in the genital area like baby powder. The link, however, to ovarian cancer hasn’t been conclusively proven unlike the inhalation of asbestos causing mesothelioma or lung cancer. I don’t know about you, but I’m still not going to mess around with it!
The biggest problem us as consumers face with talc in cosmetics is that it isn’t regulated as well as it should be. The FDA has said “it’s unacceptable for makeup products to be contaminated with asbestos,” but there aren’t any regulations for cosmetic-grade talc meaning companies aren’t required to test their talc for asbestos. So you’re telling me, that these products just might happen to contain asbestos and we don’t even know for sure, nor is it even being regulated? Yikes!
So why even bother with talc if it poses a risk? Talcum powder has a lot of benefits for the composition of makeup. It acts as a filler for products and makes them soft and smooth to the touch. It’s used in all sorts of powder cosmetics like eyeshadows, powder foundation, blushes, and finishing powders. Talc is prized for its absorption of moisture and can reduce the appearance of unwanted oily skin, but is it worth it?
Are there alternatives to talc?
Of course! We wouldn’t be scaring you with all of this asbestos talk if there weren’t other options! There are several different brands offering talc free products on the market. Something to note though when searching for cosmetics, when a cosmetic says it’s all natural, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain talc! Talc is a natural substance, but it’s one that possibly contains gross asbestos. If you’re curious if you’re using products that contain talc, here’s a handy dandy little website for you that tells you what cosmetics contain talc.
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/ingredients/706427-TALC/
If you’re looking for talc free products (better safe than sorry!) we’ve come up with a list for you.