When most individuals imagine talcum powder, possibilities are they think of children and personal sanitation. Currently, studies and litigations have linked it to something more frightening: cancer.
A handful of researches also discovered a cancer association. For instance, one research found females who used talc powder intended for personal sanitation had almost 20 to 30 percent more risk of getting ovarian cancer.
Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration of America cannot promise that products having talc in America are free from asbestos. Breathing asbestos can lead to mesothelioma.
The US Academy of Pediatrics has notified that talc powder can also create respiratory problems in young children. The increasing study has done on talc powder in the latest years because of anxieties surrounding its possible health effects.
This guide will help you know why to get and what are talc powder alternatives that work for you and your family.
Table of Contents
What is talc powder?
Talc powder is a white powder that is frequently used to engross moisture from your skin, decreasing friction and shielding it from injury. Talcum powder has traditionally been utilized as an operative tool for avoiding or handling diaper eruptions in babies.
Several adult males and females also utilize talc powder for their bodies to alleviate rashes, look after the skin, or decrease smells around areas, such as the genital organs.
Talcum powder is made by defeating naturally-arising talc rocks, having a range of minerals comprising magnesium and silicon. As the minerals present in talc have a range of advantages for skin strength, talc can occasionally have traces of asbestos that can cause cancer.
This is for the reason that, before being excavated, talc is frequently found in close vicinity to asbestos. Even though most producers make every struggle to improve their talc quality and eradicate all cancer-causing asbestos, fractional quantities of this damaging substance have been discovered in talcum powders retailed.
Health risks of using talc powder
Talcum powder comprising asbestos has originated under fire for its likely cancer-causing features. Because of the asbestos, which is recognized as a carcinogen and is assumed to cause many respiratory issues in talc miners.
Asbestos is recognized to enhance an individual’s risk of increasing respiratory problems and diseases, such as lung cancer, once inhaled in noteworthy amounts.
While talc miners can be at risk of developing lung cancer, talcum powder consumers for beautifying reasons are not deliberated at risk of emerging the ailment. However, females who use this powder for sanitation purposes around the genital organs are considered to be at potential risk of getting cancer of genital organs.
This is due to the fine particles present in talc powder, which can go into the ovaries once used around these organs. Researches looking into this likely association have up to now come back having mixed outcomes, with some conclusions declaring that usage of talc powder puts females at a slightly augmented danger of evolving ovarian malignancy, and others proposing that there is no danger of talc use at all.
Finally, the question remains whether talc powder lacking asbestos brings any increased danger of increasing certain tumor growths. The sketch is less clear yet; however, it is still under significant analysis thanks to the several lawsuits and arguments surrounding marketable talc powder usage.
What are the important legal problems that have emerged surrounding talc powder?
Baby powder from Johnson & Johnson is the most notorious talc powder available on the worldwide market. Objections about cancer cases conceivably caused by talc powder have been socializing the lawful system from 1999. Johnson & Johnson has tried to verify that their talc powder product is asbestos-free.
For instance, in 2019, Johnson & Johnson well-arranged lab trials on its product when the US Food and Drug Administration found trace quantities of asbestos in their talc powder product.
The tests finally determined that no asbestos was found in their product; however, the assumption nearby talcum powder remains.
Although the board is still out regarding whether talc powder is harmless to use on children or adults, several people agree that blundering on the side of care can be best. Besides, it is significant to note that several babies are unconditionally fine and fit without talc powder’s comforting features.
However, if you need to prevent talcum powder, depend on it to caution yourself and your baby, but it is worth looking over possible talc powder alternatives. This is especially true if your kid suffers from rashes created by diapers daily. There are a few operational alternatives underneath that could convert your baby’s everyday hygiene routine.
Best Talc powder alternatives
People who are worried about the safety of talcum powder can use talc powder alternatives. Some choices are readily accessible on the shelves of native grocery shops and pharmacies, or online. For example, some alternatives like silk powder, zinc, and boron nitride, might be difficult to get.
You can also create home-based baby powders through a mixture of the following constituents.
1. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is the most extensively used substitute for talc powder. Cornstarch is easily available from the grocery shops, in pharmacies, general stock stores such as Target and Walmart, and online. Commercial cornstarch combinations are also accessible. Prices start from $1.50 original cornstarch to around $9.00 for some saleable powder mixtures.
The consistency of cornstarch is similar to talc powder; this makes cornstarch an outstanding talc powder alternative. Indeed, it is so operative at soaking up wetness that it is the most generally adopted substitute to talc powder.
Besides being free from asbestos, it contains a larger particle size compared to talc powder. It means that it is less possible to get its way into parts of the body like the lungs and genitals.
Commercial companies that use cornstarch combinations are:
- Burt’s Bee’s Baby Dusting Powder
- Organic Baby Powder from the Honest Company
- Baby Pure by Johnson & Johnson
2. Baking Soda
It is not only used for baking or freshening your refrigerator. Baking soda is safe to use. It is the best alternative to talc powder. However, using wholesome baking soda can be harsh for delicate skin.
Choose for a mixture of baking soda and cornstarch; otherwise, kaolin clay. Several stores bring baking soda. Costs vary from $0.79 for wholesome baking soda to almost $9.00 for some marketable combinations.
Commercial companies that use baking soda mixtures are:
3. Tapioca Starch
The majority of people recognize tapioca starch as a sweet-like treat. Tapioca starch originates from the cassava plant. It absorbs damp and oil. It is easily available from some grocery shops, online, and in area groceries like Whole Foods. Its price starts from $1.96 for unadulterated cornstarch to almost $17.00 for some marketable powder combinations.
Commercial companies that use tapioca starch combinations contain:
- Baby Dusting Powder by Nature
- California Baby Soothing Organic Powder
- Peas in a Pod Sweet Cheeks Baby Bum Powder
4. Arrowroot Starch
Just like tapioca, this powder originates from plants of South America. Arrowroot starch is a great substitute for individuals who are sensitive to corn. It is easily available in grocery shops. The finest place to get it is at a health food shop. You can also find this powder online. Its price varies between $2.50 for clean arrowroot starch powder to $14.00 for viable powder mixtures.
Commercial companies that use arrowroot starch mixtures comprise:
- Ora’s Remarkable Herbal Baby Powder
- Ora’s Wonderful Herbal Pure & Simple Body Powder
- Organic Baby Powder from Bee All Natural
5. Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay is also recognized as cosmetic clay. It is present in several cosmetics, detergents, scrubs, and lotions. Kaolin clay is naturally permeable and kind on delicate skin. Individuals usually purchase it online; however, some health stores and common merchandise shops also sell it. Prices range from $0.89 for one pound in bulk, while some saleable powder combinations start at $9.00.
Some brands that utilize kaolin clay combinations contain:
- Baby Powder by Era Organics
- Ora’s Wonderful Herbal Pure & Simple Body Powder
- Baby Powder from Country Comfort
6. Rice starch
This alternative is usually ground-up rice. Individuals used it in different face powders in the past instead of talc powder. One of the disadvantages of rice starch powder is its affinity to the cake. Rice starch is not easily available in grocery stores, but you can easily buy it online. Costs start from $4.50 for wholesome rice starch to around $11.00 for some saleable powder mixtures.
Commercial companies that use rice starch mergers are:
- Organic Eve Rice Baby Powder
- Rice Baby Powder from Reiscare
7. Flour
It is an effective substitute for talc powder. It is great at engrossing moisture. Its consistency is a little rougher than starches; thus, it must be used with attention. It is available in a range of forms containing:
Rice flour
Rice flour is fundamentally ground-up rice. Individuals have been using it in face powders before talc powder was primarily used. Unlike some of the other replacements already discussed, it can be a little complicated to get a grasp of, and it is most extensively accessible on the internet. Additionally, it is also a bit stubborn to use because it can make a cakey appearance.
Corn flour
It is widely obtainable from several grocery shops and is very permeable. This makes it an outstanding substance for comforting diaper rash and engrossing excess wetness. It must be noted, but this constituent may feel a bit stricter on the skin rather than cornstarch; thus, it must be used on babies lacking delicate skin.
Oat flour
Oat flour is made by crushing oats. It is a bit coarser compared to the flours previously stated. Unlike rice flour, it is extensively accessible in grocery shops and is comparatively cheap.
Commercial companies that use oat flour combinations comprise:
8. Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral for upholding your heart and skeletal system health; it is also very operative deodorant that you can use if you have delicate skin.
9. Zinc
Similar to Magnesium, it is also a vital mineral required for several healthy bodily tasks. It is also the chief constituent in nappy rash ointment and calamine cream because it calms the skin, restores wounds, and boosts skin renewal.
10. Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is available in different categories; however, sodium bentonite clay engrosses moisture properly. But, calcium bentonite, as well as potassium bentonite, clay can be considered too.
You can create your baby powder via joining bentonite clay and arrowroot powder, lavender, and calendula. Several natural baby powder businesses include bentonite clay into their preparations.
Top Talc-Free Powder Brands
1. Dusting Powder from Burts Bees
This cornstarch-based baby powder is the number one seller on Amazon. This product is being a pediatrician verified and pediatrician permitted. It is ideal for delicate skin, and it smells like paradise.
2. Honest Company Powder
This powder does not include talc, scents, tints, phthalates, and regular allergens. This powder is authorized natural and prepared by a mixture of cornstarch and kaolin clay, guaranteeing dryness.
Additionally, the Aloe Vera calms itchy, annoying skin, plus the arrowroot powder is permeated with probiotics, this makes it anti-bacterial.
3. Nature’s Baby Powder
This baby powder is prepared with highly permeable tapioca starch that absorbs wetness from sweat and oils. Furthermore, it has Aloe Vera, which keeps the child’s skin cool and reduces irritation.
4. Natural Powder
This mixture has kaolin clay powder, arrowroot powder, lavender, baking soda, and sage. Countless customers use this powder as a dry cleanse and antiperspirant.
5. California Baby
This combination of cornstarch and bentonite clay guarantees dryness in even the loosest folds. This powder has been perfumed with French lavender oil and tea tree oil; this makes it a great anti-fungal.
6. Johnson & Johnson
This list of baby powders would not end without admitting that this famous brand creates a talc-free baby powder regardless of having litigation for talc-based powder. This powder is prepared by using pure cornstarch.
Conclusion
As discussed in this article, there are several talc powder alternatives accessible to you and your baby. While the proof against talc powder cannot be solid yet, the rising assumption about its harmful effects on our health means it is a great option to start seeking talc powder alternatives.
You might start mixing some of the above constituents to make your own modified baby powder.
