Is Talc Safe in Cosmetics? The Risk of Talc and Asbestos in Makeup

If you or a loved one uses cosmetics that contain talc, it’s important to understand the risk of asbestos contamination and how this may impact your health.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that’s mined for its moisture-absorbing properties. It’s typically ground down and used in a wide range of products, including eyeshadow, face powder, and baby powder or talcum powder.

While talc has been used in cosmetics and other products for decades, court documents reveal that some companies have known since the 1950s that talc may be contaminated with asbestos — a known carcinogen.

Talc deposits and asbestos deposits are often found close to each other in nature. When talc is mined near asbestos, it leads to the mixing of these two potentially harmful minerals.

Talc poses the biggest risk when it’s in a loose powder form. Exposure to asbestos in talc powder may lead to serious illnesses like cancer.

Learn more about how asbestos may still be found in some cosmetic products to this day, and how you can seek compensation if you developed a disease due to this toxin. Get started with a free case review.

Why Is Loose Talc So Dangerous?

Loose talc is the fine powder that is used in bath bombs, dry shampoo, translucent powder, and a variety of other cosmetics.

When talc is ground to a fine powder, it easily permeates the lungs when inhaled upon use and can lead to serious diseases like lung cancer when it contains asbestos fibers.

When talc products are applied to the genital area, the loose talc may enter the body and potentially cause ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Exposure to asbestos in loose talc may cause:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pulmonary fibrosis

It’s important to know that loose talc may be hazardous. Talc may be safely used in other forms, like cream cosmetics and certain medications.

Companies that used loose talc in their products have had to pay billions of dollars to victims who developed cancer. From Avon to Chanel, Gold Bond to Revlon, companies that manufacture well-known talc cosmetics brands have been sued by families nationwide.

Our legal partners have helped many families secure justice and compensation after a diagnosis linked to asbestos in talc.

Call (888) 726-9160 now to see if they may be able to fight hard for you.

Cosmetic Talc and Ovarian Cancer

Studies dating back to the 1960s suggest a connection between talc and ovarian cancer.

The data from these studies has held up in recent court cases, with significant compensation being paid to ovarian cancer patients and their loved ones.

Ovarian cancer has a wide range of causes, including genetics and infertility. However, women who regularly use talc products on their bodies have a vastly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

In fact, talc used regularly in the genital area was associated with a 33% increase in ovarian cancer risk overall, according to the Journal of Epidemiology.

While initial studies may have been inconclusive, as of 2024, the link between talc and ovarian cancer is clear.

Companies who have included talc in their products are being held responsible, and are finally giving the women who developed ovarian cancer the compensation they deserve.

Is There Still Asbestos In Talc Powder?

Talc and asbestos are both minerals that naturally form near each other. During the mining process, they may become mixed together, with microscopic asbestos fibers contaminating the talc.

As a result, there’s been a major push to ensure that talc products are free from asbestos. As such, talc and asbestos cosmetics have been gradually phased out over the past few decades.

Many cosmetic companies have replaced talc powder with safe alternatives. For example, Johnson & Johnson recently switched to using cornstarch in its popular baby powder products.

In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrances Association (CTFA) drafted guidelines stating that talc could no longer contain asbestos. The group presented a standard that every company must prove there’s no asbestos in cosmetics of any kind.

This guideline improved the safety of cosmetic products, but the fact that talc is still used in many products means there’s a long way to go. Until loose talc is removed from every cosmetic, the public will have to be extremely careful about the brands they choose.

Get a free case review now to see if we may be able to help you secure the compensation and justice you deserve for a talc-related illness.

What Cosmetics Contain Asbestos?

When the asbestos found in cosmetics started making consumers sick, it wasn’t long before manufacturers were paying the price.

Cosmetic products that have tested positive for asbestos include:

• City Color’s Bronzer and Shimmer Bronzer
• City Color’s Palette Effects Color 2
• City Color’s Timeless Beauty Palette
• Claire’s Compact Powder style # 83915-9
• Claire’s Jojo Siwa Makeup Set
• Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder
• And more

If you have any of these products, they have been recalled and are no longer safe for use.

Johnson & Johnson is the best known health care brand to pay billions in compensation to victims of their talc-based products, but there are many others that have been held accountable.

For those who are looking for cosmetics that are safe, talc-free loose powder may be a good option. One example of the best talc-free loose face powder that you can use without fear is the Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder by Hourglass.

Looking for talc-free cosmetics when shopping will ensure that you’re getting the safest options for you and your family.

Asbestos doesn’t show symptoms overnight, but it can develop into mesothelioma after 10-50 years, so it’s vital to avoid it at all costs.

If you have used a cosmetic that contains asbestos and subsequently developed a health condition, you may be able to take legal action and pursue compensation.

Taking Legal Action Over Asbestos in Talc

Across the country, over 60,000 families have taken legal action for asbestos in talc. Each month, more cosmetic manufacturers are required to compensate the customers they harmed with their talc and asbestos products.

LawFirm.com works with asbestos lawyers who have secured over $10.1 billion for exposure victims across the country.

Let our legal partners help you hold the companies responsible for your illness accountable and pursue the financial compensation you deserve.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to learn more about your legal options.