Does Baby Powder Still Have Talc?

Companies manufacturing personal care products and cosmetics are supposed to make sure their products are safe. But there is no one really keeping an eye on them. Read on to find out the answer to “Does baby powder still have talc?” ⁽¹⁾

Introduction

In recent years, a lot of companies have stopped selling baby powder with talc. The concern isn’t so much the talc itself — it is the possibility of asbestos being in the talc. Asbestos is always a danger.

This blog answers questions such as “What are the health risks associated with talc?” and “Does Johnson & Johnson baby powder have talc?”

The History of Talc in Baby Powder

Talc is a very soft mineral that occurs naturally in the geological environment. In fact, talc is so soft it registers as just a 1 on the Moh’s hardness scale. Talc’s softness is one reason manufacturers like it so much. Manufacturers like its other qualities as well. Talc tends to repel water, which makes it also water resistant. ⁽²⁾

In personal care products, talc retains fragrance. It gives cosmetics a lustrous appearance, and stays white and pure looking. Naturally, talc feels greasy. This greasiness is what makes talc a great lubricant. Talc also makes products glide easier on. ⁽³⁾

Talc Is Used in Baby Powder

Talc has been used in products for years. In fact, baby hygiene products were sold in the United States for more than a century. In 1894, Johnson & Johnson marketed its first baby powder. In 1898, Mennen joined the club. Over the years, manufacturers created more and more baby products — including shampoos, lotions, oils, and creams. ⁽⁴⁾

Manufacturers created different formulations they said were particularly safe for infants. Baby hygiene products were intended to clean the skin without irritating it, prevent irritation by removing moisture, and treat diaper rash. ⁽⁵⁾

Adults assumed if the hygiene products were safe for infants, they must be safe for adults, too. Baby products were supposed to be extremely gentle. Mennen and Johnson & Johnson marketed toilet and baby powder. ⁽⁶⁾

On the packaging, manufacturers said the powder could be used as a shaving powder, a toilet powder, and foot powder. Manufacturers also said their baby powder could relieve sunburn and prickly heat. Also, baby powder was supposed to remove perspiration odor. ⁽⁷⁾

Linking Talc to Health Risks

About that time — in the late 1800s — the first association between asbestos and talc was noted. Researchers in the early 1900s actually found asbestos in talc deposits. They also observed health effects due to talc exposure. ⁽⁸⁾

Decades passed before scientists took a closer look at the possibility of asbestos in cosmetic talc products. In the 1960s, researchers began raising the alarm, reporting that asbestos is linked to cancer. In 1964, the New York Academy of Sciences determined there was no such thing as a safe level of asbestos exposure. Then, in 1971, researchers publicly announced they had found talcum powder contaminated with asbestos. ⁽⁹⁾

Many studies on asbestos in talc followed. In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) recommended manufacturers follow strict guidelines and quality control measures in cosmetics. The CTFA represents manufacturers in the personal care products industry. The goal was to make sure talc products were free of asbestos fibers. Those guidelines still exist. They are guidelines, not regulations. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Do Baby Powders Still Contain Talc?

In response to growing concerns about baby powder contaminated with asbestos, Johnson & Johnson switched to a baby powder using cornstarch. The company discontinued selling its JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder globally in 2023. ⁽¹¹⁾

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all talc products sold in the United States are supposed to be safe for consumer use. The understanding is that these products are believed to be free of asbestos. In December 2024, the FDA published “a proposed rule to establish and require established testing methods to detect and identify asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products.” ⁽¹²⁾

But the truth is — if and until that rule is finalized — there is no agency tasked with the responsibility of monitoring these products to make sure they are free of asbestos. Basically, companies making personal care products and cosmetics are supposed to hold themselves responsible for the safety of their products. ⁽¹³⁾

They are supposed to make full and honest claims about those products. However, according to some researchers, you can still find talc-containing cosmetic products with at least some traces of asbestos. ⁽¹⁴⁾

Manufacturers Shifting Away from Talc

These concerns about asbestos in talcum powder have pushed many manufacturers to switch to non-talc formulas. You can read the labels for an ingredients list to identify them.

Johnson & Johnson, Burt’s Bees, CVS, Era Organics, and others offer dusting powders claiming to be talc free. Some use cornstarch instead.

Cosmetics Still Not Regulated Strongly

However, cosmetics are a different story. The FDA has conducted laboratory tests on many cosmetic brands. Recent test results did not find they contained asbestos. Still, cosmetics are not regulated the way drugs are. ⁽¹⁵⁾

In December 2022, Congress passed the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act. With the passage of this law, companies are required to use state-of-the-art testing techniques specifically to detect asbestos in products containing talc. ⁽¹⁶⁾

The FDA regulates just nine ingredients to keep the public safe. Consumers are still expected to follow a “buyer beware” mentality. ⁽¹⁷⁾

Instead, some states are taking the lead to crack down on unsafe personal care products. California, Maryland, and New York are banning dangerous chemicals from cosmetics and other personal care products. ⁽¹⁸⁾

Health Risks Associated with Talc

The biggest health risks associated with talc concern mostly talcum powder and cancer. People exposed to talc over a long time face a greater risk from breathing in asbestos-contaminated talc and developing mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. Women who used asbestos-contaminated talcum powder frequently — near their genitals — face a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. ⁽¹⁹⁾

Studies Looks at Asbestos Health Risks in Talc

Different agencies have studied talcum powder contaminated with asbestos. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is on the alert for substances that cause cancer. ⁽²⁰⁾

According to the IARC, talc containing asbestos absolutely poses a threat to human beings because asbestos is a cancer-causing substance. The agency says talc itself is probably carcinogenic. The IARC says talc definitely has some properties of a cancer-causing substance. ⁽²¹⁾

The U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) represents several different government agencies: the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the FDA. This organization is still looking into the dangers of talc, both with and without asbestos. ⁽²²⁾

What Should Consumers Do?

One place to turn to for information about talc-free alternatives is the Environmental Working Group (EWG). They provide an online resource where you can search for ratings on over 90,000 personal care products. ⁽²³⁾

EWG’s resource for identifying talc-free alternatives is called Skin Deep. According to this database, over 3,000 products contain talc. Close to 60% are powders. To limit your risk of exposure to asbestos, avoid them. Instead, look for blush and eye shadows that are cream based. ⁽²⁴⁾

Avoiding Products Containing Talc

You can also use EWG’s Healthy Living app while shopping. Just scan the barcodes of cosmetics and personal care products you’re thinking about buying. The app tells you whether or not they contain talc. The app also tells you how the products rate. ⁽²⁵⁾

If you or a loved one was exposed to talc and developed a serious medical condition — such as mesothelioma or ovarian cancer — seek legal advice. An attorney specializing in asbestos exposure and other dangerous substances can help you explore your legal options.

Weitz & Luxenberg

Many companies have stopped selling baby powder made with talc. The reason is because no one can guarantee the talc is 100% free of asbestos. Asbestos is always dangerous and can cause cancer.

Baby powder products are labeled. The labels should answer your question, “Does baby powder still have talc?” If the product contains talc, the label should tell you so. In fact, many specifically advertise themselves as talc free. That language may be on the front of the product.

If you have been exposed to talc and developed a severe illness, such as mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, contact our law firm about your concerns. We can help you consider whether a personal injury lawsuit would be right for you.

Weitz & Luxenberg is a plaintiffs’ law firm. This means we help regular people who have been harmed by others — often large, national companies. We’ve been helping our clients for nearly 40 years and have secured more than $19 billion dollars on their behalf. This includes more than $27 million in compensation for a client exposed to baby powder contaminated with talc.

We offer a free initial case evaluation. For more information, feel free to contact us by calling (917) LAWYERS or filling out the form on the page. We can help.