TALC: IS IT SAFE FOR YOUR SKIN?

Talc has been one widely discussed topic among beauty enthusiasts for some time now. The increasing concerns about safety of beauty products encourage consumers to be more vigilant. In today’s article, we’ll help you find out more about this commonly used ingredient in the beauty world. So, let’s get to it!

What is Talc?

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral, often categorized as a clay mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. It is found in a powder form, usually combined with cornstarch, known for its thickening property and utilized as a lubricant. Commonly present in a myriad of beauty products including mainstream face powders, foundations and blushers. Talc has a major use in baby powders, known as talcum powder.

Is It Harmful to the Skin and Body?

Despite its wide use in the cosmetic industry, talc is considered to have negative effects on the skin. Makeup that consists of asbestos contaminated talc can cause cancer and inflammatory problems, which is a known carcinogen by the FDA. When makeup that contains talc gets into your eyes, it can cause redness and irritation.

Why Are People Still Using Products with Talc?

People might be unaware of the side effects talc causes the skin or they’ve never turned the packaging to peruse the list of ingredients used. Many might not know that products with up to 1% asbestos are considered asbestos-free, and most talc products are contaminated with asbestos.

Simply looking at the "all natural" or "talc-free" claims made isn't quite enough. The composition of talc can be reviewed from the ingredient list, often labeled the following:

Cosmetic talc
Magnesium silicate
Talcum powder

The Benefits of Using Talc-Free Makeup

With the clean beauty movement, many brands like us, offer beauty products fully formulated without the use of talc. Other than being safe and effective, the products are beneficial for the health and appearance of the skin. Some advantages include:

Let your Skin breathe: We all know the use of many chemical ingredients, including talc in makeup can cause skin damage and lead to various skin woes such as clogged pores, acne breakouts, premature signs of aging, and dehydration. Talc-free products can help to prevent these problems by facilitating moisture lock and allowing the skin to breathe.
Lighter and Less Cakey: Talc-based products absorb moisture and become cakey. This may let your skin appear dull, uneven, and unattractive. Talc-free face powders, on the other hand, are lightweight and don’t turn heavy or cakey even after absorbing moisture. They leave your skin looking and feeling fresh for longer.
Suitable for All Skin Types and Conditions: Gentle in nature and are less likely to cause allergic reactions and skin inflammation. Therefore, suitable for all skin types and people struggling with inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. If one is fighting with any of these skin aliments, talc-free products are your best bet.
Peace of Mind: Staying healthy is one of life’s greatest gifts. Now that we are made aware that talc can cause cancer, do the switch for peace of mind.

Mindfulness in the beauty world?

A brand’s mindfulness towards their choices to clean beauty and safety of ingredients is strongly implemented in recent times. Brands are now aware of the fact that ‘health is wealth’ and beauty consumers also understand that the lifestyle choices they make have an impact on their appearance and overall wellbeing.

At Individual Collective, we bring forth a talc-free makeup range including face powders and blushers, which is not very common. We believe in bringing consciousness to the minds of our consumers by creating awareness about the ingredients used in the formulation of our products.