Talc in skin care products

Should you avoid skin care products with talc on the ingredient list?

Talc (hydrous magnesium silicate) is a soft mineral used in various cosmetic products mostly as an absorbent, anti-caking agent, filler, and to improve the feel of the product. It is most often used in mineral make up and cosmetic products for oily skin due to its ability to help control shin, improve the adhesion of the make up to the skin and prevent caking. 

If you start researching online you will find a lot of information about talc not only clogging pores and causing breakouts, but also that it can cause lung and ovarian cancer. 

It is often linked to lung cancer because talc can sometimes contain asbestos fibers, which when inhaled can cause lung cancer. Yet, this only true in technical grade talc used in industry and the appropriate precautions are taken while working with it. Cosmetic grade talc does not contain asbestos fibers and therefor does not cause lung cancer. Additionally in order to prevent inhaling the cosmetic grade talc is micro meter sized (usually larger then 5 µm).

As for risk of ovarian cancer the studies carried out showed that there was only a slight risk when talc  is applied on sanitary napkins or directly to their perineal area. It was found that the highest correlation to ovarian cancer was true for the fragranced talc and not the unscented one. Still more research is needed to clear out this issue. Though if avoided on private parts talc should have no link to causing ovarian cancer. 

Also studies showed that talc is not comedogenic, therefore it is very unlikely that it will cause the skin to breakout. If you are using a skin care product with talc, which is causing your skin to breakout perhaps it is a different ingredient that is causing this.

Image courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net