Talc has long been used in the form of talcum powder in personal care products and cosmetics to absorb moisture. More scientifically, it’s a natural occurring mineral composed mainly of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen.
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What Exactly Is Talc?
According to the site, Cosmetics Info, talc is used in cosmetics as an absorbent, anti-caking agent and to improve the feel of the product.
Talc is typically found in the following products:
- Baby powder
- Feminine hygiene products
- Setting powder
- Foundation
- Lotions
- Blush
- Eye shadow
- Bronzer
- Deodorant
Related Content: Best Clean Makeup Brands
Why Should You Avoid Talc In Makeup?
Talc came under scrutiny in the 1970’s when it was discovered that mineral-based talc contained asbestos, a known carcinogen when inhaled.
Since talc and asbestos are both naturally occurring minerals in the earth, asbestos can often be found when mining for talc.
In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association or Personal Care Products Council, as it is now referred to, recommended that all talc-based personal care products be tested for asbestos.
According to the Mesothelioma Center, “the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019 found asbestos in nearly 20% of 52 cosmetic samples collected around the country.”
I guess we can thank Johnson & Johnson and their infamous baby powder, for bringing to light the risk of asbestos exposure in talc.
Johnson & Johnson has been in the news for years for various lawsuits and in April 2023 agreed upon a settlement of $8.9 billion to tens of thousands of people who claimed that their cancer was caused by their products, most notably their baby powder.
This settlement is Johnson & Johnson’s second attempt to resolve talc claims in bankruptcy.
Related Content: Best Talc Free Setting Powders
Is Talc Safe If Tested For Contamination?
Talc can become contaminated with asbestos through the mining process or manufacturing processes.
Routine testing procedures can help prevent asbestos from making its way into makeup products.
However, the FDA recommends but doesn’t require companies to test their talc-containing products for asbestos. If you purchase talc-based makeup or personal care products, you are taking a chance that it contains asbestos, if the company hasn’t clearly disclosed how they safeguard against asbestos contamination.
It’s also important to note that even asbestos-free talc can irritate skin and if accidentally inhaled, can lead to breathing problems.
Asbestos-free talc can also be carcinogenic when used on the perineum according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
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Best Talc Free Makeup Brands
Beautycounter
Beauty Counter is setting a new standard for clean with their in-house team of scientists that screen their ingredients and packaging, so they can deliver clinically proven results, unmatched ingredient safety, and sustainably designed products. On top of that, they are constantly advocating for more health-protective legislation.
Favorite Products:
- Mattifying Powder
- Dew Skin
- Skin Twin Foundation
- Cheeky Cream Blush
- Skin Twin Concealer
- Statement Maker Satin Lipstick
- Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick
Price Range: $10-$422
Related Content: Beautycounter Review (Hits & Misses)
Tower 28
Tower 28’s motto is #ItsOkayToBeSensitive and they have gone the extra mile to create products that are non-toxic, free of sensitizing irritants, full of calming, nourishing ingredients, and a whole lot of fun. Their products are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Favorite Products:
- SunnyDay Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
- Make Waves Mascara
- BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm
- ShineOn Lip Jelly
- OneLiner Multi-liner
Price Range: $15-$88
Related Content: Tower 28 Beauty Review
Westman Atelier
Westman Atelier creates luxurious, clean beauty products that replenish and balance the skin with plant-based actives and cutting edge science. Makeup artist and founder, Gucci Westman, is known for her second-skin approach to makeup, proving that luxury, efficacy, and clean ingredients can coexist.
Favorite Products:
- Vital Skin Foundation Stick
- Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
- Face Trace Contour Stick
- Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer
- Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
- Bonne Brow Eyebrow Pencil
Price Range: $32-$590
Related Content: Westman Atelier Review
Kosas
Kosas is next-level clean in their skincare ingredients and uses minimal ingredients for maximum impact. Besides being talc-free, they also ban over 2,700 ingredients and adhere to the EU, Sephora and Credo clean standards.
Favorite Products:
- Brow Pop
- Weightless Lipstick
- Revealer Skin Improving Foundation
- Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
- The Sun Show Baked Bronzer
Price Range: $14-$48
Related Content: Kosas Makeup Review
Ilia
Ilia provides clean, skin-centric beauty products that protect the skin from environmental stressors through safe and potent formulas. They also have a fuss-free philosophy, which means their products are easy to use.
Favorite Products:
- Limitless Lash Mascara
- Liquid Chromatic Eye Tints
- True Skin Serum Foundation
- Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Price Range: $20-$60
Related Content: Ilia Beauty Review
RMS
RMS Beauty has been a pioneer in the clean beauty movement since 2009. Their RMS rules include, skin-loving, clean ingredients, quality and transparency, a health-first mindset, and a sustainable future.
Favorite Products:
- UnCoverup Concealer
- Eyelights Cream Shadow
- ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush
- Lip2Cheek
Price Range: $5-$140
Hynt Beauty
Hynt Beauty creates state-of-the-art formulations that both feel and look good on the skin. They use high performing natural ingredients, such as naturally-derived or organic, beneficial to skin, efficacious, eco-conscious, and cruelty-free. Ingredients are also clearly disclosed on all of their products.
Favorite Products:
- Duet Perfecting Concealer
- Flyrt Mascara
Price Range: $3-$79
Fitglow Beauty
Fitglow Beauty creates makeup and skincare that work together to provide an extended treatment plan that lasts all day. The brand is a women-owned and women-led, small, independent company who use plant-based science along with skin experts and chemists to develop effortless beauty built for a sustainable future.
Favorite Products:
- Lip Colour Serum
- Conceal+
Price Range: $12-$348
EXA Beauty
EXA Beauty is the brain child of the clean beauty retailer, Credo Beauty. Their goal is to add more color and future forward thinking to the world of clean beauty without compromising Credo’s clean ingredient standard.
Favorite Products:
- High Fidelity Foundation
- High Fidelity Balancing Color Corrector
- All Smiles Universal Glow Lip Oil
- MascaraQq
Price Range: $14-$99
Crunchi
Crunchi products are made with a combination of safe, certified-organic, and EcoCert ingredients centered around performance. They are also leading the safe cosmetics movement by educating others on how ingredients work in products and the effect they can have on our health.
Favorite Products:
- My Alibi Concealer
- Beautifully Flawless Foundation
- Eyeshadow
Price Range: $3-$396
Juice Beauty
Juice Beauty uses organic farm-to-beauty ingredients to create skincare and makeup products that perform better than conventional products. They are transforming the chemistry of natural formulations with clinically proven results.
Favorite Products:
- Stem Cellular CC Cream
- Photo-pigments Flawless Serum Foundation
- SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer- BB Cream
Price Range: $15-$40
Lily Lolo
Lily Lolo is the original natural makeup brand from Europe. Their mineral cosmetics combine natural, chemical free ingredients with the best in mineral-based technology.
Favorite Products:
- BB Cream
- Mascara
- Miami Beach Pressed Bronzer
Price Range: $2-$34
Axiology
Axiology is a plastic-free, vegan beauty company that makes multi-use sticks and crayons that can be used on lips, lids, and cheeks. Their products are made with 10 naturally-derived ingredients.
Favorite Products:
- Lip to Lid Balmies
Price Range: $15-$148
Saie Beauty
Saie Beauty is a new clean beauty brand that uses transformative and nourishing ingredients in their award-winning, yet sustainable and planet conscious formulas. Their products are formulated by experts, backed by industry secrets and made for beauty fans.
Favorite Products:
- Slip Tint
- Sunvisor
- Lip Blur
- Glowy Super Gel
- Dew Blush
Price Range: $16-$84
Related Content: Saie Beauty Review
Alima Pure
Alima Pure was founded by mother and kindergarten teacher, Kate O’Brian, who believed makeup should enhance not hide what you love most about yourself. It is a certified B Corporation and was one of the first brands to create beauty products with clean, non-toxic ingredients.
Favorite Products:
- Satin Matte Foundation
- Pressed Eyeshadow
- Eye Pencil
Price Range: $2-$48
W3LL People
W3ll People, create award-winning beauty from premium, ethically-sourced, plant-powered ingredients. They are a pioneer in the natural beauty industry and have 35+ and growing EWG-Verified products to underscore their commitment to super clean products.
Favorite Products:
- Bio Correct Concealer
- Bio Powder Foundation
- Supernatural Stick Multi-Use Blush
- Powder Palette Eyeshadow
- Expressionist Volumizing Mascara
Price Range: $10-$87
And that is my 16 picks for the best talc free makeup brands! Did I miss your favorite brand – share it below.
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