what is talc in makeup

Talc is a common ingredient used in many beauty products, including makeup, due to its ability to give makeup a silky texture that makes it easier to apply, absorb oil, prevent caking, and make facial makeup more translucent. However, talc has raised safety concerns due to potential contamination with asbestos, a toxic mineral. Asbestos and talc are naturally occurring minerals that can form near one another beneath the Earth’s surface, which heightens the risk of contamination. Lawsuits have been filed by individuals who claim their illnesses were caused by using talc products contaminated with asbestos. The amount of talc in makeup differs depending on the product, with face powders often containing up to 100% talc. The FDA has continued its testing for asbestos contamination in talc-containing cosmetics, and the summary table of the results from testing of official samples of talc-containing cosmetics for asbestiform fibers completed by AMA Laboratories in 2022 provides details for each of the talc-containing cosmetics that were analyzed in this survey. Generally, the only way for consumers to know if products are free of asbestos is if manufacturers use talc that is tested and certified as asbestos-free.