Asbestos in Cosmetics:
We typically assume the makeup we wear is safe. After all, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates cosmetics under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. But what if it isn’t as safe as we thought? What if even the cosmetics our children use isn’t safe? That’s precisely what happened between 2017 and 2019 when the FDA advised customers not to purchase certain cosmetics sold by the retailers Claire’s and Justice, warning that the products contained asbestos. The retailers marketed the products to tweens and teens. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time regulators have found asbestos in makeup.
Asbestos and Talc
Asbestos is a fibrous-like mineral found naturally in rocks and soil. The mineral is heat resistant and readily stretched into fibers that manufacturers can add to many materials, including building materials and even clothing. Until the 1980's, manufacturers commonly used asbestos in flooring, roof tiles, insulation, and many other construction materials. Unfortunately, if asbestos is disturbed, through fire, demolition, or some other means, asbestos fibers can enter the air and water and be ingested or inhaled by people. Once in the lungs, asbestos can cause irreparable damage to the airway and lungs. Damage caused by asbestos can lead to lung cancer or mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs, heart or abdomen.Talc is also a mineral found in clay, but one we think of as benign. It is the softest mineral, and manufacturers often use talc in everything from baby powder and makeup to food supplements. Unfortunately, veins of asbestos often contaminate talc deposits. When mined, asbestos can often contaminate talc, which is not considered safe at any level. More than 12,000 people sued Johnson & Johnson with claims asbestos contaminating the talc in their baby powder caused their ovarian cancers. A jury agreed, awarding them $4.69 billion in July of 2018.
How Can You Avoid Talc in Cosmetics?
You can avoid talc in makeup and other products by reading the ingredient labels. Manufacturers often list talc as:
- Talc
- Talcum powder
- Talcum
- Cosmetic talc
- Magnesium silicate
You can also use cosmetic brands that are talc-free such as Pacifica, Smashbox and Everyday Minerals. Whatever you choose to do, it’s essential to be aware that talc is not as harmless as we once thought.
