Which Companies Are Still Using Talcum Powder in Their Baby Powder Products?

For many years, companies have used talcum powder as an ingredient in products such as baby powder, cosmetics, deodorant, and paint. It’s a valuable ingredient because it provides a silky smooth texture and it absorbs moisture. It’s also readily found in the earth. 

However, talc has been linked to both mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, and it’s common for the mineral to be contaminated with asbestos. Because no amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe, many people avoid talc-based products altogether. Its use is ubiquitous in many products, particularly cosmetics, so people who avoid talc need to be conscious consumers.

Since talc is so often contaminated with asbestos, products containing talcum powder have been known to also contain asbestos; thousands of people have sued Johnson & Johnson for selling and marketing baby powder containing asbestos. Many women who used baby powder in their genital area have developed ovarian cancer, potentially caused by the small particles traveling to the ovaries.

Despite the risks of talc, many companies continue to use the ingredient in their products. Most do independent testing to ensure there is no asbestos contamination, but they are not required to release their results. Talc and asbestos are found so close together in the earth, that it’s next to impossible to ensure every batch of talc is asbestos-free without testing it. To be safe, if you are using a product that contains talc, you should assume it also contains asbestos.

A lot of companies, Johnson & Johnson included, have removed talc from their products in the United States. Here is a list of companies that still use talc in their products. 

Companies That Make Products Containing Talc

Due to health concerns, many companies have removed talc from their products. While not an exhaustive list, here are some popular companies that still list talc, talcum powder, or magnesium silicate as an ingredient in at least one of their products:  

• AXE
• Almay
• Anastasia Beverly Hills
• Arm & Hammer
• BH Cosmetics
• BareMinerals
• Beautycounter
• Becca
• Bobbi Brown
• Clean & Clear
• Clinique
• CoverGirl
• Degree
• Dove Skincare
• e.l.f.
• L.A. Colors
• Laura Mercier
• L’Oreal
• MAC
• Mario Badescu
• Maybelline
• NARS
• NYX
• Neutrogena
• Old Spice
• Physician’s formula
• Revlon
• Sally Hansen
• Tarte
• Too Faced
• Ulta Beauty
• Urban Decay
• Wet n Wild
• Yardley

Not every product by these companies includes talc, and some use the ingredient more liberally than others. Additionally, some talc-based products have been discontinued, but they may remain on the shelves until all products are sold. Before choosing a product, check the label for talc, talcum powder, or magnesium silicate. 

Companies That No Longer Use Talc

Because the dangers of talc are more well-known today, many companies have reformulated their products and stopped including talc as an ingredient. The most notable company to do this is Johnson & Johnson; they removed talc from their baby powder in 2020. Here are some popular companies that have removed talc from their products:

• Johnson & Johnson 
• Anti-Monkey Butt
• Ammens
• Shower to Shower
• Equate
• Perfect Purity
• Well Beginnings
• Elizabeth Arden

Again, some companies have stopped making their products with talcum powder, but some talc-based products may remain on the shelves. Be sure to check labels before buying a product. Additionally, these changes only apply to the United States. Some companies, Johnson & Johnson included, still sell talc-based products in other countries. 

For many companies, talc removal has only happened in recent years. If you have any products in your home from these companies, check the labels. 

In many cases, talc is replaced with cornstarch, which is a safer alternative. The particles in cornstarch are larger than the particles in talc, but it serves a similar function. Like talc, cornstarch is smooth, and it absorbs moisture. The larger particles are safer when inhaled, though inhaling the particles is still not recommended. Additionally, cornstarch is edible (it’s made of corn), again making it safer for the body. 

Products Containing Talc Might be Contaminated with Asbestos

In 2020, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted an independent test of products that list talc as an ingredient. Three of the 21 products they tested were found to be contaminated with asbestos, including a children’s makeup kit.

Asbestos contamination is one of the main complaints in the Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder lawsuit. The plaintiffs claim that for decades, the company used talc in their products while fully knowing that the ingredient was sometimes contaminated with asbestos. Records show that their talc tested positive for asbestos as far back as 1971, yet they didn’t take it out of their products until 2020.If you or a loved one used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder in your genital area and later developed ovarian cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. The company has already been ordered to pay out billions of dollars across thousands of lawsuits. Contact a talcum lawyer today to see if you have a case.