FYI: Talcum Powder and Cancer

As you may know by now, I'm a lawyer by day and budding beauty blogger by night.  I was genuinely surprised when I realized the two seemingly unrelated activities intersect frequently - but rarely in a good way.  As a beauty blogger, I like to be aware of what sort of ingredients are in the cosmetics I purchase and review.  As a lawyer, I receive information on said ingredients when there's a problem with them.  Enter the talcum powder lawsuits.  Back in 2009, a study by Dr. Margaret Gates and the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Health led to the first of many lawsuits regarding the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.  These lawsuits are still ongoing nationwide.  So, what do you need to know about this common ingredient?  Here's the deal.

What is talc?

Talc is a mineral that absorbs moisture and protects skin from friction.  As you can see from the advertisement above, women have been using talc in the form of talcum powder for years.  However, talcum powder is mostly commonly referred to today as "baby powder."  Prior to the 1970's, naturally occurring talc, ground into powder form, contained asbestos.  Although asbestos is banned these days, in a 2013 lawsuit, it was alleged that studies showed that even asbestos-free talcum powder had the potential to cause ovarian cancer.

 

Where is talc?

Most dusting powders for adults or baby powders for infants contain talcum powder as the main (sometimes only) ingredient.  Talc is also a filler in certain eye shadows, face powders, foundations, blush and bronzers, etc.  You should check any powder based cosmetics ingredients list to see if talc is included.

 

Is talc really a threat?

The American Cancer Society summed up some of the research that has been going on in relation to the link between cancer and talcum powder.  So far the research has been focused on use of talcum powder in the genital area and the findings are mixed.  Some research suggested an increased risk to women of as much as 30%, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, has declared asbestos-free talc to be "possibly carcinogenic" to humans.

How to avoid talc?

I'm no scientist and I don't intend to dictate whether or not people should avoid talcum powder entirely, but it is worth further research and consideration by we the consumers.  If, like me, you prefer to err on the side of caution, check the ingredients in any and all cosmetics you purchase.  If the ingredients aren't listed on the packaging, you may be able to find that information online on the manufacturer's website(s).  Just because a product is cruelty-free does not mean it is talc-free.  Luckily, due to the attention talc is getting these days, many makeup companies proudly declare if/when their products are talc-free.

At the end of the day it is up to the savvy consumer to do his or her homework before making a purchase.  The research on talc is still in its infancy but it is my personal belief that it is an unnecessary "filler" and there are many wonderful brands that don't use it.  Hopefully you find this information useful and it leads you to further research.

FYI: Cruelty-Free and Legalese

Cruelty-free beauty is not a new concept.  Most of you already have seen the horrific images of rabbits with oozing sores, or rats that have been blinded with chemicals.  But what's the real deal with cruelty-free products?  First, some truth about labeling and what truly constitutes "cruelty-free":

 

Cruelty-Free - What It Is and Isn't:

The beauty industry cannot really decide what constitutes a truly cruelty-free product.  However, organizations such as PETA, the Humane Society of the United States and the Leaping Bunny Program adopted by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) agree that cruelty-free products are not tested on animals.  This generally includes not only testing of the finished product, but testing of any of the products ingredients. 

• Cruelty-free does not mean that the product is vegan: containing no animal products of any kind including eggs and dairy.  
• Cruelty-free does not mean a product is organic: generally meaning products that were grown or produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics or growth hormones. 
• Cruelty-free does not mean the product is fair trade: an organized social movement to better the lives of farmers by paying them fairly for their goods while encouraging sustainable farming practices.

 

Cruelty-Free and the Law:

Cruelty-free is a label that can mean less than - or greater than - standards are applied.  Because there is no legal standard in the U.S. to define "cruelty-free", companies can use the label to mean just about anything: the label can imply that the final product has not been tested on animals, but certain ingredients in the product were.  It can mean that the manufacturer did not test on animals, but the supplier did the testing instead.  It can also mean that the manufacturer relied on tests done in foreign countries which laws are not applicable here in the U.S.  Sadly, because animal testing is not prohibited in the U.S., the law is vague where the "cruelty-free" label is concerned.

80 countries still allow animal testing today, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The U.S. does not require animal testing, but does not ban it, either.  Some countries like China and Brazil do require animal testing.  In 2014, China determined that products being imported into the country - U.S. companies are included - must be tested on animals.  Therefore, although a company here in the U.S. may claim that their products are not tested on animals, if said company is selling in China, then that company is not cruelty-free. 

 

How to Buy:

It's surprising to most consumers how confusing, not to mention unclear, cruelty-free shopping really is.  So what's a consumer to do?  First of all, get familiar with the organizations and projects that are the most stringent when it comes to animal safety and welfare.  

• The Leaping Bunny Program ensures that products with the leaping bunny label have not had any new animal testing in any phase of development, from the suppliers to the manufacturers.   The CCIC requires all companies utilizing their label to undergo a free analysis that ensures there is no animal testing involved and that the product is up to snuff.  When you see the leaping bunny logo (directly above) you can feel pretty secure knowing that you're getting a cruelty-free product.
• PETA provides an up-to-date list of companies and products that are cruelty-free.  Think of it as a "Google" for cruelty-free products.  You simply plug in the name of the company, or you can view lists of companies that do engage in animal testing, and even view companies that are working to change regulations to better animal welfare.  Click here to check it out.
• On the go?  If you need a quick guide while shopping, there's an app for that.  Cruelty-Free by Symbiotic Software is the CCIC's app that lists over 200 cruelty-free U.S. and Canadian companies.  Animal-Free is an app designed to help you determine if there are hidden animal ingredients in products.  This app is particularly helpful if you're looking for vegan products.  Choose Cruelty Free is an Android powered app that offers lists of cruelty-free and vegan products.  Lastly, the PETA app is everything animal friendly. You can view news updates, donate, and of course, find vegan and cruelty-free products galore.

At the end of the day, one of the best things you can do is research a company you purchase from regularly.  We search the internet all day anyhow, why not check up on what you're putting on and into your body?  Find out what's being said about the company in the news.  Check the company's mission statement - is it pro-animal rights?  You may discover other projects that the company engages in that are important to you, such as sustainable farming or ending human trafficking (yes, The Body Shop does all that).

Still have questions?  Feel free to e-mail me: benevolentbeautyblog@gmail.com