Is talc in makeup safe?

Talcum powder, also known as talc, is a naturally occurring mineral that is a common ingredient in products from baby powder to chewing gum and even pharmaceuticals. It is also often present in powder cosmetics, such as blush, bronzers and eye shadow.

However, despite its prevalence, there has been some concern that talc may increase the risk of cancer, depending on where and how it’s used.

To find out what you should know about the risks of having this mineral in your beauty products, we spoke with gynecologic oncologist Anil Sood, M.D., and Therese Bevers, M.D., medical director of MD Anderson’s Lyda Hill Cancer Prevention Center.

Asbestos in talc caused initial cancer risk concerns

“Historically, there has been a link between the use of talc and ovarian cancer,” Bevers says. “However, these cases of cancer are thought to have arisen because the talc products contained asbestos, which is a known human carcinogen.” Many people, especially women, would use this contaminated talc in the form of baby powder for hygiene in their genital area.

“The issue has been around for quite some time,” Sood says. “In the 1960s and 1970s, people started becoming concerned.” By the mid-1970s, American companies that manufactured personal care products voluntarily agreed to make sure their talc didn’t contain asbestiform fibers, although there have been occasional reports of asbestos still being detected in talc.

Talc and ovarian cancer

Since then, there have been a number of studies about whether talc — even if it doesn’t have asbestos — is linked to ovarian cancer.

“The data is mixed,” Sood says. “Collectively, there may be some association, but I haven’t seen any compelling data.”

Issues such as difficulty recalling which products someone used decades ago can make such studies difficult to conduct well. Plus, even if there is an association between the use of talc and development of ovarian cancer, that doesn’t necessarily mean talc caused the cancer.

“Even if it might not cause cancer directly, talc may create inflammation or an environment that is conducive to causing cancer,” Sood says. That association is of concern to people diagnosed with ovarian cancer, who often ask Sood if using talc caused their cancer. He says this question is impossible to answer.

That uncertainty is why it is not recommended to use even asbestos-free talc in the perineal region (on or around your genitals) or on products that come into contact with this area of the body. From there, the talcum powder particles may travel through the body to the ovaries and cause potential issues.

Talc in cosmetics

The skin of the face is very different from the perineal area, however. There is no evidence that using facial cosmetics products containing pure, uncontaminated talc causes cancer. And if you’re worried about asbestos, there’s good news: When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested facial and hair products in 2023, they found no asbestiform fibers in any of the samples tested.

“Facial and hair products seem to be safe from a cancer-risk perspective,” Bevers says. Still, if you are concerned, it doesn’t hurt to talk to your health care provider about your personal risk level. Many companies now make cosmetic products that are labeled talc-free, so that may be a good option if those make you more comfortable and help you achieve the results you want. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice, but experts say there’s no reason for undue concern.

“I’m not personally going to be throwing away any of my talc-containing cosmetic products,” Bever says.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-833-987-1731.