Talc is a popular ingredient in makeup, but it has a long documented history of asbestos contamination. Certain brands of children’s and adult makeup have tested positive for asbestos in recent years. Because talcum powder in cosmetics can be contaminated with asbestos, these products can pose serious health risks for consumers. Talc in makeup may cause cancer as a result of asbestos exposure.
- In November 2020, the Environmental Working Group commissioned a study of 21 cosmetics samples and found asbestos in three of the samples.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019 found asbestos in nearly 20% of 52 cosmetic samples collected around the country.
- In March 2018, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group said it found asbestos in makeup products Claire’s sold. The group conducted tests on four Claire’s makeup products and discovered high levels of asbestos in three of them.
- Tests conducted in 2017 found asbestos in children’s makeup sold by retailers Claire’s and Justice.
The Environmental Working Group commissioned the government-licensed Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina, to conduct the 2020 tests.
I could go across the street right now to the mall and pick up talc powder that I know from previous testing, more likely than not, will contain some amount of asbestos.
Sean Fitzgerald
Director of Research and Analytical Services at SAI
Cosmetic products and brands that tested positive for asbestos include:
- Johnson’s Baby Powder
- Jmkcoz 120 Colors Eyeshadow Palette
- Beauty Glazed Gorgeous Me Eye Shadow Tray Palette
- Beauty Plus Global City Color
- Children’s makeup sold by Claire’s
- Just Shine Shimmer Powder sold by Justice
Why Is Talc in Makeup?
Talc is added to makeup because it creates a soft, silky texture, and it dilutes pigmented products and acts as filler. It is a common ingredient in powder compacts, finishing powders, eye shadows, blushes, foundations and creams.
It is the softest mineral on Earth and is known for its ability to absorb moisture and reduce the appearance of oily skin. For example, talc-based face powders are commonly used on top of cream foundations to “set” the foundation so that it stays in place and looks naturally dry instead of oily and shiny.
Chanel, Revlon and L’Oreal have chosen to remove talc from some, but not all, of their products. No other makeup brands have announced plans to remove talc from their cosmetics.
In 2019, retailers Justice and Claire’s recalled their children’s makeup products that tested positive for asbestos. Beauty Plus Global recalled its City Color products that tested positive for asbestos in 2019 as well. None of these entities have announced plans to stop using talc or stop selling talc-based cosmetics.
Talc is added to many consumer products in addition to cosmetics, including deodorants, powders, soap, feminine hygiene products, contraception devices, pills, textiles, chalk, children’s balloons, clay and crayons.
How Asbestos Ends Up in Makeup
Asbestos ends up in makeup because of poor regulations involving cosmetic-grade talc, which is also known as talcum powder. Talc and asbestos are minerals that form together. That means talc mined for commercial uses can be contaminated with asbestos — a known cause of lung cancer and mesothelioma.
There is a long history of asbestos remaining in talc that is certified asbestos-free. Manufacturers don’t purposely add asbestos to cosmetics, but there is a lack of regulation around cosmetic-grade talc. Because of that relaxed oversight, no one is checking for the presence of asbestos. That means companies can get away with not testing their talc for asbestos before putting it into their products — possibly harming consumers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate cosmetic-grade talc. The federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 does not require the FDA to review cosmetic products and their ingredients, with the exception of color additives.
In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (now known as the Personal Care Products Council) asked its members to use asbestos-free talc in their products. While the FDA says that it “considers it unacceptable for cosmetic talc to be contaminated with asbestos,” there are no U.S. laws or regulations that strictly prohibit talc used in consumer products from containing asbestos.
Asbestos in Children’s Makeup
Asbestos in children’s makeup was found as recently as 2019 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The first reports of asbestos in children’s makeup were released in 2017. In 2015, asbestos was detected in children’s toys, including crayons and a toy fingerprint kit.
Brands of children’s makeup that tested positive for asbestos include:
- Just Shine Shimmer Powder, Justice
- Claire’s Compact Powder style #83915-9
- Claire’s Contour Palette style #40194-3
- JoJo Siwa Makeup Set, Claire’s
- Mint Glitter Makeup Set, Claire’s
- Pink Glitter Palette with Eyeshadow & Lip Gloss, Claire’s
- Bedazzled Rainbow Heart Makeup Set, Claire’s
- Pink Glitter Cellphone Makeup Compact, Claire’s
- Professional Eye Makeup Kit, Claire’s
- Rainbow Bedazzled Star Makeup Set, Claire’s
- Rainbow Bedazzled Rectangle Makeup Set, Claire’s
- Ultimate Mega Makeup Set, Claire’s
- Metallic Hot Pink Glitter 48 Piece Makeup Set, Claire’s
- Rainbow Glitter Heart Shaped Makeup Set, Claire’s
Claire’s and Justice recalled these products, but the retailers have not announced plans to discontinue sales of all talc-based makeup products.
Why Is Asbestos in Cosmetics Dangerous?
Long-term exposure to asbestos through talcum powder is known to cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. While asbestos-contaminated makeup hasn’t yet been associated with the development of diseases, the risk remains as long as talc goes unregulated in the U.S.
The greatest risk comes from loose powder products such as baby powder, finishing powder and compact foundation. When these products are contaminated with asbestos, they pose an inhalation risk that could lead to lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Asbestos in makeup does not cause any immediate side effects because the health consequences of asbestos exposure take decades to develop. The latency period associated with mesothelioma is between 20 and 60 years after a person is first exposed to asbestos.
