Do Laura Geller Products Contain Talc? (Why People Are Afraid of Talc)

Yes, many Laura Geller products contain talc, including foundation, blush, highlighter, and bronzer. Talc is a primary ingredient in its powder-based products. Some people are afraid of talc due to its potential contamination with asbestos, which can cause cancer when inhaled.

Do Laura Geller Products Contain Talc?

Talc’s popularity as a cosmetic and personal care product ingredient has been hit by safety concerns over whether it contained harmful contaminants such as asbestos, a known carcinogen. Despite this, talc endures as a makeup component, being used by several brands, including the American cosmetics company Laura Geller.

Many Laura Geller products contain talc. In its powder-based products such as foundation, blush, highlighter, and bronzer, talc is a primary ingredient, alongside mica and dimethicone.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral commonly used as an ingredient in cosmetics. In this article, I will go t ough everything that you need to know about Talc, including its benefits and the negative health concerns that it is now suspected of.

Why Do Cosmetic Brands Use Talc?

A quick and accurate way to determine whether a specific makeup product contains talc is to look at the ingredients listed on product labels and product descriptions on online listings. On the Laura Geller website, just scroll down a little on the product page until you get to a dropdown list enumerating everything that comprises the product.

Now, why do makeup companies like Laura Geller use talc?

Cosmetic brands use talc due to its ability to absorb moisture, prevent caking, make facial makeup opaque, and even improve how a product goes on the skin. Think of the smooth texture your skin has after applying powder: that’s most likely talc doing the work. 

What Makeup Products Could Contain Talc?

Several makeup products could contain talc, including foundation, blush, eyeshadow, and of course, face powder. Even eyeliner, mascara, eyebrow pencils, lipstick, and concealer could contain this mineral. So, talc could be found in pretty much an entire makeup routine. 

That said, not all talc has been proven harmful to humans. The main distinction is asbestos-free talc, as opposed to talc with asbestos. I’ll discuss this in more detail a little later in the article, but suffice it to say for now that it’s generally the asbestos-contaminated talc that you should watch out for.

If you’re worried and want to know for sure whether your makeup brand carries talc-free products, check out this handy summary of the results of the FDA’s testing of dozens of cosmetic products for asbestos in 2021. Here are a few products that tested negative for asbestos: a setting powder by Revlon, a blush by Nars, a bronzer by Benefit, and a loose powder by Maybelline New York.

And if you want to avoid talc, just make sure to read the labels on the products you’re looking at buying.

Why Are People Afraid of Talc?

Some people are afraid of using talc because it has been associated with cancer over the years, mainly because of its potential contamination with asbestos, a carcinogen. 

What’s the connection between talc and asbestos, you ask? Both of these minerals are naturally occurring, and they may be found close together in the earth where they are mined. For this reason, talc mining sites must be chosen carefully.

Apprehension over the use of products with talc in them can be traced back to the 1960s, when some studies suggested a possible association between the application of talc-containing powders in the genital area and the occurrence of ovarian cancer, according to the FDA.

The FDA said these studies did not conclusively demonstrate the existence of such a link nor explain what risk factors might have been involved if such a link was indeed present.

  1. Furthermore, in the 1970s, concerns emerged over the potential contamination of talc with asbestos, which when inhaled can cause cancers in and around the lungs, according to the American Cancer Society.
  2. In 1976, the trade association representing the US cosmetic and personal care products industry issued voluntary guidelines stating that talc used in cosmetic products in the country should not contain any detectable amount of asbestos.
  3. Now, in the 21st century, the American Cancer Society tells us that talc that has asbestos is “generally accepted” as being able to cause cancer when inhaled. But the science is not as clear when it comes to the effects of asbestos-free talc.
  4. According to the organization, studies that exposed lab animals like rats, mice, and hamsters to talc without any asbestos have led to mixed results, with some of the subjects showing tumor formation and others not.

So, should you be worried? 

Here are a few things to remember from an authority on cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, says that talc-containing asbestos is “carcinogenic to humans.” On the other hand, asbestos-free talc cannot be classified as such due to limited evidence.

At the same time, talc-based body powder, when used on the genital area, can “possibly” cause cancer, according to the agency. 

Does Talc in Makeup Clog Pores?

Talc in makeup tends to clog pores. Clogged pores lead to acne, so if you’re particularly prone to acne, it may be best to swap out the talc-containing members of your beauty arsenal for some talc-free alternatives. 

Other comedogenic ingredients include common makeup and skincare components like Cetearyl alcohol, coconut oil, and shea butter, according to Acne Clinic NYC.

What Are the Benefits of Talc?

After discussing the substance’s dangers and disadvantages in-depth, you may be wondering why companies are still so adamant about continuing to use it in their products. Well, the reason is talc also offers a wide variety of advantages as well.

The main benefit of talc is its moisture-absorbing quality. This property makes it helpful to use on oily skin while also preventing rashes. It also gives many cosmetic products a silky, creamy texture that we’ve all come to expect and love.

Overall, talc does offer a wide range of benefits, but with so many technological advancements happening in this time and age, many believe it’s time to replace the substance with a generally safer alternative.

Conclusion

Many Laura Geller makeup products contain talc, from its foundation and blush to its highlighter and bronzer. This company is not alone in this category: although some brands have started to phase out their talc-based products due to safety concerns, talc remains a common component of beauty products.

Fears over talc in cosmetics stem from its potential contamination with asbestos, which can cause cancer when inhaled. To be clear, not all talc contains asbestos, but even then, the science is not crystal clear on whether asbestos-free talc is guaranteed to be not a carcinogen. 

Recommended reading: Is Sukin A Good Brand? (Natural Skin Care & Hair Care Products)

Sources

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