Talc
Severity 5/10Comedogenic 1/5absorbent · texturizer
Is Talc safe?
Talc carries moderate concerns worth knowing about (cancer concern).
In plain language
A mineral powder at the center of major litigation and a 2024 IARC upgrade to 'probably carcinogenic'. Regulators specifically warn against powder use on babies (inhalation risk); cornstarch is the standard substitute.
A Caredermis plain-language explanation to help you read the label — not a regulator statement. The sourced facts are the classifications and status shown on this page.
Documented concerns
Each concern below is drawn from official data — see the cited sources ↓
Cancer concern
5/10IARC reclassified talc as probably carcinogenic (2A) in 2024; historic asbestos contamination drives concern.
Official regulatory status
Pulled directly from official regulatory datasets and expert reviews — not our own judgement.
Guidance by skin profile
Caredermis editorial guidance based on the concerns above — checked against the official records on every build, but not itself a regulator statement.
- Sensitive skinNo specific concern
- Oily & acne-proneNo specific concern
- Dry skinNo specific concern
- PregnancyNo specific concern
- Babies & kidsBest avoided
- Eczema-proneNo specific concern
Sources
Each authority below is shown only because our ingested copy of its data lists Talc — not because we asserted it. Follow a link to verify the classification or regulation directly.
CIR conclusion from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Quick Reference Table — cir-safety.org (snapshot in data/sources/)(point-in-time snapshot; CIR's live record may have been updated since).
See our methodology for how these map to concern levels. Informational only — not medical advice.
Products in our library containing Talc
- Mont St MichelSavon Cologne Douceur Authentique
- Yves RocherCrème Mains Hydratante Pur Arnica
- henkelSavon crème surgras
- henkelHydratant Matifiant Soin de jour PH7
- L'OREAL NORGE ASMaybelline New York Lasting Fix Make-up Setting Spray
- BorotalcoInvisible Deodorant Roller
- Yves RocherCrème Mains Hydratante Longue Durée
- La ProvencalePoudre de teint lumières d'ocres
- Colgate-PalmoliveSanex Men natur protect®
- Yves RocherCube pétillant pour le bain Vanille
- CienCrème de jour cien
- DoveAdvanced Care Original Anti-Transpirant Stick
Related ingredients
Ingredients with a similar role or shared type of concern — useful for comparing what's on your label.
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