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

FDA. (2019, October 18). FDA Advises Consumers to Stop Using Certain Cosmetic Products. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-recalls-alerts/fda-advises-consumers-stop-using-certain-cosmetic-products EPA. (2020, September 25). Asbestos Laws and Regulations. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/asbestos-laws-and-regulations Gordon, R.E., Fitzgerald, S. & Millette, J. (2014). Asbestos in commercial cosmetic talcum powder as a cause of mesothelioma in women. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25185462/ 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.

Not sure if you need setting powder of finishing powder? Some brands actually use these terms interchangeably, which makes things a bit more confusing. However, setting powder is typically what you use on top of foundation to ensure it doesn’t go anywhere. It also helps to reduce shine. Finishing powder is similar but it’s for a specific purpose. If you’re going to be photographed and want to have that flawless airbrushed look, finishing powder blurs your fine lines and wrinkles perfectly. While setting powder can be tinted or translucent, finishing powders are typically white. Stoiber, T., Fitzgerald, S. & Leiba, N.S. (2020, November 24). Asbestos Contamination in Talc-Based Cosmetics: An Invisible Cancer Risk. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1178630220976558 Congress. (n.d.). S.717 - Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/717/committees Asbestos in makeup falls in a grey area of the law. There is no law that regulates asbestos in talc, and the FDA can’t do anything about it unless scientific data shows it is harmful under its intended use. This is hard to prove given the long latency period associated with asbestos-related diseases. How to Know if Your Makeup Has Asbestos 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.

FDA. (2020, August 18). Talc. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc 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. State of California Department of Justice. (2021, June 7). Attorney General Bonta Secures Settlement with EPA to Protect Americans from One of the World’s Most Toxic Substances. Retrieved from https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-secures-settlement-epa-protect-americans-one-world%E2%80%99s-mostParents can protect their children from asbestos in makeup by buying only cosmetics free of talc. It’s up to consumers to protect themselves and their children from this risk because the government isn’t doing enough to regulate asbestos. What Does Asbestos-Free Actually Mean? Use to set and perfect makeup or alone as a foundation. Includes powder puff applicator. Ingredients