This year a big goal of mine is to make sure our family is using cleaner products. When Truth About Talc reached out to me to help spread awareness of the dangers of talc, I was proud to partner with them!

So first of all, you might be wondering what exactly talc is? It’s basically a mineral that’s composed of different elements, mainly magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Asbestos, a dangerous substance known to cause cancer, can also be found in talc naturally-yes you read that right ASBESTOS. Products like cosmetics, dry shampoo, baby powder, laundry detergents, deodorants, and arts and craft supplies regularly contain talc. It’s so important to be aware of the ingredients that are used in the products. Especially those we’re putting on our bodies and our babies’ bodies!

Talc Linked to Ovarian Cancer

Here are the eye-opening facts:

• 2/3rds of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will lose their life to the disease annually.
• 1 in 5 women uses talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
• 2,500 cases of ovarian cancer are caused by talc, and 1,500 of those women will die each year.
• There are over 35 studies that link talc to ovarian cancer.
• J&J has known about the harmful effects of talc since at least the 1970’s (internal documentation was found).

The scariest part is that talc particles can remain in your body for YEARS even after you stop using it. That means that women who used baby powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine may have talc particles in their ovarian tissues. Those particles cause inflammation in the ovarian tissues that allow cancer cells to form and spread.

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder

As a mama, it’s always a priority to be mindful of the products I’m putting on my babies. Everything we put on our skin is instantly absorbed into our body, and babies’ systems are extra delicate. Did you know that pediatricians no longer encourage parents to use baby powder on infants due to adverse health effects (but there are still so many companies putting talc in products that so many people unknowingly use)? In 2019 Johnson & Johnson (who has spent years insisting that its baby powder is safe btw) had to recall 33,000 bottles of the product after the FDA discovered asbestos in one of the bottles-you can read the full article here.

What makes it even worse is that according to a Reuters Investigation , internal documents showed that the company’s powder was tainted with carcinogenic asbestos and that J&J kept that information from regulators and the public. So basically, they’ve known about it for DECADES and never said anything. That is not OK!!

Talcum powder has been banned from condoms and medical gloves in the United States. Yet, we are still directly applying it to our skin!?

Toss the Talc

Now that you know about all of the dangers associated with talc, you probably feel pretty overwhelmed. I want to encourage you to start by going through your products and tossing anything that contains talc immediately. When you buy replacements, please make sure to read the ingredients and avoid anything that contains talc. If you don’t know where to start, the Truth About Talc Instagram highlights lots of amazing clean products.

Use Your Voice

As consumers, we have a powerful voice that needs to be heard. Boycott companies like Johnson & Johnson that use harmful ingredients in their products. Tell your friends and family about the toxic nature of talc, and together we can let our dollars speak for us. We deserve better products, and so do our children! Please join me and sign the petition to #tossthetalc for the safety of women and children around the world. Click here. It only takes two seconds to make a difference!

If you’re interested in learning more, please visit https://truthabouttalc.com/