Talcum powder!

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Anyone notice how hard it is (and very expensive), to find normal talcum powder?

Lots of baby powder, but that’s not talcum powder, just a version of corn starch instead.

Has something happened and I’ve missed the news on this?

it was linked with cancer

Yardley still do it, in shops and online

It’s no longer a popular product.

Press reports claiming it can be carcinogenic has impacted demand dramatically.
Although not proven although some studies have shown a slight increase in ovarian cancer in women using it on their genital area.

Talc can also be harmful when inhaled frequently.

I must admit I’ve never seen the point of it although it was useful to get sand off the dc’s feet when they were small!

I can't imagine not using talcum powder. Maybe because I'm originally from a different country, where it it commonly used.

@Fiery30 if you don't mind me asking, what is it actually used for? I think I have vague memories of having it out on my after a bath as a kid, but what does it do?! (Genuine question, I haven't seen it in years and now wonder if I'm missing out!)

I love Johnson's baby powder when I take my bra off.

well, I don't really know if it is sound research or not, but the links I have seen made were about other forms of cancer, lungs, skin, breast, etc.

I suppose the lung one might have some validity - inhaling powder of any description is not good, is it

I can't manage without talc! I hate that sticky just got out of the shower feeling, once I'm talc'd up, my clothes slip on and I feel clean.
It's as fundamental to me as cleaning my teeth is.

I bought some Yardley talc from T K Maxx in the autumn

Agreed! Talc can irritate tissues- particularly lungs. It can also contain traces of asbestos (a similar mineral) harmful to lungs.

That said talc is still widely used in cosmetic products- face powder for example and in the manufacture of some medicines/ tablets.

The slightly antibacterial stuff in the old fashioned metal dispenser (cuticura?) seems to be on offer every where. It's £1.25 in boots atm, I bought 6.

I agree it's hard to find real talc, if I wanted corn starch I'd buy that.

What’s the difference between talc and baby powder?

I think Avon still sell talcum powder, although a much smaller range than they used to.

Talc is the least of people’s worries, by the amount of people vaping and smoking.

Can’t beat talc on feet after the beach to remove sand

Baby powder doesn’t contain talc.

The link between some cancers in women who frequently use talc is not scientifically proven, although studies are on going.

The difficulty is that talc was widely used amongst women of a certain age (recall bias).

Its rare for powders to contain the mineral talc these days.
It’s used in the production of other products with little inhalation risk- tablets, make up etc.

All baby powder is now a corn starch formula, and does not contain talc at all.

My local Boots have cuticura at an eye watering price. Which I have paid! The retail assistant there told me that they don’t know when they’ll have it back in stock.

I use it for sweating, under my big boobs, it’s fantastic. Also stick a bit on my oily roots, though it only works on light hair otherwise it stands out.

My DF never wore deodorant in his life, only ever talc, he had very physical jobs and never smelt of bo at all.

One word- Asbestos!

This is just 1 article, but I thought it was banned years ago due to this!
https://www.asbestos.com/products/talcum-powder/#:~:text=Not%20every%20talc%20deposit%20contains,most%2Dused%20type%20of%20asbestos.

One (talc) can be bypassed quite easily- there are loads of alternative products for chafing,rashes or sweating which are proven safe; in fact the few “talcum powders” available no longer contain talc, and the other (nicotine) is a highly addictive drug with significant withdrawal symptoms!

I use it on holiday to help dry off quickly and also helps stop sweating eg under boobs, chub rub. I think the stuff I use is corn starch rather than talc. Previously bought from Lush - just got some off Amazon which I'm hoping arrives tomorrow. It lasts me for ages as I only use on holiday or sometimes at home if it's really hot (3 days a year!)

I adore talcum powder. I use Yardley English rose the most and discovered last year that used as a face powder with a dusting brush, make up stays on all day.

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/johnsonandjohnson-cancer/

It helps to soak up sweat and lessens friction in areas that are prone to rubbing. Good for body odour as they are scented. Very useful in hot summers too, though I use it all year round. There are specific cooling ones to protect against rashes or prickly heat also.

The new baby powder with corn starch is rank-actually end up breathing in far more as it just flies everywhere. It’s disgusting and hangs around in a cloud for ages 🤮