to be surprised that Johnsons baby powder still contains talc

[BlackMarigold]

Why wouldn't they substitute it for corn starch?
I know there's no definite evidence that talc causes ovarian cancer but there've been persistent concerns over the years and recent compensation award.

"I really need to buy some talc. How does it help with getting socks on?"

Because it helps dry damp feet the way a towel can't. I'm amazed you didn't know this.

I used it all the time on Dds when they were babies after they'd had a bath, this is early 90s. It did used to make them smell nice and it helped them dry off.
I do vaguely remember knowing that you shouldn't let them breath it in, so I'd put a little In my hands then sweep it over them- not their vulva area though.
We also used it after swimming lessons and on the beach.
I haven't bought any for years but the smell of it reminds me so much of them as babies.

Burt's Bees Baby Bees Powder is talc-free and smells amazing. I choose to believe that talc-free is fine for an adult, if mucous membranes are avoided.

Yes it is ass hole if you want to be crude. I don't see the issue with nice names tbh.

Nope really didn't bunbaker.i can't quite imagine powder being drying without being clagy. Or not messy at least.

It really is another of those things where a whole bunch of mumsnetters think it's what everyone does and another bunch not at all having a clue!

Doesn't it get all over the changing room floor? I am going to have to get talc as I really haven't a clue.

(does anyone else put talc on their feet?)

"Doesn't it get all over the changing room floor"

That comment had just bought back horrific memories of years of swimming lessons with DDs. And yes the changing room floor was virtually white!
There was even a notice asking people to not get talc everywhere. that didn't work

This was the late 90s/ early 2000s.

Just don't use it to get on leather trousers when you are hot and sweaty and have already tried baby oil...

I remember being really tiny and my mom covering me everywhere in talc after every bath or wash. Im an 80's child so not everyone heard it, all my friends always used talc too.
The only worry about talc i have now is breathing it in when i use it in my hair, however doctors said i would have to breathe in a looooooit of it.....

I grew up with talc. Loved the smell of Johnsons talcum powder. Lovely and cosy after a bath/shower. Helps to dry you off. I used to buy it for my older children but never deliberately put it near their private parts [ didnt have girls]. With my little ones now, i don't use it because of all the adverse publicity about it causing cancer. I have had talc on the odd occasion and my children love it. We also loved it as children. Surely they wouldnt still sell it, especially to children and babies if there were definetly a risk?

Genuine question - why don't people just dry babies and fannies with a towel?

Why would you want to put powder - corn or talc - anywhere? What an odd thing to do!! Never had a sweat rash in my life. Why is the world so obsessed with obliterating natural smells?

Anyway, this has been rumoured for years. If you want to put carcinogenic powder on your fanny then knock yourself out. But babies don't have a choice so I think it's very, very wrong.

I think generally people do dry themselves with a towel.

However, fungal infections flourish in damp environments and it is easier to dry yourself properly with talc.

Obviously people used to powder baby's bottoms to prevent nappy rash. Advances in nappy tecnology (reusable and disposable) mean that is no longer such a problem.

As far as I know gymnasts, climbers and weight lifters still put powder (although I don't think it's talc) on their hands to prevent sweating.

I also use flour on my hands when I make bread to absorb moisture from the dough.

There is nothing particularly sinister about using powder to absorb moisture. Odd to use it inside your body, but there doesn't seem to be much evidence on this thread of that kind of use.

I just use a towel at home, but I don't put my clothes on immediately after drying as I go back to my bedroom first and moisturise, brush hair etc then I'm completely dry. Whereas at the swimming pool I need to dry and change as fast as possible and a bit of talc means jeans and socks go on a lot easier than they do over slightly damp, towel-dry skin.

"I think generally people do dry themselves with a towel.

However, fungal infections flourish in damp environments and it is easier to dry yourself properly with talc."

This ^^

I always use a towel to dry myself. However, after swimming, even having dried my feet thoroughly with a towel they aren't bone dry. Using a tiny bit of talc, just makes them properly dry and much easier to put socks on. At home I just walk around in bare feet after drying them and they dry properly on their own, but in a changing room with a damp floor that just isn't possible.

Oh, and I manage not to get talc everywhere because I pat it on my feet with my hands, over my towel, so any residue falls on the towel and not on the floor.

Cross posted WhoKnows

several decades of life, quite a few babies - no fungal infections and no significant nappy rash.

Honestly - powder just isn't necessary! How bizarre!!!

corn starch can be explosive

Lucky you!

However plenty of people do get fungal infections, and it is easier and more pleasant to get dressed quickly when you are completely dry.

And there is no evidence that putting talc on your feet causes cancer.

merry what, like all the other "no evidence"?

Enough for it to be a "probable" carcinogen. I think that says enough.

I think for J and J not to now replace the talc with cornstarch, is criminal. People use this stuff on baby's bottoms.

Burts bees powder is nice

Pretty sure gymnasts and weight lifters etc use chalk dust. Well they did back in the early 90s when I did went to gymnastics.

*did went .