To think cosmetic companies should stop using cancerous ingredients?

[HelenHen]

It seems most people still aren't aware of the potential link between talc and cancer. Talc is the main ingredient in many make-up products.

Asbestos has been banned in construction for decades. Yet it's OK for women to put it on their faces?

I've been reading about this for years now and can't believe it's still a thing.

This is well worth a read if you didn't already know about this

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/jun/10/is-there-asbestos-in-your-makeup-why-women-with-cancer-are-suing-big-beauty-brands

Although not necessarily a proven risk to developing cancer, but I also wonder about all spray face products. Surely a lot of those products are breathed in during use? Can't be good. Some sunscreens and face mists and hair spray products too.

I often think that too, and I'm very weird about using them 😂 how can it possibly bo good?

Scary read. Just checked the boots face powders I've been using for decades and talc is listed first. Never thought about this before. Going to research more and look for alternatives

I didn't mean to scare anyone but it's shocking that we don't all know about this. If it was a man issue, it would be all over every news source.

That J&J Have 10s of thousands of law suits against them, yet they continue to deny, and their products are still everywhere 😳

I rarely use any make up because of this. The occasional bit of cream blush if I look deathly ill.

I think most people look nicest with very minimal make up for everyday anyway

Whilst these reasons are fair and valid, I'm more concerned about the quality of air nowadays. On one recent trip to town. I was subject to the following, vape vapours, cigarettes and a fair few people smoking weed. You can choose what to put on your skin, unless I shop exclusively online, I don't have a choice but to breath e in the emissions from the aforementioned

I don't really wear makeup at all tbh but didn't know the links to cancer in it

why do women use cosmetics at all? Just stop using them. Problem solved

Same with parabens.
Stop putting that shit in everything!

Thanks for posting op, I wasn't aware of talc in make up in relation to cancer. Also @GoodAfternoonGoodEveningAndGoodnight what's Parabens and what are they in?

This thread is an education.

Parabens is an additive and a known allergen and irritant when it comes to skin products and cosmetics - gets in everything, from mascara, to moisturiser, to bubble bath to bath bombs.

I had no clue about that. Thank you. Its scary to think about what's in stuff we use daily.

I just read the article - terrifying! I'll definitely be going through my make-up bag and checking everything. Good excuse to buy some new stuff 😉

That's true as well, and not forgetting exhaust fumes. (Which are far more concentrated if you are in a car than walking)

But I think most people are aware of that issue. The makeup one seems strangely hidden. You 'd think women's magazines would be all over it. But I guess their primary goal is to sell product.

I think you have to breathe the talc in, I don’t make a habit of inhaling my face powder.

There will be tiny particles though. They aren't suggesting it only impacts people who snort the stuff

But it's fine if you'd want to keep using it. We each have to make our own judgement call about risks. As someone else said, air pollution is dire anyway so we all breathe in carcinogens every day , particularly those who live in cities

I would, if I thought I looked in any way ok without it. Sadly I am bombarded everywhere I go with images of women caked in makeup and my face looks unpresentable without it. I wish I had the mental strength to feel ok as I am but I don't.

I’ve never worn much makeup - did go through a phase of trying to workout how to do eye makeup in my forties - except lipstick, really. But when you read something like this it does bring you up short. It’s so casual, so hidden. Ugh. And would largely only affect women. Makes me think the cosmetics industry is a sexist load of shit. But, I’m conflicted because some of it is a lot of fun.

Over the last few years I’ve stripped down a lot of things I used to use (shower gel, shampoo, fabric conditioner etc etc) for environmental reasons. Less is better I think and this is only one example but it makes you think.

Normally I would agree but actually tens of thousands of men have been killed by asbestos from working in construction or car mechanics. The dangers were known but kept hidden for years. Asbestos deaths affect men roughly 5x more than women. My mother lost a very dear male friend to mesothelioma due to asbestos. Thank you for your post though I’ve just frantically checked all my cosmetics! It is shocking that the dangers are now known and talc is still being sold. Why can’t the U.K. government simply ban it?

I have been using the Yuka app, it's not just for food you can use it for beauty products too. It's helping me decide which products I will aim to use in the future, it's a downer though, when I discover something I have been using for ages and love has a 'hazardous' ingredient.

Well if people stopped obsessing about looks and refused to buy them it would make more sense

If it was a man issue...

The miners in the talc mines are men. How do you think they're health is doing working and breathing in a talc mines?

So the article mentions asbestos in the lungs and stomach - I'm presuming you have to either inhale or ingest the makeup to cause problems. So powders and lipstick are dangerous, but mascara is okay?

Does anyone know if it's repeated use or if literally one use of face powder in your whole life would be enough? Or eg kissing someone wearing it?

Helpful comment.

Really awful OP! I totally agree. I will be reviewing all my makeup products and buying new where necessary. It will likely be expensive but I'd rather that than be taking in asbestos.

I read an article about a woman who became concerned about some "play" cosmetics marketed at kids she had bought for her daughter. She sent them off for testing and the eyeshadow came back showing asbestos. Shocking.