Talc Free Makeup: 13 Brands to Shop for a Safer Routine
According to the FDA, the ingredient is often contaminated with traces of asbestos.
By Danielle Fontana Dooley, Associate Director, Digital Content ·
Glossier / MOB Beauty
In 2015, Johnson & Johnson made headlines as its beloved baby powder was linked to asbestos contamination. Some 38,000 lawsuits later, many claiming that trace amounts of asbestos in the talcum powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma in users, the beauty industry is wary of the commonly used ingredient. HBO Max’s Not So Pretty docuseries, released in April of 2022, also spotlights its dangers. Today, the company announced a global discontinuation of its talc-based products and a plan to transition to cornstarch.
While talc itself is a natural mineral, often used to absorb moisture and prevent the caking of makeup products, according to the FDA, the ingredient is often contaminated with traces of asbestos. Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen and per the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary.
Talc is usually listed as a top ingredient in powder makeup products, but is also found in formulas like foundation, concealers and lipsticks. As such, more and more beauty lovers are making the switch to talc-free products. While there are no “clean” regulations on beauty put forth by the FDA, many beauty brands are conducting their own research and making their own standards when it comes to which ingredients they refuse to formulate with. If you’re looking for makeup products that are free of talc, try these brands.
From the brand’s latest launch—Skin Smoothing Perfecting Powder ($39)—to its best-selling pigmented shadow palettes, harmful talc is subbed with innovative ingredients like oil-absorbing China clay, hydrating phytosqualane and mica brand-wide for all of the pigment and none of the worry.
Along with its iconic millennial-pink branding and minimalistic approach to beauty, Glossier—it recently launched in Sephora—offers an impressive lineup of pigmented complexion, lip and lid products—all free of talc.
Gaga fans rejoice: the singer-actress’ viral makeup brand doesn’t just look picture perfect, it’s made without more than 2,700 questionable ingredients, talc included.
Along with other potentially harmful ingredients like GMO’s and phthalates, this minimalistic beauty brand promises to never use talc in their formulas. For a second-skin tinted moisturizer that also offers SPF 36, try their Slip Tint ($36). For a brightening, hydrating concealer option, newly released Hydrabeam ($26) is making waves.
Pegged as makeup for skin-care freaks, this skin-loving lineup is totally free of talc and 2,700 other harmful ingredients. Social media can’t get enough of the newly launched Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation ($42), and their silky Cloud Set Powder ($35) can’t be beat for setting makeup or blurring pores.
You might know ILIA for its celebrity-adored Super Serum Skin Tint ($48), but this top-notch brand offers a lineup of talc-free makeup mainstays such as a finely milled Bronzing Powder ($34) and perfectly curated Eyeshadow Palettes ($40), too.
Along with parabens, sulfates, BHA, BPA, plastic microbeads and others, talc is on Milk Makeup’s will-never-use list. The hydrating yet anchoring Hydro Grip Primer ($38) is a must-try for humid summer months, and the RISE Mascara ($28) keeps lashes lifted and lengthened all night.
Made famous for its creamy, potted uncoverup Concealer and Lip2Cheek products ($26), the clean brand also offers foundation, primers, oils, blush and everything in between. Not only free of talc, the entire line is free of parabens, gluten, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, sulfates and pthalates.
You know this brand for its innovative, customizable palettes —choose from Shadows to Bronzer—and earth-first packaging, but its formulations are also top notch. Free of hazards including carbon black, talc, gluten and parabens, this makeup brand is one to feel good about.
It makes sense that a beauty brand designed for sensitive skin would ban talc from its ingredient list, but that’s just the beginning. Tower 28’s“no-no list” is extensive, and includes everything from harmful allergens to common irritants.
While the minimalist makeup brand has not released any official statement regarding talc, many of the brand’s best-selling products are completely free of the harmful ingredient. On our forever wish lists: Flush Balm ($30), Bronze Balm ($30) and the new Solo Shadow ($24).
Brainchild of celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman, this line of top-shelf products has an expert’s seal of approval. Many of her products are also free of talc, including the cult-classic Vital Skin Complexion Stick ($68), and the sinks-right-in Face Trace contour stick ($48) and Baby Cheeks ($48) cream blush.
Along with 2,800 other questionable ingredients, beautycounter has pledged to formulate without talc. Some favorites: the superfine Mattifying Powder ($43), the best-selling Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation, available in 27 shades ($52) and the creamy yet pigmented Lid Glow Cream Shadows ($28 each).
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