Talc

Other Name(s):

Magnesium Silicate; French Chalk; Talcum; Talcum Powder

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. It is mined extensively in China, Pakistan and Canada. There are two operational Talc mines in South Africa.

Benefits: Why is Talc used?

Absorbs Moisture

Talc absorbs moisture and is therefore used in deodorants to reduce chafing of the underarms or in food items to prevent caking.

Perfects Texture

Talc is the softest mineral on earth and gives a silky texture to make up powders and blushes which makes them easier to apply

Absorbs Oils

Talc absorbs oils for less skin shine.

Filler

Talc is used to products to act as a filler and because it can dilute pigments and make make up products appear more translucent.

Learn more about Talc:

On the Shelf: Which Products Use Talc?

Talc is used very extensively in makeup powders like blush, foundations, eye shadows and so on. It has also found use in antiperspirants, exfoliating scrubs, foot powders, dry shampoos and more.

Production: How is Talc Made?

Talc is mined in sheets from deposits beneath the earth. After which, it is milled into a fine powder for use. The powder is then subject to batch testing to ensure that no detectable levels of asbestos are present.

Interesting Fact: Talc

Concerns about the safety of Talc center around asbestos contamination which occurs naturally in some deposits. The World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies Talc which contains no detectable asbestos as not carcinogenic to humans but reports that Talc applied to the perineum is “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B).

One of the three remaining Talc mines in South Africa was shut down in 2019 after 111 years of continuous operation after it was vandalized and no longer financially viable.

Talc is used in ultra-strong plastics to make motor cars more lightweight and fuel efficient.