Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. That environment includes where you live, work, play, and pray. We reject and actively push back against racist rhetoric, actions, policies and institutional oppression that leads to state-sanctioned brutality, gun violence, and harm that again and again assaults communities, particularly communities of color. We are committed to working for justice and equity, and are in solidarity with social, racial, and environmental justice organizations to build community, understanding and honest dialogue to address the root causes of violence, harm and hate.

Which Companies Continue to Sell Talc-Based Baby Powders?

Which Companies Continue to Sell Talc-Based Baby Powders?

Alex Scranton
Director of Science
and Research

For decades, doctors and scientists have raised concerns that using talc-based powders is leading to ovarian cancer and respiratory disease like mesothelioma. In fact, thousands of women have sued Johnson & Johnson (J&J) — manufacturers of one of the most popular baby powders on the market – for the negative impacts that use of its baby powder has had on their health. (And increasingly they are winning those cases!) So after years of denial and doubling down, J&J finally decided in 2020 to reformulate its baby powder in the U.S., replacing the talc with safer cornstarch.

This made us wonder – just how late is J&J to the party? They have only just announced (May 2020) that they will reformulate in the U.S. – and plan to *sell down any existing talc-based powder currently on store shelves until it’s gone. And, outrageously, Johnson & Johnson refuses to stop selling its talc-based powder in other countries.

But how does J&J’s decision compare to other companies selling talc-based powders?

To get the answer, we took a look at our list of 28 powder products we identified in a 2017 blog that — at the time — still contained talc. 

Overall WVE’s data found a significant shift in the body powder market – 22 of the 28 products (78%!) originally identified in 2017 as containing talc are now either off the market, or reformulated with cornstarch.

These companies simply weren’t waiting for the market leader to lead!

The good news: Most companies recognized the risk (both to women’s health and their reputations) and made the business decision to remove talc from their products. The bad news: The #1 seller of baby powder (J&J), as well as a few other manufacturers are still laggards, and continue to expose their customers to talc.

Know any products you think we missed that still contain talc? Let us know and we will look into it!

For additional details, click here.

Product Discontinued Brand/ Manufacturer Product Name 2017: Product contains talc 2020: Product contains talc

Sell Down*

Notes
Ammens Ammens Medicated Deoderant Powder YES

NO

yes
Ammens Ammens Medicated Deoderant Powder Shower Fresh YES

NO

Specifically marketed, advertised as 100% talc-free
Shower to Shower Absorbent Body Powder Morning Fresh Lavender YES

NO

Manufacturer, Bausch, removed talc in Feb 2019
Shower to Shower Absorbent Body Powder Original Fresh YES

NO

Manufacturer, Bausch, removed talc in Feb 2019
Anti Monkey Butt Women’s: Anti Friction Powder YES

NO

Anti Monkey Butt Men’s: Anti Friction Powder YES

YES

Men’s anti monkey butt powder contains talc but women’s baby powder is cornstarch based.
Johnson & Johnson Johnson’s Baby Powder Original YES

NO

yes J&J will stop making with talc in US – but will sell down product and continue international sales
Johnson & Johnson Johnson’s Baby Powder YES

NO

yes J&J will stop making with talc in US – but will sell down product and continue international sales
Zeasorb Super Absorbent Powder YES

YES

Available on Amazon, Walmart
yes Arden Beauty Elizabeth Arden White Shoulders Body Radiance Perfumed Body Powder YES YES yes Product discontinued, but remaining stock still being sold down in retail chains
yes Arden Beauty Elizabeth Arden Red Door Body Powder for Women YES YES yes Product discontinued, but remaining stock still being sold down in retail chains
yes Elizabeth Taylor Passion Body Powder for Women YES YES yes Product discontinued, but remaining stock still being sold down in retail chains
yes Dana Chantilly Dana Chantilly Dusting Powder YES YES yes Product discontinued, but remaining stock still being sold on Ebay & Amazon
Shower to Shower Sport Absorbant Body Powder YES

NO

Manufacturer, Bausch, removed talc in Feb 2019
yes Shower to Shower Absorbant Body Powder, Breeze Fresh with Vanilla Essence YES n/a
yes Shower to Shower Absorbant Body Powder, Island Fresh YES n/a
Equate Mild Baby Powder YES

NO

Personal Care Pure Baby Powder YES

NO

Out of stock most places. Talc free version on Ebay
Caldesene Protecting Powder Fresh Scent Talc YES

NO

Angel of Mine Angel of Mine Baby Powder YES

NO

Perfect Purity Soft and Silky Baby Powder YES

NO

yes Talc version sell down still available on Amazon – New talc free version exists
Perfect Purity After shower depderant body powder with talc- lavender scent YES

NO

Assured Lavender & Fresh Scent shower & bath body powder YES

YES

Assured Shower & Bath body powder with chamomile YES

YES

Yardley London Lily of the Valley Perfumed Talc YES

YES

Yardley London Scented Talc Powder, English Rose YES

YES

yes My Fair Baby Premium Baby Powder YES n/a
Well Beginnings YES

NO

Leave a Reply

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons