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Beauty ingredient · Absorbent / filler

Talc

CAS
14807-96-6

A soft mineral powder used in body powders, makeup and some medicines; it can be contaminated with asbestos if not tested.

  • Expert review pending
High concern Level 3 of 4 How concern levels work

A regulatory warning or restriction somewhere, or strong evidence of harm at typical intake. The concern level sets how many points talc costs on a product’s receipt.

What the evidence says

  • IARC Group 2A (probably carcinogenic)Regulatory

    IARC classified talc as Group 2A in 2024, based on limited evidence in humans (ovarian cancer) and sufficient evidence in animals. Cosmetic body powders are the best-documented exposure. [1][2][3]

  • Possible asbestos contaminationRegulatory

    California lists talc containing asbestiform fibers under Proposition 65; the FDA withdrew its proposed asbestos-testing rule for talc cosmetics in 2025. [4][5]

Evidence tiers say how sure the evidence is, separately from how much it matters. About evidence tiers.

Rules around the world

WhereStatusDetailsDateSource
Canada Restricted Not permitted in products intended solely for the genital area; limits in loose powders, with a warning. — [6]
United States Under review The FDA withdrew its proposed rule on asbestos testing of talc cosmetics on November 28, 2025. Nov 28, 2025 [5]

“Banned” means explicitly prohibited or withdrawn after review; “not permitted” means never authorized there. We use each regulator’s own words.

Popular products that list talc

1 of the 17,000 most-scanned products in the US with a GoodSwap page list talc.

Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (7)
  • talc
  • talcum
  • ci 77718
  • talc powder
  • cosmetic talc
  • talcum powder
  • magnesium silicate hydrate

Sources

  1. Carcinogenicity of talc and acrylonitrile (IARC Monographs Vol. 136 working group summary)

    The Lancet Oncology · August 2024 · IARC

    doi.org

  2. IARC Monographs evaluate the carcinogenicity of talc and acrylonitrile (Press Release No. 352)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · Jul 5, 2024 · IARC

    “General population exposure through the use of talc-containing cosmetics and body powders is best documented; however, exposure through food, drugs, and other consumer products is likely, although less well documented.”

    iarc.who.int

  3. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  4. Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity

    California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) · Jul 31, 2026 · Law

    “The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”

    oehha.ca.gov

  5. Testing Methods for Detecting and Identifying Asbestos in Talc-Containing Cosmetic Products; Withdrawal (90 FR 54603)

    Federal Register (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) · Nov 28, 2025 · Regulator

    “The proposed rule published December 27, 2024 (89 FR 105490) is withdrawn as of November 28, 2025.”

    federalregister.gov

  6. Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: prohibited and restricted ingredients

    Health Canada · Aug 13, 2025 · Regulator

    “The following ingredients are only permitted in cosmetic products under the conditions of use specified below:”

    canada.ca