Talcum
Talcum is a layered silicate that occurs very frequently in nature. The mineral is extremely soft and can even be scratched with the fingernail. Other common names are magnesium silicate hydrate, steatite, or soapstone. Talcum has been known since ancient times, and there are far more than 2,000 sites worldwide. In Germany, the mineral is found in the Black Forest, Lower Bavaria, Sauerland and Siegerland (North Rhine-Westphalia), Odenwald (Hesse) and the Ore Mountains. It is mined here and then processed according to its intended use. It is water-repellent and in powdered form is also called Talcumum powder. The insoluble crystals can be ground very well. Due to its special properties and advantages, powdered Talcum is very versatile. For example, it is used as a filler in the paper and pulp industry, as a release agent in cables and as an additive in the rubber, plastics and ceramics industries. In addition, Talcum is an officially approved food additive, which is declared with the E-number E 533 b. However, Talcum is neither absorbed nor metabolised by the human organism. If it is contained in food as E 533 b, it is excreted by the body completely and unchanged. In this context, Talcum is therefore also considered absolutely harmless, which means that no ADI value (“Acceptable Daily Intake”) has been set. The ADI value describes the tolerable daily intake that a person can take in without having to reckon with damage to health. Talcum is therefore also permitted for use in organic food. It can be found as E 533 b, for example, in dried foods, table salt, food supplements and seasonings. Among other things, it ensures that the products remain free-flowing and do not clump together when used.
Talcum: controversial and discredited for a long time
Talcum has been used in cosmetics for a very long time, mainly in powder-based products. These are mostly body and face powders such as deodorants, compact powders or bronzers, but also blushers and eyeliner pencils. Talcum is also an important ingredient in baby powder, although powdering the nappy area is now considered unnecessary thanks to modern disposable nappies. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has even recommended a general ban on baby powder, as it could possibly cause lung damage in babies if inhaled in large quantities. And Talcumum powder was also discredited in cosmetics some time ago, as the powdered mineral was considered to be highly carcinogenic. But there are opposing views on this. Professor Claus Kroegel, head of the Department of Pneumology and Allergology/Immunology (University Hospital Jena), for example, sees no connection between Talcumum and cancer. He considers the thesis that Talcum is as dangerous and carcinogenic as asbestos to be a widespread and fatal error. After all, he says, new studies have shown that Talcumum powder in its original form was indeed contaminated with asbestos, which led to an increased risk of cancer. However, the powder that is used today is not carcinogenic, since it is free of asbestos in its purified form. Bernd Kerschner, Department of Evidence-Based Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology (Danube University Krems), also explained that only asbestos-free Talcum has been used in cosmetics since 1976. According to today’s knowledge, there is therefore no longer any reason to regard Talcumum powder as a problem substance in principle. However, the powder was classified as “possibly carcinogenic” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2006. However, this only refers to its use in the genital area.
After all, Talcumum is still used in medicine. For example, it is indispensable in pleurodesis, a surgical procedure in which the lung pleura is joined to the pleura to avert a pneumothorax or pleural effusion. In dentistry, Talcum is an important filler for rigid impression materials, and it also proves useful in the use of diaphragms and condoms.
In principle, very strict regulations apply to Talcumum. According to Annex IV No. 1 of the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances, mineral raw materials must not contain more than 0.1 percent asbestos. This regulation generally applies to all processing stages, from extraction to production of the powder.
What is asbestos anyway?
Asbestos is the collective term for fibrous crystallised silicate minerals that are heat- and acid-resistant, insulate very well and are extremely strong. For many decades, asbestos played an important role in industry and trade: for example, in construction in the field of thermal insulation, in the car tyre industry, but also in the manufacture of protective work textiles. But its use led to serious damage to health. The lung disease asbestosis was discovered as early as 1900. Since 1943, lung cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos has been recognised as an occupational disease.
However, asbestos has only been officially classified as carcinogenic since 1970, and the production and use of asbestos has been generally banned in Germany since 1995.
The cosmetic uses of Talcum powder
In cosmetics, asbestos-free Talcum can be used in many different ways. Since the powder is able to optimally absorb fat and moisture, it is still a useful and effective ingredient in face and body powders. Talcumum has excellent adhesion to the skin as well as good absorption capacity for a wide variety of oils. The powder convinces with an enormous gliding ability, has a slightly alkaline pH value and is basically inert to most chemical reagents. In body powder, Talcumum assumes the function of a perfume carrier, giving the user a wonderfully soft and cooling skin feeling. It can also prevent painful skin rubs and inhibit bad odours (for example on the feet).
The powder can also play to its strengths in coloured cosmetic products, as it improves the luminosity, intensity and tinting of colours. For example, it is often used for coloured eye shadow and rouge. When Talcum is used for deodorant powder, it makes the skin feel pleasant and dry.
In addition, Talcumum powder is a frequent ingredient in dry shampoos, as it makes the hair look as if it has been freshly washed after only a short application time. The powder is particularly suitable for products against greasy or quickly greasy hair. After application, the hair falls beautifully loose.
In face and body powders as well as rouge, the Talcumum content is usually at least 80 percent.
As the powder has a swelling effect, it reduces the bulk density of cosmetic products. It also reduces the transparency and translucency of cosmetic products when required.
For cosmetic use, Talcum is nowadays extracted from mines that can supply it in an absolutely pure and very high-quality form.
Fact Sheet Talcum
INCI: Talc
Alternative names: Steatite, soapstone, magnesium silicate hydrate, E 553 b or Talcum.
CAS number: 14807-96-6
EINECS number: 238-877-9
Description: Talcum is a light, white and hydrophobic powder that is somewhat soapy or greasy to the touch.
Class of minerals: silicates and germanates
Chemical formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
Solubility: insoluble in water, dilute acids and alkalis and in organic solvents.
Pure and asbestos-free Talcum: proven ingredient for sophisticated cosmetics
Talcum is a natural mineral and therefore basically nothing bad. At Cosmacon, we only use asbestos-free pharmaceutical Talcum qualities that comply with the “European Pharmacopoeia” (serves as a legal and scientific benchmark for pharmacopoeia standards). The powder is suitable for many applications from face powder to eye shadow and convinces with numerous unique properties that make it virtually without alternative. We are happy to develop high-quality and sophisticated formulations with asbestos-free Talcum for you.
Literatur
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Martsouka F, Papagiannopoulos K, Hatziantoniou S, Barlog M, Lagiopoulos G, Tekerlekopoulou AG, Papoulis D.Materials (Basel). 2021 Mar 2;14(5):117
Baby Powders and the Precautionary Principle.
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