Talc

Talc

Moderate hazard

Is Talc safe in skincare?

Moderate hazardHazard 6/10

MFDS Korea: prohibited only when a listed impurity is present

Based on

  • Reference: European Union, 2026

    Annex III · Must be asbestos-free; not for powder products for children under 3.

  • Reference: Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel

    Safe as used · CIR report 467 conclusion

  • Reference: Korea MFDS

    MFDS Korea: prohibited · MFDS Korea cosmetic prohibited — only for grades that fail the Korean Pharmacopoeia asbestos standard

Is Talc classified as a carcinogen?

Only four bodies count here: IARC, EU CLP, US NTP and California Prop 65.

Classified as IARC Group 2A (inhalation exposure basis).

Exposure route: breathed-in powder, or body powder used in the genital area; not a swallowed basis

Based on

  • Reference: IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), WHO

    IARC Group 2A

  • Reference: Stayner LT et al., IARC Monographs Working Group

    IARC Group 2A

How is Talc regulated?

Cosmetic ingredient

Not found on any prescription-drug, professional-treatment, or US OTC monograph list, so it is treated as a cosmetic ingredient. This is a passive default ("not on any known restricted list"), not an individually verified positive finding.

Products that list this ingredient

99 products in our catalog list this ingredient. Here are the 12 with the most reviews.

Sources (5)

  • Reference: European Union, 2026
  • Reference: Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
  • Reference: Korea MFDS
  • Reference: IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), WHO
  • Reference: Stayner LT et al., IARC Monographs Working Group

Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.

Green does not mean right for you. Skin and allergies differ from person to person. Treat the color as a starting point.