Parenting & Pregnancy >
Diapering
Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedWhich is the best baby powder: Cornstarch or talc?
Results so far:
| Cornstarch | 84% | 83 votes | Total: 99 votes | |
| Talc | 16% | 16 votes |
Cornstarch
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesTalc and cornstarch are both natural products that are used to absorb moisture. A dusting of either of these in their powdered form is a surefire way to combat perspiration, odor and wetness. Both of these products make the skin silky and dry to the touch, but why is it safer to use cornstarch rather than talc as a baby powder and in your every day beauty routine.
What you should know about talc -
Talc is a mineral and so is a product that exists in nature. Natural products are supposed to be good for you, so why is talc so harmful, you may ask.
When talc is broken down to a powder, it breaks down into fine particles which are similar to asbestos. The talc is mined then processed first by crushing it into a powder. After it is crushed, it is then dried and milled. This procedure removes the trace minerals from the talc, but the fine particles of talc in the powdered form do not separate well.
Even talc considered to be of cosmetic grade is not broken down enough to be safe. These fine particles if inhaled can cause allergies and lung cancer.
If applied to the genital area, talcum powder has been known to cause a variety of feminine cancers, the most prevalent being ovarian cancer. Particles of talc have been found in these cancer tumors.
To avoid the possibility of this type of cancer you should not use baby powder, perfumed powder, or medicated powder around the genital area, or at all. Avoid intimate contact with others that use these types of powders.
This also means, do not sprinkle powder containing talc on yourself after a bath or shower, on panties, or on panty liners or sanitary pads. Do not apply talcum powder to baby bottoms or sprinkle it inside of diapers. There is also evidence that inhalation of talc has caused asphyxiation in infants.
Talcum powder is just one product in which talc is present. So if this is not scary enough, these are some of the other common everyday products that contain traces of talc. Some medications, deodorants, chalk, soaps, insulating materials, paints and paper are processed using talc. Talc is even present in pesticides and it is the main ingredient in flea and tick powder. To prevent any possible harm from talc, it might also be best to refrain from coming into contact with these products.
What about Cornstarch -
Cornstarch is also natural because it is manufactured from the dried center of corn kernels. When broken down into a powdered form, it does not contain harmful asbestos like substances.
It is an excellent substitute for talc as a dusting powder. Cornstarch is actually more absorbent than talc, however, it should be applied lightly as it cakes more easily.
The best advice I can give is to be sure you read the ingredients on labels before purchasing products, especially cosmetics or powders to make sure they do not contain talc.
Learn more about this author, Kathy H.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Talc
I am a mother with two kids. I want to share my experience with everyone becouse the other's experiences helped me a lot too. I had troubles with rashes on my babies skin for many times and i always did my best to solve them. There were a few times when i was a bit scared for what i saw that was becouse my kids rushes were very close to blood. I didn't want to see them hurt and feeling uncomfortable so i had to do something. I tried to read about this in books, on internet and listen to many advices from other mothers like me. I saw many advirtisments in that period too from many cosmetic companies for many baby care cosmetics products. I use talk powder for my daughter and son. My daughter is 1 year and 7 monthes old and my son is 7 monthes old so i have enough experience to know what is right when it's about babies care. I noticed that talc is better than creams and lotions becouse they keep their skin dry. After i take off the diaper of my babies i wash them with water and soap (baby soap or antibacterial soap) then use powder talk on their skin if i see their skin red. I used many creams from many diferent companies (klorane, nivea, mustela, johnsons) but the rashes always persisted after using them maybe even get worse. . That was becouse they keep the skin wet all the time but the talc powder keep the skin dry. Wetness make that problem persist. I had the same trouble with the baby oil. I was sad to see their skin demaged all the time and me to have many cosmetics for them and not helping them much. I didn't know what to do for helping them. One day when i asked the doctor she told me to give up to creams, lotions and oil and use only talc powder instead of them. The situation changed and she was right. It is good for the baby when you change him to let him without diaper for a minut to allow his skin to breath a bit. But the most important is to change the baby anytime is necessary and don't let him get dirty and wet too much. A baby could never feel comfortable if he is dirty and stinky. Using a talc powder on his dry clean skin is always a plus. My babies are happy now and they are not hurting anymore everytime i change them. I think that talk powder is the best and i highly recomand it to all mothers. You and your kids will certnaly see the diference. Now i'm sorry becouse i didn't choise this way from the begining but i was fooled by all the advertising for creams lotions and oils.
Learn more about this author, Eugenia Maria Georgescu.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
