Corn Starch vs Talcum Powder

Never use Talcum powder on a baby. It causes inflammation of the lungs if it is inhaled and can stop or impair breathing. I really would suggest using a Cornstarch based powder on a child. In fact, you can use straight Corn Starch if you are looking to save money. For an adult, if you are using this on yourself or a teen in your home is using it, just a regular bath powder would be fine as long as you are careful not to inhale it. I personally prefer the Johnson and Johnson baby powders for both myself and my children. My favorite for myself is the lavender scented one. They are talcum free. Every regular bath powder that I have looked at contains talcum powder. I don't think there is as much harm to it for an adult, but for a baby you are using it so close to their face and the chance of them inhaling it is greater. Most baby powders are talcum free, but occasionally (usually in dollar stores) I find talcum in the ingredient list.

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I was the one who responded. I first heard about this around 10 years ago. Here are some links on the topic:

http://www.ivillage.com/talcum-powder-safe-babies/6-n-136821

http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/samuel-s-epstein/talcum-pow...

I like Shower to Shower too, but the overall results have been enough to get me to use only cornstarch powders on myself and my kids.

2 moms found this helpful

Talc has been shown in some studies to increase the risk of cervical cancer. If you're putting it in your panties or in a female child's diaper, I would use corn starch. You can buy corn starch baby powder if you like that smell or just use the regular ol' corn starch in a box, either works fine.

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My child was allergic to most lotions and bath soaps, not to mention most of the diaper rash paste. I used just the plain old corn starch since she was an infant on. It was the best as it absorbs the wetness and helps protect the skin. It is an oldie but one of the best. As she got around 9months, we were able to start using the desatin.

Talc is a mineral and although it is extremely soft it is STILL a powdered stone that can be inhaled or end up inside the body where it can cause irritation, inflammation and although rare, has been linked to certain female cancers.

it can also cause your baby to have asthma.

There are health concerns about talc. I t would be best to Google it and read about it. I don't recall all the issues. I found some powder at Whole Foods in the Organic section that has no talc. I have to think non-talc powders are avaiable in alot of health food stores.