The common thought that pervades our mind is that, talcum powder is used by adults while baby powder is for babies. But that's not the final inference about these two types of powders. There are differences and similarities between talcum and baby powder. When we compare talcum powder vs. baby powder in terms of ingredients, then there's a significant difference between the two.
Comparison Between Talcum Powder and Baby Powder
Talcum powder is composed of a mineral containing hydrated magnesium silicate. This substance is commonly known as talc. It can be translucent and opaque or clear and lustrous. This property renders our face a shinny and glossy appearance after application of talcum powder. Other than talc, zinc stearate, magnesium silicates are also the active ingredients of talcum powder.
Baby powders are comparatively mild. It is an astringent powder and contains either talc or cornstarch. It's a rare condition that baby powder contains talc. Baby powder is gentle as it is made up of pure cornstarch with some amount of zinc oxide or sodium bicarbonate. It also contains soothing natural ingredients like, chamomile, marshmallow and calendula extracts. It also contains kaolin, bentonite, rose extract and myrrh and slippery elm extract. Arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, oat starch, aloe vera, rose clay, lavender oil and vitamin E are also found in baby powders. All these ingredients make baby powders safe for use.
Pros and Cons
When we consider the pros and cons of talcum powder and baby powder, then it's obvious that baby powder is much safer to use. Baby powder is not only safe on babies but also on adults. Talcum powder has many disadvantages and can pose health risks.
- The chemical ingredients in talcum powder, like silicates and talc are finely ground, that are easily carried by the air and can reach our lungs.
- Talc absorbs moisture and so we use talcum powder to avoid perspiration. But this causes much damage to our skin.
- Applying talcum powder around genital areas, arm pits causes cancers and tumors. In females, it also causes ovarian cancer.
- Inhalation of talc by infants causes asphyxiation and chocking. So it's always suggested to keep talcum powder bottles away from babies and not to apply it on their mild skin to prevent diaper rash and sweat.
- Talc is not only a potent carcinogen, it also causes allergies and infection in lungs
- Talc particles are asbestos like, capable of moving through the reproductive system. They get embedded on the lining of the ovary, if applied in large excess. This finally results to ovarian cancer.
- Serious damage to lungs is caused by talc inhalation by babies. In adults, it might even lead to lung cancer.
