The first thing that comes to your mind when you think of baby powder is talc, which studies say can be harmful for your baby’s health. Last week itself, Johnson and Johnson was asked to pay US$72 million (S$101 million) to the family of a woman who said her fatal ovarian cancer was the result of the use of J&J’s talcum powder.
Say No To Talc
In fact this is not the only case, there have been numerous stories in the past that suggest that talc could be dangerous for your baby’s health and can give your baby asthma and even cancer. This is because talcum powder contains zinc stearate and silicates such as magnesium silicates that is a known carcinogen. Did you know that the talc in talcum powder comes from crushing and drying mined talc rocks that are loaded with magnesium and silicon?
Mostly used to absorb moisture and keep the baby’s skin dry and supple, doctors say that talcum powder can be easily inhaled by the baby when you’re dusting the baby with it, which can lead to asthma as well, which is why doctors advice against using it.
Research also says that talcum powder can also easily dissolves in sweat and this way can travel to other sensitive organs, especially if used in the private parts or genital area.
However, not many mothers know that there are some safe and natural substitutes for talcum powder that you can use on your baby. Not only are these products natural, they also have no side effects whatsoever. Here are some natural substitutes that you can try.
- Arrowroot powder
- Chickpea powder
- Baking soda
- Corn flour
- Rice flour
- Oat flour
- White clay
- Powdered chamomile flowers
- Rose essence
- Kaolin clay
- Aloe vera gel
How to make natural baby powder at home
Though it sounds quite tedious and time-consuming, actually you can make your own baby powder at home in a jiffy. However, you have to procure the ingredients that you need beforehand.
Take any of the above-mentioned safe talc substitutes and you can either use them alone or combine them with two or three powders together. You can add a fragrant oil such as lavender or chamomile to give a soothing aroma.
After mixing, you can store it in an airtight container and use whenever you want. However, as it is with other products use little in the beginning just to make sure that your baby does not have an allergy to any of the products.
How to make your own soothing DIY talc-free baby powder
Here are two recipes that you can try to make your own talc-free baby powder at home.
1.With cornstarch and aloe vera gel
Ingredients:
- ½ cup white clay powder or cornstarch powder
- 6-7 drops of lavender essential oil or rose essence
- ½ tsp of aloe vera gel
Mix the lavender essential oil in the cornstarch powered well so that no lumps are formed. Store it in a glass container and use it whenever required.
2. With white clay
- ½ cup white/kaolin clay clay powder
- 4 tablespoons arrowroot powder or rice flour
- 8-10 drops of lavender essential oil or rose essence
Mix all the ingredients together lightly with a spoon so that no lumps are formed. Store in an airtight container and use as when you like.
Trust us, all these alternatives are safe and natural. However, consult your doctor if you are using any of these products for the first time to be on the safer side.
If you have any insights, or have any other safe talc-free recipe, share with us!