Is Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Safe to Use?

Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes

Update: This article, originally published July 29, 2022, was updated January 6, 2023 with more information about Johnson & Johnson continuing to supply some countries with talc baby powder.

Update: This article was updated August 18, 2025 with more information about asbestos contamination of talc, Johnson & Johnson’s talc-free baby powder, government regulations, and consumer protection organizations.

For decades, Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder was one of the most popular health products on the U.S. market.

Talcum powders like Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder absorb moisture and keep skin healthy. Many consumers ask how talc products cause cancer, and the answer is due to asbestos contamination.

 

Why Is Talc No Longer Used?

In 2020, though, Johnson & Johnson ended the manufacturing and sale of the talc Baby Powder due to ongoing legal issues related to cancer. The talcum powder can be contaminated easily with asbestos since both talc and asbestos are minerals.

Talcum powder with asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and ovarian cancer for anyone who uses the powder on themselves or their child. Cancer from Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder is especially troublesome for women since they are the majority of users, applying the powder on their young children and sometimes even themselves.

So where does Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder stand now? Is it safe to use? Is it even available to purchase anymore? If so, does Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder still include the controversial ingredient talc?

Here is a summary of what happened to Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and where the brand goes from here.

 

Asbestos Contamination of Talc Products

Asbestos contamination of talc products dates back to the 1970s. This is the earliest known record of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder documented to have asbestos. Tests detected the mineral in the talcum powder product.

In 2019, tests of the powder by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration found asbestos in packaged bottles. This led to recalls of 33,000 bottles from the market.

In 2020, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested 21 talc-based cosmetic products. Approximately 15% of the samples contained at least fragments of asbestos.

This was proof enough that asbestos fibers can infiltrate talc and mix with talcum powder used in products. The results highlighted outdated and inadequate methods to screen for asbestos and prevent contamination.

 

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Recall

Before the health and beauty conglomerate ended the sale of its Baby Powder brand, there was a major headline that signaled the possible end. In October 2019, Johnson & Johnson recalled approximately 33,000 bottles of the talcum powder product. The reason is the effects of talcum powder on the lungs and ovaries when it’s contaminated with asbestos.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found evidence of chrysotile asbestos in a bottle from an online retailer. Johnson & Johnson decided to recall all bottles from the lot with the contaminated bottle.

Johnson & Johnson later said multiple tests of the same bottle did not show any signs of asbestos. This indicates Johnson & Johnson’s tests and proclamations that its talcum powder is asbestos-free might be faulty.

 

Johnson & Johnson Introduces New Baby Powder

Johnson & Johnson unveiled a new talc-free baby powder in July 2022. The brand is called Vivvi & Bloom. There are three products within the Vivvi & Bloom brand:

• 2-in-1 wash and shampoo cleansing gel
• 2-in-1 face and body whip lotion
• 2-in-1 scalp and body massage oil

Vivvi & Bloom is described as a “skin and hair care brand for babies and toddlers.” The company said in a press release it was designed to meet the needs and wants of “millennial and Gen-Z parents and caregivers.” Vivvi & Bloom products are designed with natural ingredients and are Environmental Working Group Verified to meet strict health standards.

One of the trademark features is trustworthy “natural ingredients.” All are verified by the Environmental Working Group, which regularly tests for and criticizes cosmetics with unhealthy ingredients. Talc, which the original Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder contained, is not one of the ingredients in Vivvi & Bloom.

There are other talc-free baby powders on the market. These are five of the best talc-free baby powders based on consumer reviews:

1. Equate Pure Cornstarch Baby Powder with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E
2. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder
3. Primarily Pure Baby Powder
4. Noodle & Boo Delicate Baby Powder
5. Era Organics Talc Free Baby Dusting Powder

 

Does Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Still Include Talc?

No. Johnson & Johnson discontinued the talc baby powder worldwide in 2023. This decision was initially made in May 2020 for the U.S. and Canada consumer markets due to the onslaught of cancer lawsuits from people who used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. Johnson & Johnson currently faces more than 60,000 lawsuits from cancer victims.

If you go to the product page on the Johnson & Johnson website for Baby Powder made with talc, the item is listed as “discontinued.” The main ingredient in the ingredients section on the product page is talc.

Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder now includes cornstarch instead of talcum powder. The other ingredients listed include tricalcium phosphate, vitamin E, and aloe barbadensis leaf juice. Johnson & Johnson is one of many cosmetic and health companies swapping out talc for cornstarch and other substitutes.

The non-talc, cornstarch version of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder is available on Amazon and other online retailers. Cornstarch is a common talcum powder alternative ingredient for baby powders, talc-free makeup, and more. As far as we know, cornstarch baby powder does not cause cancer.

The answer to the question “Does Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder still include talc?” was complicated for a few years. Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder with talc was still available in other countries until 2022.

For instance, an article reported that Johnson & Johnson continued to supply South African countries with the talc version of the powder despite ending sales in the U.S. and Canada in 2020. People in this and other markets were using a potentially unsafe and cancer-causing product on themselves or their children.

Fortunately, the talc Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder is no longer available anywhere unless it is sold after-market or in unregulated ways.

 

Global Regulatory Status and Bans of Asbestos in Talc

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned chrysotile asbestos. The ban prohibits the mining, manufacturing, import, sale, and use of chrysotile asbestos. This is the most common type of asbestos and has been in talc products such as Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder.

The U.S. is the last first-world country to ban asbestos. More than 60 countries have bans in place. Brazil is most notorious for continuing to mine and export asbestos, including to the U.S. as recently as 2023.

Table: Global Bans of Asbestos

Country/Region	Is Asbestos Banned?	When Was Asbestos Banned?
United States	Chrysotile asbestos	2024
European Union	Yes	2005
Canada	Yes	2018
Japan	Yes	2012
Egypt	Yes	2005
China	No	N/A
Mexico	No	N/A
Russia	No	N/A
Brazil	No	N/A

 

Help for Consumers: Checking if Baby Powder Is Safe

Consumers can be diligent about checking the ingredients on products they purchase. When buying baby powders or other cosmetic items traditionally made with talcum powder, look for items using alternatives such as cornstarch.

Steps to check baby powder ingredients:

1. Check the product label for ingredients, avoiding ones using “talc”, “talcum powder”, or “magnesium silicate” and preferring ones using cornstarch.
2. Check for “talc-free” certifications or other labels stating talc is not used.
3. Look for warning labels that indicate talc is an active ingredient.
4. Look for labels such as “EWG Verified”, which indicates the Environmental Working Group has deemed the product safe.

 

Consumer Support and Resources for Talc Baby Powder

People who have been exposed to asbestos from Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder can request legal aid to qualify for compensation. Options include lawsuit verdicts and settlements.

Compensation for asbestos exposure is available for anyone who has an asbestos disease such as mesothelioma, lung cancer or ovarian cancer. If they have used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder – on themselves or their child – or had the product applied to them during childhood, then they can file a lawsuit against the company.

Contact Mesothelioma Guide for help on finding legal aid. The support staff can direct you to a top asbestos exposure lawyer.

Consumer Safety Organizations

Several organizations work to protect consumers in the United States from unsafe products, including Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder:

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): The CPSCm an independent federal agency, protects consumers from injury or deaths associated with consumer products. They develop safety standards, conduct research, and investigate product safety issues. 
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection prevents fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA regulates food, drugs, and cosmetics to ensure they are safe for consumers.
• Consumer Reports: Consumer Reports tests and publishes reviews of consumer products and services. 
• Consumer Federation of America (CFA): The CFA advocates for consumer interests through research, advocacy, and education. 

Cancer Screening

Consumers and users of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder should be aware of symptoms for asbestos diseases. These include symptoms of mesothelioma, lung cancer and ovarian cancer. Coughing, difficulty breathing, chest or stomach pain, and loss of appetite are symptoms of asbestos exposure diseases.

Early detection is the best way to treat these diseases. Speak with your primary care provider about cancer screening programs to be proactive with potential diseases. Visit the American Cancer Society for an overview of cancer screening recommendations.
 

Monthly Mesothelioma News in Your Inbox!

Valuable information sent out on treatment, survivors, clinical trials and more!

Sign Up Now

Get the Most Helpful Mesothelioma Guide Book for FREE

Understand more about your diagnosis, potential treatment options and how to improve your prognosis.

Get Your Free Guide Now