5 Safe Alternatives to Baby Powder

If you’re a regular reader of health and lifestyle news, it can often feel like there’s a new ingredient, product, or habit being linked to cancer on a daily basis. From concerns over mac and cheese chemicals to the use of hair dye products as a cause of breast cancer, it’s hard not to question every single product and edible item we come into contact with. What we once thought was safe for us to use could very well prove detrimental to our bodies in just a few short years.

But, simply paying attention to a product’s ingredients can make a world of difference in the steps you take for your overall health. Take, for example, the common ingredient of talcum powder. This mineral found in cosmetics, certain baby powders, and even toothpaste has now been linked to ovarian cancer. Research has shown a connection since the 1970s, and three recent large-scale studies have brought the health issue back into the limelight. Read more about the studies and possible toxin here.

For women who regularly use baby powder as a deodorizer or new mothers who incorporate baby powder into their infant’s diaper-changing routines, this news can be particularly scary. But, thankfully there are products on the market today that are free of talcum powder and thus free of any worry over carcinogenic claims.

The next time baby powder is on your shopping list, consider one of these safe alternatives that will put both your mind and body at ease.

1. Cornstarch

Found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store, cornstarch has the same consistency as baby powder and will be able to absorb moisture easily. It’s also a natural product derived from corn grain or wheat that can help with a myriad of issues including skin problems and athlete’s foot. Particularly for those living in humid climates, cornstarch can be used to absorb sweat that gathers in areas of the body including under the breasts and in between the thighs. Babies with neck or leg rolls can also benefit from application of the product to prevent any heat rashes from developing.

2. Baking Soda

Similar to cornstarch, baking soda is another product that can be found in (you guessed it!) your grocery store’s baking aisle. There are a seemingly endless number of uses for this common household product, and its ability to replace baby powder is one of them. Whether you’re looking for a way to prevent diaper rash or are considering switching to a more natural deodorant, baking soda can be an excellent problem-solver. Are you also dealing with sweaty shoes from summer workouts? Baking soda can replace baby powder as a way to eliminate any odors that get carried through your home.

3 Arrowroot Powder

Derived from the tropical arrowroot plant, arrowroot powder is a starch that can also serve as a substitute for baby powder. It’s soft and gentle on the most sensitive skin and is an excellent absorbent. If you’re looking to add a pleasant scent to your regular application, combine arrowroot with essential oils or powdered herbs like calendula. In addition to preventing diaper rash, arrowroot powder can be ingested to cure urinary tract infections, to soothe teething pains, and to aid digestion.

4. Burt’s Bees Baby Dusting Powder

If you’re looking for a name-brand alternative, consider Burt’s Bees Baby Dusting Powder. This talc-free product contains cornstarch in addition to other natural ingredients that are clinically proven to be non-irritating. You also won’t have to worry about potentially toxic synthetic scents being listed in the ingredients. The dangers of these man-made additives include cancer, the development of autism, and even birth defects if a mother uses products with the synthetic fragrances while pregnant. Burt’s Bees instead uses natural fragrances and flower extract, which is a huge plus if you’re planning to use it on your infant. When you purchase Burt’s Bees, it also supports the Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation focused on initiatives to benefit human and honeybee health.

5. Nature’s Baby Organics Silky Dusting Powder

Nature’s Baby Organics Silky Dusting Powder is another natural product that only contains USDA-certified organic ingredients. Similar to Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder and in addition to being free of talc, it also stays away from the synthetic fragrances that have been linked to major health issues including cancer and nervous system disorders. Also note that this product doesn’t just help newborns and infants. Adults can reap the benefits of using the dusting powder after strenuous workouts or as a natural deodorizer .

Switching to talc-free products is just one way you can lower you and your child’s risk of ovarian cancer. With Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month coming up in September, it’s also important to know the signs and symptoms of the illness to receive as early a diagnosis as possible. No matter what alternative route you decide to take with your lifestyle changes in order to lower this risk, you can rest easy knowing each of the products above can give you the peace of mind you need when it comes to you and your children’s safety.

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