Baby powder has long been a staple of childhood – the hallmark of a newly changed diaper or a baby’s first bath. But, with some baby powder in the news for reasons much more nefarious than deodorizing stinky babies, parents may wonder if it’s safe to use baby powder at all. 

Honestly, it’s a legitimate concern.

The culprit for much of the negative news is the ingredient Talc, used in some conventional baby powders. (Note: Hello Bello baby powder does NOT include Talc). 

According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, some talc may contain the known carcinogen asbestos. They note that even asbestos-free talc should be avoided in the pelvic areas, as there are case studies of infants inhaling talc-containing baby powder and showing severe respiratory distress.

We recommend avoiding talc in baby powder, as there are many talc-free options on the market. (Like our baby powder made with organic corn starch, bamboo powder, chaparral, aloe, and soothing botanicals!)

But even talc-free powder should be used with care. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that baby powder can cause breathing trouble and lung damage for babies if they inhale the particles. This is especially true for high-risk babies who are premature or have frequent respiratory infections. 

Baby Center advises using powder sparingly and applying to the baby from your hands and not straight from the container. Wash away old powder with each diaper change to prevent skin irritation from powder buildup.

As with most personal care products, keep the powder container out of reach – even older kids could think it’s fun to produce a cloud of powder that could actually be harmful to their lungs. 

But rest assured you can still enjoy the scent and texture nostalgia. With a bit of care, the right baby powder can still be a safe and effective means of preventing diaper rash and deodorizing little ones.