Wikipedia defines Talc as “a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate…. In loose form, it is the widely used substance known as talcum powder.” Talcum powder helps cut down on friction and absorbs moisture, making it useful for keeping skin dry and helping prevent rashes. It is widely used in products like as baby powder and adult body and facial powders, as well as in a number of other consumer products. But its use does not come without some contention.
Talcum Powder And Cancer?
A concern with using talcum powder is that the mineral Talc is often co-located with deposits of asbestos ore which could lead to contamination of the Talc. While this problem has been largely eliminated by the use of quality control processes to separate industrial-grade Talc with food/cosmetic grade talcum powders, some manufacturers have elected to use substitute ingredients and use the term “talcum powder” as more of generic term.
Talcum Powder and Shaving
Using talcum powder after shaving is a long established tradition, though not without some disagreement even among barbers. Traditionally talcum powder is used as the very last thing to do after shaving, applied to the face and neck to calm the skin, absorb residual moisture and oil, and in some cases to reduce the look of dark (though shaven!) stubble over light skin. Sometimes the powder is applied to the hands of the barber which in turn is applied to the shaver’s face. Others shake a little powder into a towel which is then massaged into the face and neck. However some barbers discourage the use of talcum powder, one arguing “I never use talc in anything to do with shaving. This would be counterproductive in my opinion as talc will ‘soak up’ any moisture, which of course is the very last thing you want to do to the beard before, during or after shaving.”
My personal opinion is that using talcum powder is probably most useful for those who have oily skin or live in hot, humid environments. Give it a try and see how you like it.
Products
Here are several products that approach shaving talcum powder in different ways:
King Talc (from the makers of Barbicide) and Pinaud Clubman Talc are probably the two classics, both primarily using Talc and zinc stearate (to cut down on friction) as their major ingredients.
Taylor of Old Bond Street’s “talcum powder” actually uses magnesium carbonate (a powder often used by gymnasts and rock climbers) as its primary ingredient.
New York Shaving Company’s “After Shave Powder” specifically says it’s talc free, instead relying on a mix of kaolin, corn starch, tapioca starch, and other ingredients.
Do you use talcum powder? Leave a comment below!
For the love of God, it’s is a contraction of it is. When you want the possessive, you write, “its”.
Holy cow, the article has been out since 2014 and someone only now noticed? LOL. Thank you sir…edited!
as a headshaver I frequently use talc on the dome because it can get very oily. I use Clubman Talc, which is very fine and has a slight rose tint to it so it doesn’t make my head look stark white. i have been known on hot days to use it on the thighs (what a delicate way to put it). And unlike clubman shaving soap, it actually smells like the Clubman aftershave.
I use talc on my groin after shaving. Does the trick!
I use a very thin layer of baby powder after shaving (when my after shave balm dried of), I apply it esp. on my very very sensitive neck area. It helps me to reduce ingrown hairs and redness. The baby powder I use consists of talc, zinc oxide, olive oil and allantoin (ok and some clean baby semelling scented perfume, but it’s nearly unscented). It works great for me.
Can you use talc power on your bald head then while you got it on your head electric shave it
For 15 years I have been using Remington Face-Saver pre-shave that contains talc and paraffin. I shave without razor burn with a electric razor.
When someone speaks about Gentlemen’s Talcum Powder I always remember that scene “From Russia with Love” when James Bond’s attaché case is rigged so the villain is visually overtaken by the exploding powder so Shawn Connery can reconnoiter and over take the bad guy and get the lektor, and of course the girl. Because of this, I always wondered, what kind of Talc would James Bond use-hmm? It would have to be English, no doubt and from the Savile row area of London because of his great suits. That makes sense!
And then I discovered Taylor’s of Old Bond Street. I’m sure it’s only coincidence but I have to say, this is one on my favorite talcs! The Mr. Taylor scent, especially my favorite, as well as the shaving cream and bar soaps, has a great level of scent that could be used without using added colognes when you don’t have to. Being the background of Mr. Taylor was a botanist of sort; this totally confirms the paraben free and natural philosophy of the products, producing an outstanding, if not top-shelf products, that are accessible to all and possibly exclusively used by-Bond, James Bond! TOBS products can be purchased at Joseph Barber & Company
Talcum powder works great for me. Living in Arizona in the summer it really helps.After i shave i use a Horsehair neck brush like the ones the barber used when i was a kid,only on my neck back of neck and under my arms its really great after a straight razor shave.My favorite Talc is from Casswell and Macy Number Six its supposedly the favorite scent of George Washington,Clubman shave talc in the white container,and Bortalco from Italy.Also I’ve found out that using a Horse hair neck brush makes the talc last longer.
I used to used talc pre-electric shaving. Now that I DE shave, talc has gone the way of the Dodo.
In the Caribbean, most showers are followed by a splash of talcum post toweling. The base of the neck and shoulders usually. It supposed to absorb a mild sweat supposedly to keep your shirt dry a bit longer. I am not sure how that long that’ll last in a tropical heat and humidity clime.
I use King Talc on my underarms after applying I unscented deoderant. It really acts as an antiperspirant and it smells great. I also use Jeris white Talc and Clubman.
I use talc but not on my face or neck. I use it in a slightly lower region…ummm, come on guys…you know. 🙂 I never use corn starch based powder because it doesn’t last as long as talc. If you perspire a lot this stuff can be a life saver!
Interesting, Mark.
While I never put powder on my face, I always like when the barber uses it on the back of my neck after shaving it. I believe Clubman Talc is the one most often used. What a great scent.
But for my personal powder use (not on face or head) I prefer corn starch based products over those using talc.