4.3 Talcum powder

  Chemistry in Everyday Life

    1.0 Chemicals In Medicine And Health Care
    2.0 Drugs And Medicines
    3.0 Dyes
    4.0 Cosmetics
    5.0 New High Performance Materials
    6.0 Ceramics
    7.0 Chemicals In Food
    8.0 Detergents
    9.0 Rocket Propellants
    10.0 Insect Sex Attractants (Pheromones)

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4.3 Talcum powderTalcum powder is used to reduce irritation of the skin. Talcum powder like face powders contain talk $\left( {M{g_3}{{\left( {OH} \right)}_2}S{i_4}{O_{10}}} \right).$ Chalk, zinc oxide, zinc sterate and suitable perfume act as the other main constituents of talcum powder. Often specific ingredients like antiseptic and cooling agents are added. The role of the talk is to act as a powder base and to make skin smooth. Chalk absorbs secretion (perspiration) without showing any evidence of such absorption. Zinc oxide masks enlarged pores and mirror blemishes, whereas zinc makes powder adhere to skin. Baby talcum powder contain considerable amounts of zinc sterate for adhesiveness and boric acid, for antiseptic purposes. Talcum powders need to be dusted with care to prevent inhalation of the fine particles which irritate the lungs.