Alternatives to talcum powder

[amberj]

I was very bummed when I found out how bad talcum powder is because I love how it smells and feels. I used to love putting it on myself after a shower!

Are there any non talc powders? We used to use cornflour for DS's icky neck, but I want a nice powder to put on bubs and I after a bath that feels all nice and silky like talcum powder does! Does such a thing exist?

[jamakin]

i was just going to say the cornflour baby powder but you have already tried that.. sorry i'm out of ideas.

[CrystalBoo]

I know what you mean - it does smell awesome. I have the two bottles I was given at DD's baby shower still sitting in the cupboard unopened - I keep meaning to use them on the carpet but forget.
Anyway, I don't have an answer but if it was me, I would start looking in all the eco-baby type websites for an alternative.
Hope you find something.

ETA - just got quite a few doing a search for organic baby powder. Most are cornstarch based but have other ingredients added - maybe that would change the feel a bit?

[Phteven]

Curash is 25% zinc oxide in corn-starch but it's pretty heavily perfumed.
You could make your own - use the corn starch as a base and add what you want.
Here is a recipe - you could alter it or google making baby powder to find more recipes.

Make your own baby powder
If you still believe in the usefulness of baby powder, then you should at least opt for a formulation that avoids the dangers of inhaling talc. As you can see in the recipe below, the homemade baby powder presented here is based on corn flour, not talcum powder. Corn flour is doctor-approved because its much bigger particles are more difficult to inhale. To make your own baby powder, gather the following ingredients:
2 tablespoons crumbled, dried chamomile flowers
4 tablespoons corn flour
1 tablespoon orris root
0.50 teaspoon potassium alum
Method
Of course corn flour is available from your grocer. Chamomile flowers and orris root can be found at local herbal shops or online. Potassium Alum is a mineral stone and can be found online in powder form. You may find it online where other natural ingredients are sold.
Once you've collected your ingredients, mix them all together in a small bowl. Then transfer this mixture into an appropriate container. You can then proceed to use it as you would any normal baby powder. However, you should not use this recipe on your baby's nappy rash.

So there you have it, a look at the concerns about baby powder and a natural alternative. Of course, babies aren't the only ones who use powder. You may find the above recipe very helpful and pleasing to use yourself to keep your skin soft and dry.

[ezymay]

Gaia make one I haven't used it though.

[~Saram~]

I get a powder from plant essentials. they are based here in t'ville but do have an online store pm me and I'll see if I can track down the website. They make a hand ground powder with cornflower, chamomile and calandula flowers - just heavenly soft and very soft hint of fragrance.

[Erin_25]

there is an online store in WA that sells some. a friend of mine uses it on her DD & loves it. ahhhhh trying to think what it's called................google tinderbox.

[KatieRabbit]

Tinderbox as Erin says makes one and it is utterly divine and not too stringly scented- just lovely. Actually all their products are delish- my favs are their pregnancy belly rub oil, night cream, and room spray. All their prods are handmade and use only 100% natural ingredients and I reckon they are all under $20 each. I have used them for years and years....