Trends & News

Talc replacement in cosmetics has become a major focus for personal care manufacturers and formulators in recent years. With growing concerns over talc’s safety and sustainability, cosmetic companies are actively seeking talc alternatives that deliver the same benefits without the risks. In this article, we explore why talc has been so popular in makeup and skincare, the reasons behind the shift to talc-free cosmetics, and the most promising natural substitutes – including innovative upcycled powders like ultra-fine olive stone powder. Cosmetic product developers, R&D experts, and purchasing managers in the beauty industry will find expert insights, practical tips, and guidance on making the transition to safer, sustainable ingredients.

Talc has long been a staple ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products – from baby powders and body dusting powders to pressed powders and eyeshadows. It is valued for its silkiness, absorbency, and ability to improve product texture. Yet, in recent years, questions have been raised about the safety of talc in cosmetics. High-profile lawsuits, scientific studies, and advocacy campaigns have spotlighted concerns ranging from asbestos contamination to potential links with cancer. So, is talc safe in cosmetics, and what should health-conscious or eco-conscious consumers and manufacturers know? This comprehensive overview will delve into the science, regulations, and alternatives, helping you make an informed decision.

Plastic microbeads – once a staple in scrubs, cleansers, and toothpastes – are now recognized as one of the most harmful pollutants in the beauty and personal care sector. These tiny polyethylene or polypropylene spheres may have offered a convenient texture and exfoliating effect, but their environmental legacy is devastating: they do not biodegrade, accumulate in waterways, and enter the food chain.

Understanding aggregate within concrete is crucial, as it significantly influences the characteristics and performance of the final product. Aggregate typically involves a variety of materials, each contributing uniquely to concrete's structural integrity, durability, and aesthetic appeal. This mixture often comprises crushed stone, gravel, and sand, and can form up to 75 % of the concrete's volume.

After developing Olea FP (Functional Powder) – a line of multifunctional fillers, reinforcing and texture particle – we can now offer a 360° approach to solving customers’ formulation challenges. This includes a number of bio-based guide formulations featuring an elevated bio-content, a reduced carbon footprint besides technical and mechanical benefits.

The emerging industry of upcycled material offers immense potential for firms seeking to decrease their environmental footprint while staying committed to their business goals. For many, the term 'upcycled material' might still be a novel concept. In essence, upcycling involves the transformation of waste products, discarded items or even secondary materials into new items of better quality or greater environmental value.

Customers often approach us with a clear goal in mind: to use walnut grit as a biodegradable abrasive. Especially the skincare industry is making progress towards microbead-free product, which is why walnut shell particles seem an obvious choice. 

At its core, the circular economy represents a shift from the traditional linear 'take, make, waste' industrial model to an innovative system rooted in the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling.

The concept of carbon footprint (or CO2 footprint) is complex, especially because it is determined by countless factors, most of which go beyond an organization's control. We believe that, at first, it is crucial for organizations to understand the scope of carbon footprint or CO2 footprint.

Sustainability has become the number one buzz word, and there is hardly a way around natural cosmetic ingredients. Besides, the cosmetic industry has recently seen another trend: supply chain transparency. Conscious consumers are keen on taking a look behind the scenes, and so are manufacturers.

When using the term “olive stone”, consumers and industrial users can refer to very different products. The market has still seen very little standardization of quality grades, and there are no official trade names for the different qualities of olive stones.

At BioPowder.com we have developed an innovative range of fully bio-based matting agents. Matting effects in coating applications have traditionally been created by means of synthetic or mineral powder particles.

Microplastics are non-degradable polymers that take hundreds of years to decompose. Due to their small size, they cannot be collected and recycled but pollute the world’s ecosystems, especially our oceans. A considerable part is absorbed by marine animals and ends up in our food chain.

Microplastics can be added to products intentionally for a function (primary microplastics), be generated during manufacture and processing of products (virtual microplastics), or originate during the use and degradation of a larger plastic product (e.g.tire wear).

The olive industry has rarely caused major debates about environmental sustainability. Although automation and agrochemicals have been hot topics, the ever-growing demand for olive oil seemed to outweigh those side-effects of industrial farming in the past.