After my very first post, Toxic Beauty #1, about the dangers of talc (causes ovarian cancer), I tossed out everything in my cupboards that contain talc. Honestly, we don’t use body powder on a regular basis. But we do need it once in a while.

If we are trying to avoid talc, what can my son and husband use to prevent prickly heat and chafing during their annual week-long summer camping event? (think about what happens when boys wear damp swimsuits all day) or to avoid friction during hikes? And what can my baby nephew use to keep his cute little bottom from getting sore?

Now, granted, these guys aren’t likely to get ovarian cancer. But if talc poses a danger to women, I am going to assume that it could do something equally nasty to the guys. We probably just haven’t connected the dots and figured it out yet.

So I am on a mission to create an all-natural, safe, effective body powder. For my son and husband, I want something along the lines of the Medicated Gold Bond Powder that they used last year. And for my baby nephew, something that is very soft and gentle, but can help avoid or heal diaper rash and prickly heat.

Last night I created my version of medicated body powder using the following ingredients:

• Arrowroot powder
• White kaolin clay
• Calendula flower powder
• Club moss powder
• Zinc oxide
• Essential oil of mandarin orange

And for baby, I made a simpler version with fewer ingredients:

• Arrowroot powder
• Calendula flower powder
• Zinc oxide

Here is a description of each ingredient and its unique properties. (Most of this information is from Mountain Rose Herbs [MRH].)

Arrowroot powder: This is the base. It is made from the dried root of the arrowroot plant, and it makes a wonderfully soft, non-toxic substitute for talc. Some people use cornstarch, which is fine, too, but I know that some folks are allergic to corn. (If you use cornstarch, you should be sure to get a non-GMO product.) It is called “arrowroot” because South American natives used it as an antidote for poisoned arrows.

White kaolin clay: This fine powder is quarry mined from natural deposits and water-washed, but otherwise untreated. It is used in most powdered and dry cosmetics. It is naturally absorbent and very mild, making it perfect for people with sensitive skin. It does not draw oils from the skin, so it can be used safely by people with dry skin. The clay is high in calcium, silica, zinc, and magnesium. These constituents help the clay to heal existing blemishes and inflammations, while preventing new ones from forming.

Calendula flower powder: I used a certified organic product from MRH. With antibacterial properties, calendula is used to disinfect minor wounds and treat infections of the skin. It stimulates the production of collagen at wound sites, minimizing scarring. It is also reputed to reduce pain.

Club moss powder: This product consists of the wildharvested spores of club moss. The spores are highly moisture resistant. When used as a dusting powder, they help to heal skin ailments, such as eczema, and to prevent chafing.

Zinc oxide: Its recognized antioxidant properties help to soothe, protect, and heal skin. As a mild astringent and antiseptic, it helps treat and relieve moist, painful, or itchy skin conditions.

Essential oil of mandarin orange (certified organic): Makes it smell nice (because, really, who wants to walk around smelling like club moss?)

So now I get to test these products and see how they do. If you live within shouting distance of me (Pepperell, MA) and would like to be a guinea pig, please give a holler and I can give you some to try, as long as you promise to give me feedback. I can also create a customized product for you (scent, ingredients) to meet your specific needs.