Grandma’s Scented Dusting Powders Are Back

Growing Up with a Black Mom and Grandma

Growing up with a Black mom and grandma, I was conditioned to associate a few key things with femininity: a thoroughly lotioned and glistening body, gold jewelry, and always smelling amazing. As an adult, I carry on the legacy of smelling good by maintaining an impressive arsenal of perfumes, scented body oils, and lotions. But despite my efforts, I can never quite replicate that sweet, long-lasting scent my elders achieved.

The Power of Dusting Powder

If you’re unfamiliar, dusting powder is a finely milled scented powder used on the body to keep moisture at bay, soften the skin, and make you smell good—or clean, at the very least. Dusting powders were particularly popular back in the ‘80s and ‘90s (especially among Black women) but body powders first hit America in the 1890s when Johnson & Johnson began to market their now-famous baby powder.

A Revival on TikTok

Dusting powders have been quiet in the mainstream for a few decades—more on why in a minute—but, this year, Black women have been leading a revival of the product by sharing their DIY dusting powder concoctions on TikTok under #dustingpowder, which, at the time I’m writing this, has over 1,100 videos tagged to it. “Let’s bring back perfume dusting powders for magnetism and glamour magic,” one user writes in the caption of her video.

The Decline of Dusting Powders

If the booming fragrance industry is any indication, people have not lost the desire to smell good. So why did dusting powders go out of style? One culprit could be the public’s wariness about talc, a primary ingredient in a lot of those powders that were popular 30+ years ago. “Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that was [commonly] used as a sensory modifier and absorbent in powder products,” says cosmetic chemist Amanda Lam. Talc is not harmful by nature, but some talc-based products have tested positive for asbestos contamination, giving talc a bad reputation overall.

The Talc Controversy

The beginnings of widespread concern about talc began in the 1970s after cancer researchers tested 20 powder products made with talc and found 10 of them had asbestos. In 1997, a claim was made against Johnson & Johnson by a woman alleging that the use of the company’s baby powder led to her developing cancer. That case was ultimately dropped, but other lawsuits arose in the following years, further causing the reputation of body powders to drop—with consumers and manufacturers. “Ever since the ongoing Johnson & Johnson lawsuits, companies have been wary of using talc,” says Lam.

Conclusion

As I explore the world of dusting powders, I realize that the decline of this product was not just a matter of personal preference, but also a result of the controversy surrounding talc. However, with the rise of DIY dusting powder concoctions on TikTok, it seems that people are willing to give this product another chance. Whether you choose to use a commercial product or create your own, dusting powder can be a great addition to your daily routine, providing a sweet and long-lasting scent that will leave you feeling confident and glamorous.

FAQs

Q: What is dusting powder?

A: Dusting powder is a finely milled scented powder used on the body to keep moisture at bay, soften the skin, and make you smell good—or clean, at the very least.

Q: Why did dusting powders go out of style?

A: Dusting powders went out of style due to the public’s wariness about talc, a primary ingredient in many powders that were popular 30+ years ago. Talc has been linked to asbestos contamination, giving it a bad reputation overall.

Q: Are dusting powders safe to use?

A: While talc-based products have been linked to asbestos contamination, many modern dusting powders use alternative ingredients that are considered safe for use. However, it’s always a good idea to read the ingredient label and do a patch test before using any new product.

Q: How do I use dusting powder?

A: Dusting powder can be used in a variety of ways, including applying it directly to the skin, mixing it with lotion or oil, or using it as a dry shampoo. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for you.