Mama Wellness

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers

Skin & Makeup techniques for working mothers are important to master because, well, mornings are an…adventure. Since we never know how long we actually have in front of the mirror, we need to think fast. And act faster. So, how do we figure out the simplest makeup routine? By starting with our skin.

Pretend you’re about to paint a picture. You have your paints lined up, your brushes ready to go. And then you take a look at your canvas. If it’s clean and smooth, you want to paint it. It’s simple. On the other hand, when there are bumps and specs of dirt that add unwanted textures, it gets a bit more complicated.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #1: A reliable cleanser

So, first, let’s master the cleansing and caring for our skin.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Anti-Blemish Facial Wash, an award-winning cleanser. It leaves skin clear while fighting blemishes and signs of aging—without over drying. Plus, it uses all-natural ingredients, making it ultra-safe for prenatal and postnatal women.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #2: On-the-spot acne treatment

Life could be stressful (the juggle is real!), and sometimes we see it come out on our face. It’s best to be prepared with a way to combat these breakouts.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Acne Control Spot Treatment. It reduces redness and provides some extra love to problem areas. And, bonus, it’s a non-greasy, non-drying blemish fighter.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers #3: A spa-like moisturizer

If you’re after that gorgeous glow (who isn’t?), you might want to find a moisturizer that leaves you looking and feeling like you just enjoyed an in-spa facial.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator. The super-hydrating moisturizer provides anti-aging, skin-firming effects that can be seen and felt instantly. Once you look and feel good without makeup, you can get ready for work in minutes.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #4: Easy eye makeup

Start with an eyeliner that doesn’t require a ton of touch-ups. Then, reach for your go-to mascara and give those lashes some love.

Gugu Guru loves: Maybelline’s Eyestudio ColorTattoo. It’s smooth, soft and creamy, and lasts for up to 24 hours.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #5: Alternative to foundation

You might want to skip the heavy foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer. It lets your skin breathe, while evening out the tone. And it feels really good.

Gugu Guru loves: The best-selling Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. It hydrates and is infused with SPF 30 sunscreen. Lather it on, enjoy its lightweight feel, and top it off with a bronzer for a sun-kissed effect.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working MothersTip #6: A lovely lipstick

Choose a fall-perfect hue for your lips (nude to brown and every peach in between).

Gugu Guru loves: Dior Addict Lacquer Stick Lipstick. This high-shine, moisturizing lipstick comes in an array of rich shades to give you a smooch-worthy finish.

Health & Wellness Giveaway

Thanks to Belli Skincare for making this sponsored post possible.

Why Moms Should Take a Walk

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Our friends at 99 Walks know a thing or two about walking. Every month, hundreds of women who want to get moving sign up and join them for a walking challenge, and end up falling in love with the supportive community, daily inspiration, and the gorgeous, wearable inspiration they receive after crushing their goal.

But they also know how to have fun. Here are 9 of their favorite fun facts about walking.

You need to walk 25 steps to burn off 1 blueberry and about 11 miles to burn off a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese.
Want to burn more calories? Try walking sideways, which burns 78 % more calories than walking forward.
The average walking speed for the typical adult is about 3 miles per hour. If you’re walking to the beat of “Shut Up and Dance”, you’re cruising along at 3.5 mph. At this speed, it would take you about 17 minutes to walk one mile.
Your walking shoes will last somewhere between 300-500 miles (unless you’re a kid, in which case your feet will probably outgrow them first!)
Walking on a rough but level outdoor surface requires 50% more energy than walking on a paved road.
The first woman to walk around the world was Polly Letofsky, a American who completed her trek in 1999, walking over 14,000 miles by foot.
Walking can actually be considered a full body exercise. Although the forward motion comes from the legs, your arms and core and at work, too. In total, it requires 200 muscles to take one step.
Walking makes you more creative. Research shows that people who are up and moving in nature are more creative than those sitting down indoors. Albert Einstein walked one and a half miles to Princeton University each day and Darmn took three 45 minute walks each day.
Walking briskly for one mile in 15 minutes burns approximately the same amount of calories as jogging the same distance in 8 minutes.

Looking for someone to walk with? Join the 99 Walks October challenge and earn this bracelet for walking 33 miles. You’ll be healthier, happier and glad you did. Learn more at 99walks.fit.

Don’t forget to check out 99 Walks’ first guest post, 99 Reasons That Walking is Magical for Moms.

Top Working Mother Tips from Mom-Focused Companies

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to real-life tips for working moms, who better to ask than the women who run mom-focused companies? Here are some super-helpful top tips from some of our favorite companies for moms:

Your Milk Shoppe: Your Milk Shoppe is a group of Maternity Consultants & Moms on a Mission to support & encourage women during the transition to Motherhood. They are also the Creators of The Peace of Mind Initiative, a program that supports corporations in attracting and retaining female talents once they become mothers.

Top Tip: Embrace the power of “NO.” Learn to be completely ok with not being everything to everyone, and give yourself the space to prioritize yourself and your precious time. ❤️

Soutiens: Soutiens is on a mission to help parents – and parents-to-be – feel confident and successful in their careers and at home. They know that working parents face a unique set of challenges: navigating parental leave and benefits, the stress of returning to work before they are ready, balancing family needs with work needs, guilt, and so much more. With The Return Plan, expectant parents are guided step-by-step in planning for parental leave so that returning to work after baby is a little easier. Soutiens also helps businesses create and implement programs to support working parents. We provide classes for expectant employees, community building activities for all parents, and interactive workshops for managers.

Top Tip: Use the small, in-between moments of your daily like to create quality time. No grand gestures needed.

FemCity: FemCity is your new favorite place to thrive, grow, learn, and get inspired both online and in person. They come from all walks of life and bring our collective experience to the table. They believe in lifting one another up, reaching out for help, and walking away from every interaction more empowered and excited than before.

Top Tip: Create a “co-op pod,” for those working mothers who are in the nanny-free zone and running solo, here is their top tip for working mothers: For those times when you receive that dreaded call a child is sick, the random day off from school, the summer season shuffle and the off-chance moments where you need childcare help, they hear you. They have been there and done that and here is their secret to managing it all. They created “Mommy Co-Op Pods” with each of their kids and it saved their working life, added some fun for their kids and gave their friends some time off too. The concept is to create a circle of 3-5 moms that either live in your neighborhood, work in your space or have children in the same school. This group is your agreed upon, mutually beneficial, army of moms for when emergencies happen. You can use the Co-op Pod for emergencies and for those holidays. Each mom takes part in stepping in on a rotation so that days off, long summer seasons and unexpected sick days don’t impact each working mother in the Co-Op Pod. This can take forms as a rotating playdate for summer or holiday breaks to the singular moments of a sick child in alignment with an important business meeting. We all take turns stepping in so that each working mother can flourish and the kids are flourishing along the way too with an extended community of mommy love.

Slay Like A Mother: Trying to hold it together as a human, woman and mother is an endless parade of struggles— and let’s be honest, none of us knows what the @!*# we’re doing. Sure, we may deploy some self-deprecating humor every now and then— just Google: “my book club reads wine labels”— but it’s high time you owned up to a deeper truth. That a dragon of self-doubt lies deep inside of you. A gnarly and vicious beast that may lurk out of sight, but never out of mind, as it inhales everything you do wrong, nothing you do right, and blows it back in your face. Yeah, that beast. And it’s time to slay it. Right now, you have a choice. You can do it the hard way, on your own. It’s totally possible because you’re a warrior (but of course you don’t believe that, yet.) Or, you can take the easy way. With friends. And snacks. We’re a resource for slaying what’s in front of you, one small step at a time. You’re invited to beg, borrow and steal as many “Damn, how’d she think of that?” moments as you’d like. There’s no trolling here. No “You should’ve tried X.” We’re here to confront our challenges, not each other. We’re here to say that as women we’re strong AF and if anyone can figure out how to destroy what’s holding them back so they can live the life they want, it’s an ever-lovin’ mother.

Top Tip: Decide who will be getting up in the middle of the night BEFORE going to sleep. Clear expectations make the world go round, especially with a new baby in the house.

Check out must-have newborn items from real working moms, and toddler/kid must-haves, too!

Hooked on a Spa Feeling: Revel In It with Belli Skincare

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

Cooling pads on our eyes, a mask hugging our face, the refreshing scent of lemon grass, soft meditation music, a light breeze…there’s nothing like that spa feeling. However, even when we finally get a moment to make that appointment, we typically end up canceling it due to…#momlife.

Even though our spa days can become a figment of our imagination, it doesn’t mean we can’t continue to pamper ourselves and love the way our skin looks and feels. We did some research and found a skincare company that truly delivers everything a busy mama wants: Introducing Belli Skincare.

With concerns for mothers (prenatal, postnatal and beyond) at their core, Belli is dedicated to safe ingredients. They are focused on healthy, wholesome and luxurious skincare products that bring spa-like feelings and results. Belli’s Anti-Blemish Facial Wash received a Women’s Choice Award: The pure face wash features natural ingredients including lemon peel oil, a natural anti-bacterial and skin brightener, and green tea extract and cucumbers—both rich in antioxidants.

Unlike most acne-fighting products, this is free of harmful chemicals like the very common salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. To provide even more love to your blemished areas, you might also want to check out Belli’s Acne Control Spot Treatment. Its fast-acting results and non-greasy formula make it a must for mamas with acne challenges.

Since sunscreen is essential for every outing, it’s important to have a chemical-free go-to. Belli’s Pure Radiance Sunscreen’s lightweight vegan formula makes it ultra-simple to wear under makeup, plus it’s even safe for kids.

And when you just want to glow (who doesn’t?), try the popular Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator. The vitamin-C-infused moisturizer delivers anti-aging skin firming results and is perfect for all skin types.

Mama, you’re busy, but you still matter—and always will. It’s okay for you to treat yourself to a safe, soothing, good-for-the-soul skin experience. Check out Belli Skincare—we don’t think you’ll ever look back.

Kindness Counts: Amazing Mama Brands with Huge Hearts

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

A mama’s to-do list scrolls. And scrolls. And scrolls. Sometimes, it’s seemingly impossible to take on one more thing.

We’ve been there, but we know just how amazing it feels when we open up our hearts and give back. To make it as easy as possible for you, we scoped out the mama-brand-scene and found our favorite companies with huge hearts. We’re excited to share philanthropic brands that contribute to our local communities, mamas and more.

If you haven’t heard of KIDBOX yet, its heart and generous hand can be felt across the globe. A subscription-with-styling-service clothing box (think Stitch Fix, but for kids), KIDBOX donates new clothing to the charity of your choice when you keep your box. This cutting-edge company donated over $12.5 million in new clothing to date, and seems to want to do more. Their passionate community is ever-growing, and their pioneering, change-making strategy is one that deserves the spotlight.

Plus, just when you think it can’t get any better, you shop the site! KIDBOX partners with major global brands you’d want to shop anyway: Adidas, Splendid, 7 for all Mankind, Disney, Sketchers and many more. Doing good is rarely this much fun.

While you’re clicking and tapping away, you might want to check out these other brands too: Abby & Finn is an affordable, eco-friendly diaper-and-wipe subscription service. As seen in PopSugar and Red Tricycle, Abby & Finn donates 30 diapers to families in need for each monthly box purchased.

For an ultra-stylish and versatile diaper bag that donates to an amazing cause, visit Momkindness. For each bag purchased, Momkindness donates a portion of the proceeds to Every Mother Counts, an organization that helps “bring safe and respectful maternity care to mothers everywhere.”

Another company to note: Mommy Matters. Their innovative, portable pillow features a hot/cold insert to heal aches and pains. Named one of the top 10 pregnancy pillows in 2019 by Verywell Family, Mommy Matters donates proceeds to Saving Mothers, “a global non-profit working to reduce maternal mortality and help mothers thrive around the world.”

Lastly, if you’re in search of a chic, office-friendly breast pump bag, check out JL Childress. For every Jay Elle Pump Bag sold, $1 is donated to a non-profit organization to support breastfeeding.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to give back during this beautiful time (when you also have no time). Wishing you fun and fulfilling shopping moments, Mama.

9 Reasons that Walking is Magic for Moms with 99 Walks

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

Today’s guest post is from our friends at 99 Walks; 99 Walks is a monthly walking challenge that inspires you to get up, get moving and crush your walking goals. They will welcome you into their supportive community, provide inspiration and encouragement, and reward you with your choice of gorgeous, wearable inspiration. We love the idea of 99 Walks being a place new moms can connect with each other, move their body, and feel good about themselves!

Ever look at one of those moms and wonder how she keeps it all together? I’m talking mascara on the drop off-line and what can only be her pre-baby jeans?

Yeah. Us too. But here’s what we know for sure – no one has it completely together. No one. Because mommin’ is hard and mommin’ can be lonely and we all need to prioritize ourselves at least a little bit. So we’re walking.

Why? Because walking takes no special gear, no special place, no special time and the health benefits are literally amazing. Here are nine of our favorite reasons:

Walking can improve your mood. Many studies have shown a link between walking for exercise and improved mood and lower stress. Walking in nature can amplify these benefits.
Walking can reduce your blood pressure. A study in Korea showed decreased blood pressure when subjects walked 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Walking will help you lose weight. Walking burns more calories, but it can also help offset genetic tendencies towards obesity. According to a Harvard study, one hour of walking a day can reduce these influences by half.
Walking can help fight cancer. Another Harvard study showed that women who walked just 1 to 3 hours per week reduced their risk of death from breast and uterine cancers by 19%.
Walking is good for your bones. A Nurse’s Health study showed that women who walk 4 hours or more a week saw a 40% reduction in hip fractures.
Walking is good for your heart. Walking 30 minutes a day at a medium pace can reduce a woman’s risk of heart disease by 40% per a Harvard Study.
Walking can help you sleep better. Walking outdoors, especially in the morning, can help your body get in tune with our natural daily rhythms. The activity and daylight can set your internal clock and help you fall asleep faster and sleep better that night.
Walking helps your brain. Walking results in a 50% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to research from Rush University.
Walking helps you solve problems. Walking calms your nerves and your brain, allowing you to think more creatively and solve problems. Since walking occupies some of your brain, it productively distracts the jumpy part, while allowing the creative part to do its thing. Stuck on a problem? Go for a walk.

But sometimes moms need a little extra motivation to get up, get together, and get going, and that’s why we’ve fallen in love with 99 Walks. Their monthly walking challenges are designed to get moms moving together, and at the end of the month, 99 Walks rewards you with gorgeous, inspirational jewelry. Join the September challenge at 99walks.fit

What’s New on Gugu: August 21, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

This week I have found some fun new products for both mom and baby! For mom, I am highlighting three new maternity/nursing apparel options. Two of these are great options for working moms and one is great for active families! I also have a new combination car seat (harness to booster) that will be great for school carpools! Also, an excellent set by one of our favorite eco-friendly toy companies.

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Britax Grow with You Clicktight and Grow with you Clicktight Plus: The two new Harness-2-Booster options from Britax are great for back to school and carpool! We love Britax’s Clicktight installation, which gets you a perfectly tight fit in a matter of seconds. These seats will keep your forward facing kiddo in a harness until 65 pounds, and safely in a booster up to 120 pounds. Clicktight Plus also features naturally flame-retardant fabrics that you can easily wash and dry!

The Dress by leSolstice: This pregnancy and nursing friendly dress is the new ‘must have’ in any mama’s wardrobe! The slight compression waist stays up on your growing tummy while the dual wrap top easily opens for nursing and/or pumping. Plus, the magnetic closure will keep one side closed, even if you need to open the other!

Rose and Rex Calm Mind Kit: Looking to introduce mindfulness and meditation to your little one in a developmentally appropriate way? Look no further! Created by childhood development and wellness experts, these will help you get through the dog days of summer! Each set contains three toys as well as a set of calm mind activity cards. Plus, every purchase gives back toys to children in need!

Cadenshae Activewear: A full line of maternity (and nursing-friendly) activewear for pregnancy and beyond! Created to look just like your pre-baby wardrobe, every Mom and Mom-to-be will find something high-quality and super comfortable! Once baby arrives, these items will continue to be some of your favorite go-to pieces!

J. Crew x HATCH Collection: Another fun collaboration has recently launched! J. Crew’s entrance into the maternity world is paired brilliantly with HATCH, creating many new (and adorable!) pieces for the working mom. Comfortable for the growing belly, these pieces will help you feel confident in the work place throughout all three trimesters and beyond!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: June 24, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: July 3, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 1, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 15, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

This week I have found some great products for mom! Some items will help with pregnancy while others will help with the fourth trimester and beyond! We can’t take care of our babes without taking care of ourselves (easier said than done!). I also found some items for said babes – a new high chair that is taking on the style game and a great new eco-friendly toy company!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Frida Mom: The newest line of products from our friends at Fridababy and all for mom! These products were created to help with recovery after birth and throughout the fourth trimester. Known for their honest approach to baby products, the Frida Mom line helps immensely with one of life’s messiest times. Available for purchase as individual items or as a set!

Mouse Loves Pig: Simplifying the toy game, Mouse Loves Pig has created high-quality, organic toys that kids will want to play with! These toys will easily become your child’s go-to playthings whether at home or on the go. Great for the car, plane, or while trying to pass the time!

The Chair by Lalo: ‘The Chair’ as they call it, is lightweight, easy to clean, and beautiful! We love the high quality materials they used to create ‘The Chair,’ and that it converts to a toddler seat! Plus, this chair won’t feel like an eyesore when you leave it out in your kitchen. Lalo has also partnered with BabyQuest to assist couples and individuals with the cost of fertility treatments. Apply for the grant by Sept 5 by clicking here.

Storq New Mama Care Kit: Three all-natural products meant to help you through pregnancy, fourth trimester, and motherhood! This set helps ease the stigma associated with postnatal life (think cracked nipples and sore vaginas!). They are easy to use and feel luxurious on your new mom bod! Pair with the set by Frida Mom and you will be good to go!

Reebok Maternity Collection: Trying to find for comfortable active wear that will fit your growing belly? Look no further! Reebok recently launched a line of maternity active wear that will be a perfect addition to your wardrobe. Great for running errands or heading to yoga, these neutral and classic pieces all come in both black and navy.

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: June 18, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: June 24, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: July 3, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 1, 2019

Self-Care for You with Matrescence Skin

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to finding time for self-care as moms, it seems as there is not one free second in the day. This is why we highly recommend investing the time into a skincare routine, which is safe and luxurious for your skin. It’s no secret we’re huge fans of Matrescence Skin, for so many reasons, as it is safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding and made with high-quality ingredients to help your skin stay smooth, clear, and bright. Check out some self-care routines and tips from real moms who love Matrescence below. You can learn more about Matrescence in our self-care gift guide, black-owned business gift picks, and baby shower gift guide.

Megan, mom of 3: Self-Care! I always thought I was horrible at it. Then I started watching my daily routine. I get up at 5:45am to shower alone and open a nice bottle of wine at 8pm. ? Not everyday, but this time in my life these are the things I do to take care of myself. One day I’ll add a manicure, facial, can you imagine a massage, etc. to the list. For now just getting to wash my face or showering without a kid standing beside me is HUGE. I’ve been using Matrescence since last fall. When I’m pregnant/nursing it’s so important for me to use a product that is safe for my skin and my baby. Unfortunately I feel like some products labeled as natural don’t work as well but Matrescence is safe and makes my skin really glow.

Sophie, mom of 2: As a mother, self care should be as vital as the coffee you crave first thing. Loving + nurturing yourself is a chain reaction. I’ve learned to put very little time but much effort forth into carving out tiny routines to get it in! Happy full mother equals loving patient parent, wife, daughter, sister… after a very unsuccessful first postpartum experience, I lost myself giving every ounce I had to my baby. I was left years later depleted, exhausted and with a weak immune system. I didn’t have anything to give to anyone else I cared for and definitely not myself. This time round I was well aware of how dark it got and I prepared myself on how to deal with the lack of sleep, the insanity of two kids and trying to work. I make it a priority no matter how hard to find those tiny moments throughout the day to self care; five minutes of uninterrupted me time. This is in the form of my skin care routines, quick meditations in the car, sipping tea looking at the hawks nest in the tree, taking the dog around the block, making rice bowls with homemade dressings, soaking in the bath with candles and listening to podcasts. Once a month I pamper with a massage or facial or manicure. It’s just about pausing and taking a break from life to be present with yourself and listen to what your body needs.

Jean, pregnant with first child: Almost half way there! Let’s talk about self care during pregnancy, or even motherhood. My second trimester has been smooth sailing so far, so my self care routine hasn’t changed much from before pregnancy (epsom salt baths, journaling, meditation, yoga). BUT. There is one thing I need to be way more mindful of throughout this journey to reduce my stress and not go insane. And that is blocking out all the outside noise and looking inward. For some reason, this is the time when people love to give unsolicited advice, and on top of that, there’s so much conflicting information out there about what’s good for the baby and not. Pregnancy is such a different experience for EVERY woman, so this is the time it’s become more important than ever for me to really listen to my body’s needs, and consult the midwives I’m working with who really know my health history and what I’m going through. And that means eating high quality runny yolks, and smoked salmon (because dang, this baby loves them), drinking my matcha every morning, and massaging myself with CBD oil every now and then to reduce my back pain.

Shelly, mama to one with one on the way: Self-care is always a work in progress for me. As a physician, and a mother, I tend to put others needs first. I really struggled with this right after having Mason but have been more and more intentional about it. Sometimes, I forget that it doesn’t take much effort to sneak a little self-care in – and how helpful this tiny slice of time can be for my mood. Some of my favorite ways to practice self-care are: Take a walk outside, read a book, meditate for 10 minutes, take a bath, pamper my skin, turn on some music, declutter (yes – this is self-care for me!), write in a gratitude journal, light a scented candle, watch a sunrise/sunset, get a quick workout in, open all the windows and let the breeze blow through the house.

Rachael, mom to 3: My office is my haven. It is the place I go for a little me time. It is fully stocked with scented candles, essential oils, and chocolate. The walls are covered in inspirational quotes, and family pictures. And this couch is the perfect finishing touch, so sometimes while I am working I may sneak in a nap… I deserve it. My office is my sanctuary.

Thank you to Matrescence for making this sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!

The Truth About Talc

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

Today’s guest post is from the team at The Truth About Talc; you can learn more about their mission at their website, or Instagram. To sign their #TosstheTalc petition, click here for more info.

When it comes to women’s health, it’s always important to stay alert and in the know about any possible factors which could affect a woman’s health or body. For many years, women have been using talcum powder on their own bodies, as well as on their babies; however, it has become abundantly clear in the last few decades that talcum powder has negative side effects for the human body, some even potentially fatal.

According to The New York Times, many women use talc as a “feminine hygiene product, applying it to their bodies and breathing in airborne powder.” Talc also appears in makeup, laundry soap, deodorant, and arts and crafts materials. Talc is a mineral that is composed of different elements including, chromium, nickel and other substances that are known to be harmful or worse, carcinogenic. Talc is found underground and is often intermingled with asbestos, a dangerous substance known to cause cancer. Since talc and asbestos can be found so close together, asbestos can be found in talc naturally. Reuters reported that asbestos contamination is an issue that companies like Johnson and Johnson have known about for decades, and when they started losing market share amongst their core buyers they turned their attention to minority groups.

Women who have typically used baby powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine may have talc particles in their ovarian tissues. As Dr. Judy Wolf, a gynecological oncologist states: “The inflammation alone that talcum powder products cause can lead to cancer—specifically ovarian cancer.” Talc particles can actually remain in the body for years, even long after talcum powder use is discontinued. The talc particles can cause inflammation in the ovaries that allows cancer cells to form, grow and spread. Talcum powder has been banned from condoms and medical gloves, and pediatricians no longer encourage parents to use baby powder made with talc on infants due to adverse health effects. However, women are still using talcum powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine – in fact 1 in 5 women routinely use talcum powder products like baby powder for feminine hygiene purposes.

Talc appears in many popular brands of baby powder, such as Johnson and Johnson’s, Clubman Pinaud Talc, Nivea Pure Talc, Gold Bond Medicated Powder, McKesson Baby Powder, and Shower to Shower. However, many women do not realize the connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. More than 25 published epidemiologic studies have examined the link between genital talc use by women and ovarian cancer since the 1980s; according to the scientific research in these studies, it has become apparent that women who regularly use talcum powder products like baby powder in their genital area are three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who do not use the product. Interestingly enough, even research funded by Johnson & Johnson concluded that talcum powder use for feminine hygiene increases a woman’s chance of developing cancer. Incidentally, ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of death for women and 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer yearly in America.

As women learn more about the connection between talc and ovarian cancer, the Truth About Talc is hoping to educate more and more women. As of this moment, manufacturers of talcum powder products are finally beginning to take note of the scientific studies and litigation documenting the link between talcum powder and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. In fact, as recently as this year, a U.S. House subcommittee held an investigative hearing on the science and safety of talc-based products, prompted by the FDA’s discovery of asbestos-containing talcum powder in certain cosmetics marketed to children and teens. The panel may recommend granting the FDA more authority to mandate safety recalls of cosmetics, powders and personal care products. Knowledge is power, and we’re grateful to be able to spread the mission of Truth About Talc and educate women not only for their health, but their children’s as well.

However, FDA regulatory changes that can protect us can take years, if not decades. That’s why we’d like to ask you to take less than a minute to sign this online petition. We urge you to #TosstheTalc and share this information with every woman you know.

You can also find recommendations for safe alternatives to talcum powder via the Truth About Talc’s Instagram or Facebook profiles.

Thank you to Truth About Talc for making this sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!

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