Biotique Basil & Red Sandalwood Powder - Review

What it claims: Fine superior grade talc that gives a smooth, cooling effect to skin after bathing. Contains extracts of Margosa, Basil, and Red Sandalwood along with Sandalwood powder. Provides day long protection from perspiration and bad odour.

TO USE: Apply appropriate amount to the skin. Smooth gently.

 

Ingridients:

• Melia Azadirachta Ext. (Neem Chhal Kwath) 3%: Neem is antibacterial and therefore prevents body odour production
• Rubia Cordifolia (Manijistha) 2%: Manjistha is highly recommended in skin diseases associated with edema and oozing. The wound and ulcers dressed with Manjistha ghrta heal promptly and get dried up and well cleansed. It heals inflammation and gives the skin an even tone and smoothness
• Pterocarpus Santaluins (Rakt Chandan) 1%: Red Sandalwood is a natural anti-persiperant
• Yashad Bhasma (Yashad Bhasma) 3.5%: Zinc Calx is antiseptic and a natural astringent
• Shankh Bhasma (Shankh Bhasma) 1%: Shankha bhasma is prepared by soaking the conch shell in lime juice and calcinating in covered crucibles, ten to twelve times, and finally reducing it to powder ash. Shankha bhasma contains calcium, iron and magnesium and is beneficial in all types of skin ailments.
• Santalum Album Oil (Peet Chandan Tail) 0.5%: Sandalwood Oil.
• Zea Mays (Makka) 2%: Corn Powder, is highly absorbent
• Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi Panchang Powder) 1.5%: Tulsi is antibacterial and heals skin infections and is known to improve blood circulation in the skin
• Singe Jerahata (Silicate of Magnesia) Q.S.: Talc

Price: I have the tiny 30 gm travel size bottle. It cost me 53 Rs.


Pros:
1. It has a nice light sandalwoody fragrence that is not too overly feminine.

2. It is very cool to the skin and highly absorbent. A major need in this humid weather of Mumbai.

3. It does not ball up when it comes in contact with mositure

4. The texture is very fine and it spreads easily

5. It did not give me back acne (bacne)

6. The packging is very sturdy. I carry this in my bag and it has never spilled thanks to its tight, screw cap. I love using this on my feet as they tend to get a little sweaty.

Cons
1. There are some concerns about Talc being a carcinogen (Cancer causing ingridient). Talc is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. For the last 30 years, scientists have closely scrutinized talc particles and found dangerous similarities to asbestos.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers non-asbestiform talc, that is, talc which does not contain potentially carcinogenic asbestiform amphibole fibers, to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in cosmetics.

 

Will I repurchase: Yes.

 

I use this on a need - to basis, only during summers and in very small amounts. I use this in my closed shoes to prevent odour and keep my feet fresh and quite like it. While I am equally concerned about the Talc factor, Talc is widely used even today in a number of cosmetic (powders) and non cosmetic ingridients.

 

A lot of Indian women use Talc daily generously dusting themselves with it. I am not sure what to make of the Tumor study. A lot of brands abroad have begun to come up with Talc free 100 % herbal body powders. I hope that some Indian company looks into this soon as I am pretty sure a lot more people use Talc here as compared to abroad and they should have access to such safer options.

 

Do you use body powder? What do you think of this Talc - Tumour Study?