Ammens Original Medicated Powder, Talc Free Formula, 11 Ounce

There is a lot of confusion about Ammen's medicated powder over the years. The word "ORIGINAL" only refers to the scent. The formula of the powder has changed drastically over the last few years. For decades it had 9.1% zinc oxide (which kills bacteria and is good for your butt, like in bicycle shorts, and your arm pits as deodorant), then mostly corn starch (which forms long molecular chains when it gets damp - like sweat) and lubricates and just feels good. It also had some talc, but never told the percent, plus some other chemicals which I suspect help keep it from clumping up in the container. This is the product people loved and swore by for decades. As did I. Then Johnson and Johnson got sued for not telling, on their container, that their talcum powder CAN/MIGHT have trace amounts of asbestos in it. That is natural as it is mined, and J&J had been testing their incoming talc for asbestos percentage for years; probably decades. There is probably no way to have talcum powder with 0% asbestos, but they put work into making it be as low as possible. The lawsuit did not prove the talc caused the woman's cancer, that was not even part of the lawsuit. The lawsuit was only about not explaining, on the container, what I just wrote. So, now no manufacturer is brave enough to put talc in a product. Ammen's changes the formula to eliminate the talc, but also drops the zinc oxide to 5%. No idea why on the zinc oxide change, unless cost. Well at 5%, it is no longer strong enough to effectively kill bacteria or work as deodorant. It is basically just corn starch powder now, and probably did not deserve to be called medicated powder. The word deodorant is no longer on bottle. I had almost no use for this product. This new "4X strong" version does not list the zinc oxide percentage, but the container does mention absorbing "odor". I looked up the only other chemical and it is only an anti-caking agent to keep it from clumping. Clearly it has more zinc oxide in it. I am back to using it as I did the original version. It works. Only negative: if you are used to the old version with talc in it, this no talc stuff is very fine and you often get more out on your hand than you want. Use caution. Other than that...all good. But I read that the mother company is going through bankruptcy. I don't know the current status. Usually the company reforms under different management, or some other company buys the product lines, etc. I suspect this will still be available. I just hope they don't change the formula again! I bought 2 more bottles just to be sure I have a supply for awhile. As of fall 2022, buy it.

A powder my Dad, a golfer, and I have used all our lives. No talcum here, and the great old smell's still the same. You didn't really want to smell like a baby, did you? The highest recommendation from a fan of 50 years.

Absorbs moisture

It's a great product

My family has used Amens powder for many years and it continues to provide comfort and healing with a pleasant aroma