Has anybody had any experience with getting messy with joint compound? Is it safe? Especially on your face? Can it be left covering your face for up to an hour? I'm wanting to try it, but only if it's not harmful . Thanks.

I used to work construction as a kid. When it drys it will rip the hair out of your skin.

I was looking at this last year.

One thing I learned about substances that you buy from a hardware store is to look for the safety data sheet. I learned that from this thread - https://umd.net/forums/polyurethane-sealant#postid_962824

Here is the safety datasheet for a product from home depot:
https://www.usg.com/content/dam/USG_Marketing_Communications/united_states/sds/usg-sheetrock-total-ready-mixed-all-purpose-joint-compound-sds-en-61000010013.pdf

It looks safe, or at least it does not contain any significant amount of chemicals that are toxic, hazardous, or carcinogenic.

I have played with it. I used to like mixing it with shaving cream to lighten it up a bit, as it's quite dense, but I didn't leave it long enough to dry. It was very drying on the skin.


If it dries to the point of producing dust that you inhale, that would be my concern, as that's the main health warning you see with it.

From: https://int-enviroguard.com/blog/employing-best-safety-practices-can-avoid-hazards-associated-with-drywall-installation/

"Drywall sheets and the compounds used in joints contain elements such as talc, calcite, mica, gypsum, silica, and even high-risk items such as mercury. When these sometimes-toxic particles are inhaled, upper respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung cancer can result. "


Sounds like it's not worth the risk for something to leave on for a while.

Please don't do that unless you want to end up seriously ill.

Just use clay and mix something into it to add texture. That's how we used to make fake cement. Get skin safe clay too. Some of that stuff can be toxic. Don't use anything that isn't meant to be on your skin!

Thanks for all the carefully considered replies!! It looks like it's not a good idea. .

This ^^^ talc is known to contain asbestos which causes cancers, mesothelioma, etc.

I've used it several times with no problem. Even let it dry and it always washes off with water, never pulled out my hair. The one and ONLY time that I did have a reaction, and to this day uncertain why?? is when I had a burn (blisters on my skin) from it, it must have been mixed quite strong. My ex had 3rd degree burns on his cock and had to go to the hospital. Of course, that was the first time I had him do it with me. I usually don't let it dry all the way, I usually add hot water to the bucket to make it warmer to play in too. I wouldn't say no to using it again.

According to the safety data sheet, joint compound could have a pH up to 9.9 which is very alkaline.

It probably isn't a good idea to use it on face or near eyes. Personally I would not use it raw because it is too alkaline, similar to why I would not use ketchup or mustard because it is too acidic.

Maybe it can be used as an additive like how some people use bentonite with kaolin clay. Bentonite has a pH of 7-8 and kaolinite is 4.6. I have heard others using bentonite mixed with kaolin clay from this forum. This mix seems safer. I also wonder about grog or speckle and how abrasive these are compared to each other. I also wonder about the cost of these compared.

Maybe it could be mixed with something to lower the pH. Maybe body lotion or oil and an emulsifier. Maybe the mixture would make it less likely to dry up. Maybe oil or lotion could be used to protect the skin from becoming irritated or dried.

It reminds me of how people get "playa foot" at Black Rock Desert during burning man because of the alkaline soil. It is described as an alkaline chemical burn, and the pH is around the same level.

There is probably also a risk of property damage if it dries and bonds to the surface. I don't know how hard it would be to wash off a surface or if the dried material is soluble in water. I also wonder if it is soluble in water for washing off. It is probably not safe to dispose in the drain. There are probably people here who know more.

On the topic of things that cause cancer:

* Bentonite may contain crystalline silica that is carcinogenic:
https://www.bulkapothecary.com/content/SDS/Bentonite%20Clay%20-%20BA19.pdf

* Kaolin clay may contain crystalline silica that is carcinogenic:
https://www.bulkapothecary.com/content/SDS/kaolin%20Clay%20SDS%20-%20BA19.pdf

* Joint Compound contains attapulgite which is possibly carcinogenic:
https://www.usg.com/content/dam/USG_Marketing_Communications/united_states/sds/usg-sheetrock-total-ready-mixed-all-purpose-joint-compound-sds-en-61000010013.pdf

This joint compound product reduced crystalline silica to levels below safety regulations for use in construction, so it is not expected to increase the risk of cancer. Bentonite and kaolinite sold from the pottery store say it may cause cancer. See section 11, Carcinogenicity.

It seems like a good idea to mix in a ventilated area or use a respirator to avoid breathing in the dust. Personally I would not worry about trace amounts of materials that cause cancer unless I used these products frequently.

These are just the safety data sheets for specific products. Every product is different. Some joint compounds may be made with additives and may be dangerous.

Take this info with a grain of salt because I am no scientist and I don't even get messy with joint compound, bentonite, kaolin clay, or even any clay or mud. I just like to over analyze things and research. It has been mentioned in this forum in the past if you search for "joint compound" with the quotes. There was 2 male picture scenes featuring joint compound which are now deleted. It would be nice because of how convenient it is to get it from a nearby hardware store rather than a pottery store or waiting for shipping. The bottom line is that it probably isn't worth it.

Here is a non-wam informative professional video about mixing joint compound. It sure does look appealing. It reminds me of how weird I am for liking videos showing buckets of mud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpZ1PfiEa5w