You may be asking why some gloves (especially vinyl and latex) come in powdered and powder-free versions.

Powder, commonly talcum or cornstarch, helps make gloves easier to put on and also more comfortable to wear. A common issue when you don gloves is the need to stretch and slide the glove over the wrist, especially the thumb. While being worn, gloves may slip or become warm which makes them sweaty.

Powder products help to alleviate these issues. But powdered gloves are not without risks in some industries.

Overall powdered gloves have a problematic history for medical purposes. The US FDA outright banned powdered gloves for medical use in early 2017 after a March 2016 proposal.

Powdered gloves for medical operations run risks of infection, irritation, and allergies that outweigh the discomfort for medical professionals.