Why Zinc Oxide Is the Hero Ingredient Your Skin Needs

The Science of Zinc Oxide in Skin Care

Zinc Oxide in Skin Care

Zinc oxide is one of the most effective sunscreens in today’s skin care products. This naturally occurring mineral compound has numerous benefits for healthy, youthful skin.

In this detailed blog post, you’ll learn all about zinc oxide in skin care and how to incorporate it into your daily routine.

Take your free Baumann Skin Type Test today to find the personalized skin care routine that’s best for you!

What is zinc oxide?

Zinc oxide is made up of interconnected zinc and oxygen atoms. In its natural state, it is a fine, white powder.

While zinc itself is an essential trace element for the human body, zinc oxide has unique properties in skin care formulations.

Topically applied zinc oxide is usually deposited in the outermost layer of the skin, rather than penetrating deeper layers. This is key to understanding its mechanism and benefits.

In skin care, zinc oxide is primarily used as a physical broad-spectrum sunscreen.

It protects skin cells from UVA and UVB radiation by reflecting and scattering light waves, preventing them from damaging skin cells.

Before we get started, I want to introduce you to some of my favorite physical sunscreens:

The Science of Zinc Oxide in Skin Care

Zinc oxide is an important mineral for hundreds of bodily functions, and its properties are well-studied.

New studies are constantly being published on the potential benefits and drawbacks of zinc oxide in topical products.

We know that zinc oxide has other skin benefits besides sun protection, which we will discuss in detail below.

Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide is the most common ingredient in mineral sunscreens.

Due to its mineral composition and poor skin absorption, zinc oxide effectively blocks UVB rays (wavelength 290-320 nm) and short-wave UVA rays (320-340 nm).

This prevents sunburn, cell mutation, premature skin aging, and skin cancer.

Zinc oxide blocks long-wave UVA1 rays (340-400 nm) better than the mineral titanium dioxide. It provides very broad protection.

Research shows that it not only reflects radiation, but also absorbs a large portion of it.

Zinc Oxide for Melasma

Through UV protection, zinc oxide helps prevent melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially for those who are prone to discoloration.

UV rays that trigger excess melanin production are blocked before they reach skin cells. Additionally, oral zinc supplements can treat existing melasma.

Good sun protection is key to treating hyperpigmentation.

Zinc Oxide and Blue Light

Recent studies have shown that zinc oxide can protect the skin from visible blue light emitted by digital devices and fluorescent lights, which can cause premature aging of the skin over time.

While further research is needed, this mineral shows potential to neutralize blue light.

Antimicrobial Effects of Zinc Oxide

Most zinc oxide formulas do not penetrate the skin, but instead stay on the surface of the skin, providing antimicrobial benefits, where nanoparticle zinc oxide has shown antimicrobial properties in studies.

This means that zinc oxide cannot directly treat acne in most cases, and even in nanoparticle form, it is not enough to prevent acne on its own.

Is Zinc Oxide Safe?

Zinc oxide is considered a safe skin care material. Organizations such as EWG rate it 1-3, which is considered safe in most formulas.

CIR also describes it as safe. (10) It is not safe in all formulations because zinc oxide in nanoparticle form can be partially absorbed by the skin.

Zinc is different from some chemical sunscreen filters, which can cause irritation, allergies, or seep into the bloodstream in some people.

Zinc oxide, as a physical blocker that sits on the surface of the skin, is less susceptible to such reactions.

Be sure to wash off thick sunscreens at the end of the day to prevent them from clogging pores. Zinc oxide itself is not comedogenic, but some ingredients it is sometimes combined with can cause it.

Zinc Oxide Product Manufacturing

To achieve the above benefits, zinc oxide must be properly formulated in skin care products. Factors such as shape, coating, and mixing with other ingredients can affect its effectiveness.

Here are some scientific findings on this claim:

Zinc Oxide Particle Size

Depending on the application, zinc oxide has different particle sizes, which can affect its properties and effectiveness:

Nano zinc oxide contains tiny particles less than 0.2 microns in size. This makes them appear transparent on the skin and does not leave a white tint.

However, there are concerns that nanoparticles may penetrate the skin.

Micronized zinc oxide particles are slightly larger, at 0.2–0.3 μm. This particle size minimizes light scattering and ensures clarity, but is still too large to penetrate deeply into the skin.

Micronized zinc oxide offers the best of both worlds.

Larger, non-micronized zinc oxide particles are approximately 0.5–1 μm in size. They tend to leave a thicker, white residue on the skin, but are sometimes used in natural or mineral makeup.

Solid zinc oxide particles are larger than 1 μm and appear noticeably white on the skin.

Although they provide effective UV protection, most consumers consider the white residue cosmetically unacceptable.

The smallest nanoparticles provide the most elegant results, while micronized zinc oxide is too large to be absorbed by the skin, offering a balance between effectiveness and safety.

The best size depends on your skin concerns. Ultimately, the best sunscreen for you is the one you use regularly.

Zinc Oxide Coatings

Zinc oxide particles are coated with various coatings to improve certain properties:

Silicone, dimethicone, and polymer coatings make zinc oxide smoother, more visually appealing, and more water-resistant while enhancing UV protection. They also minimize photoreactivity.

Lecithin, glycerin, and aluminum oxide provide moisture and reduce particle agglomeration.

Larger zinc oxide particles are coated more frequently than smaller zinc oxide particles.

Mixing Zinc Oxide with Other Ingredients

Mixing Zinc Oxide with Other Mineral Sunscreens

While zinc oxide can absorb and reflect a fairly wide range of radiation, it works best when mixed with other ingredients, such as chemical sunscreen ingredients or other minerals, such as titanium dioxide or iron oxide.

To make sure all the ingredients in your sunscreen are working together to improve your skin’s health, take this quiz (coming soon!) and find the best sunscreen for you!

One interesting ingredient that can be used with zinc oxide is diamonds!

Products like Pavise Dynamic Age Defense use the highly reflective surface of diamond powder to significantly increase the radiation protection of your sunscreen. I highly recommend this product.

For our full range of sunscreens and SPF products, click here!

Pavise uses Diamond Core Technology to combine zinc with diamonds to create a clear, vegan, and marine-safe sunscreen that provides sun protection and antioxidants.

Zinc Oxide vs. Titanium Oxide

Like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide acts as a physical UV filter on the skin. However, there are some differences. Here’s how the two mineral sunscreens compare:

Zinc oxide offers slightly better UVA protection, while titanium dioxide offers excellent UVB protection.

Titanium dioxide is more photoreactive, and zinc oxide is more stable.

Titanium dioxide has a higher risk of penetrating the skin.

Zinc oxide is safer and less irritating overall.

In addition to protecting against UV radiation, zinc oxide also protects against blue light and discoloration.

For best results, a combination of the two minerals is ideal. The versatility of zinc oxide makes it an essential ingredient in skincare products.

Fun Facts About Zinc Oxide

The effectiveness and safety of zinc oxide has been scientifically proven. Zinc oxide is more than just a sunscreen.

Look for zinc oxide in sunscreens, moisturizers, serums, and masks to reap its many benefits. Your skin will thank you!

As always, the best skin care includes products tailored to your individual Bowman skin type. We’d be happy to provide you with personalized recommendations for zinc oxide tailored to your needs.

Take a test today and start your journey to healthy skin!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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