Zinc, an essential mineral with a variety functions in the body, extends its influence to skin health. We use so many products every day and many of us have no idea what it is we are putting onto or into our bodies. But many of the ingredients we use are, as they should, protecting us from the sun’s harmful rays, preventing skin irritations and dryness, and easing discomfort.
There are some ingredients in your cosmetic arsenal that could help deal with many of these issues. For example, Zinc Oxide is one of the safe ingredients you should be thankful for if you have incorporated it into your daily skincare routine.
Zinc oxide is a natural mineral. Zinc oxide topical (for the skin) is used to treat diaper rash, minor burns, severely chapped skin, or other minor skin irritations. So, not only does this special little substance help treat irritations on the skin and protection from environmental pollutants, but it is most commonly used for powerful SPF protection.
Why you should use Zinc Oxide?
As stated above, Zinc Oxide is a natural mineral with some great properties for the skin. Here are other reasons you should seek it out in your daily products.
1 Zinc Oxide is known to reflect, refract, and deflect stronger and longer UV rays than your typical chemical-based sunscreens.
2 Zinc Oxide is also known to be better for sensitive skin types or for those that suffer from eczema and dry skin since it is oil-free and does not leach into the pores.
Why is this important?
Most chemical-based SPF products absorb into the skin’s pores which can cause existing skin irritations or allergies to flare up or to get worse. Also, common drugstore variety chemical SPF products often contain harsh ingredients that are absorbed into the body and the bloodstream in some cases.
Many of these SPF products also have a tendency to be formulated with dyes and artificial scents which can also cause issues and bad reactions in people with multiple chemical sensitivities or allergies.
Unlike these chemical-based SPF options, Zinc Oxide sits atop the skin’s natural barrier and provides natural skin-soothing results while being non-allergenic. So, it does not irritate the skin by absorbing deeply into the skin’s layers with harmful chemicals.
What are the uses of Zinc Oxide?
Since Zinc is developed generally in a powder form, and is not water-soluble, it needs to be mixed into thicker, malleable substances like beeswax or essential oils in order to create smooth skin care applications, such as sunscreen products!
When used in a proper formulation, Zinc Oxide sits on top of the skin’s surface, and your skin still gets the sun protection it needs without being thick, absorbing slowly, or leaving a slick feeling after application.
You should also remember that Zinc Oxide is gentle on the skin. In essence, it is harsh on UV rays, but considerate of the skin’s natural epidermis. This is a big reason why Zinc Oxide is often used to cure diaper rash on sensitive baby skin, and is even used in various soaps, foot powders, and personal care products for both prevention and treatment of various skin issues.
Precautions when using Zinc Oxide
No ingredient, formula, or product comes without precautionary warnings. Zinc Oxide has many benefits that all of us can benefit from. But, what are some of the things you should be wary of before using it on your skin?
In the rare cases of those that use Zinc Oxide and have reactions, there is a possibility of skin irritation, itching, rashes, and the like.
If you do have a reaction to using Zinc Oxide, it is best to consult your doctor to see if you are potentially allergic to this ingredient.