It can be tough to navigate the world of skincare products, many with hard-to-pronounce ingredients that promise to work miracles on your skin. Aloe vera, castor oil, charcoal, and any number of other ingredients are all hawked as miracle compounds, but is there actual evidence to back any of it up? And how do you know which brands you can trust not to add on a bunch of fillers and preservatives that negate the good work of these ingredients?
One ingredient that has found its way into many natural skin care products is zinc oxide, an ingredient that has been used for both health and skin care for thousands of years. This compound is commonly used in suntan lotions, healing salves, and diaper creams thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Whether you’re looking for a new moisturizer or trying to treat a gnarly case of diaper rash, here are all of the ways that zinc oxide can benefit your skin:
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It Supports Healing
As a mineral, zinc is proven to fight inflammation and promote skin healing. Some people take zinc as a supplement, although it’s also commonly used in skincare products as a compound called zinc oxide. It works with other vitamins and minerals to treat skin conditions such as lesions, acne, rashes, and eczema. It’s also a common ingredient in some wound care products thanks to its ability to aid in skin healing and regeneration.
It Protects From The Sun
Zinc oxide does more than just heal the skin–it can prevent it from becoming damaged in the first place. Its protective properties make it a prime ingredient in a lot of sunscreens, as it helps to reflect the sun and create a barrier on top of the skin. You’ll find zinc oxide in a lot of natural sunscreens as it protects the skin without the need for a lot of other harsh chemicals.
It Has Antibacterial Properties
Zinc oxide also protects the skin from bacteria, which is a common irritant and source of acne and inflammation. It’s commonly taken as an oral supplement to treat acne, although it appears in many topical acne products as well. When used to treat diaper rash, zinc oxide helps protect the baby’s skin from the bacteria present in feces and urine, keeping the skin healthy and preventing the bacteria from seeping in.
It Seals Against Moisture
By creating a protective barrier on the skin, zinc oxide seals moisture in to prevent water loss and keep skin from drying out. This is good for a variety of skincare applications as the skin’s ability to regulate moisture can decrease with age or illness. By keeping skin moisturized and hydrated, zinc oxide can soothe skin irritation and prevent rashes from forming.
It’s A Primary Ingredient In Most Diaper Creams
For all of the reasons above, zinc oxide is a popular ingredient in most diaper creams. The protective barrier protects the baby’s fragile skin and reduces the frequency of diaper rash, acting as a perfect preventative. It’s also good as a diaper rash treatment thanks to its ability to soothe irritated skin and fight inflammation.
Most diaper rash creams contain between 10-40% zinc oxide as an active ingredient. Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream offers two options: a regular 12.8% zinc oxide diaper cream and a 3x Max option that contains 40% zinc oxide. In fact, Triple Paste products have been so effective at treating diaper rash that they’ve recently become popular as a nighttime face cream. With all of the positive properties of zinc oxide, it’s not surprising that people are finding results using it for creative purposes beyond treating diaper rash.
Although many so-called miracle compounds don’t pass the smell test, zinc oxide is one of the few that lives up to its reputation. If you see a skincare product or diaper cream with zinc oxide as the primary ingredient, it’s probably more effective than ones without it.
