IN THIS ARTICLE
It always helps to know what you feed to your body, whether through food or skin.
Sure, sunscreen is crucial to skincare, but knowing what ingredients it contains and how it helps your skin is equally a must.
There are 3 types of sunscreens: physical, chemical & hybrid.
While chemical sunscreens consist of chemical UV filters, mineral or physical sunscreens use natural minerals like Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide to block UV rays from penetrating your skin.
Traditionally Zinc Oxide was used as a topical powder to treat diaper rashes in toddlers due to its modest anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Over time, with numerous research vouching for its beneficial properties, it is now a staple in mineral sunscreens, opening doors to sun protection for teens and people with sensitive skin.
In this blog, let’s understand more about zinc oxide and its usage in sunscreens.
What is Zinc Oxide - let’s talk science
Zinc Oxide is an inorganic chemical compound formed by one zinc atom and one oxygen, held together by an ionic bond. It is denoted as ZnO in chemistry and occurs naturally in the form of the mineral, zincite. Mineral-based sunscreens infuse Zinc Oxide by reacting its vapours with oxygen.
By using a mineral particle in the sun protection formula, mineral-based sunscreens act like a layer of barrier on your dermis, protecting against UV rays.
Being water-insoluble, Zinc Oxide cannot be topically absorbed by the skin and hence needs to be layered with a ‘carrier’ agent, eg, beeswax.
In today’s science-backed skincare formula, Zinc Oxide is used as nanoparticles, providing a matte, non-sticky finish without any white residue or product buildup.
Benefits of Zinc Oxide in sunscreens
The properties of Zinc Oxide as a skincare ingredient are unique. Let’s understand why using Zinc Oxide in sunscreens elevates the formula:
1. ZnO provides broad-spectrum sun protection.
The UV rays emitted by the sun have varied frequencies that determine their penetrability into the skin. The longer the frequency, the more damage the rays can do to your skin. ZnO can effectively reflect and absorb all long-frequency UV rays, ensuring that minimum UV rays penetrate your dermis.
2. ZnO is photo stable.
Most chemical compounds tend to degrade when exposed to sunlight, but ZnO is photo stable. Thus, when infused in a sun protection formula, it ensures long lasting benefits on the skin.
3. ZnO is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Be it oily, dry, or combination skin, you can use ZnO on your face without any hitch. It doesn’t interfere with oil regulation or hydration of your skin.
4. ZnO is inert and can be combined with other ingredients.
Being non-reactive as a chemical compound, ZnO is compatible with other skincare ingredients. This makes it possible to formulate formulas that can manage multiple skin issues while working as a skin protection formula.
5. ZnO forms a protective barrier on the skin surface against the sun.
Due to its insolubility in water, ZnO particles do not seep into your skin. Rather, they form a thin layer of an even barrier over the surface of your skin. Thus when used in sun protection, it absorbs and reflects the majority of UV rays of the sun before it can even touch the dermis.
How is Zinc Oxide sun protection different from chemical UV filters, sun protection
Chemical sunscreens and mineral sunscreens differ from each other in many ways, starting with their ingredients.
Mineral sunscreens incorporate two FDA-approved mineral ingredients: titanium dioxide and Zinc Oxide
In chemical SPF formulas, the most common chemical UV filters are Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, and Homosalate.
Here are a few more differences in these two kinds of sunscreen filters.
|
Zinc Oxide |
|
|
Forms an even and thin physical barrier on the skin surface to protect against the sun |
Penetrate the skin and manage to deflect the frequencies from reaching the deeper layers. |
|
It is photostable and doesn’t degenerate when exposed to sunlight |
Can degenerate when exposed to sunlight, unless supported by safe, new gen UV filters |
|
Suitable to all skin types, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic |
Varies in suitability from skin to skin |
|
Water and sweat-resistant |
Not resistant to water or sweat |
|
Blocks UV ray penetration into the dermis– doesn’t trigger hyperpigmentation |
working under the skin, they absorb UV rays to protect the deeper layers of the skin and release them as heat, might trigger hyperpigmentation and dark spots. |
What are the ingredients that pair well with Zinc Oxide in sunscreens?
1. Green tea
Soothes your skin and regulates oil production on your face, further supporting the zinc oxide sunscreen to protect your skin against UV rays.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
Extremely effective as a humectant, this ingredient can hold 1000 times more water than its molecular weight. When infused in a Zinc Oxide sunscreen, it maintains the moisture level of your skin by attracting water from the environment, while ZnO as a barrier locks in all the moisture while protecting your skin from the sun.
3. Ceramides
Being an ingredient that is known to strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, ceramide sunscreen boost the efficacy of a Zinc Oxide sunscreen.
4. Niaciamide
Renowned for its skin brightening properties, niacinamide sunscreen is also an effective hydrating agent that gives your skin an added boost of hydration.
5. Vitamin E
This vitamin promotes cell regeneration and turnover, vitamin e sunscreen which helps your skin combat signs of aging, photo damage and even skin dryness.
6. Alpha Arbutin
A mild but effective de tanning agent, alpha arbutin sunscreen helps even out uneven skin tone effectively.
What is the right way to use a Zinc Oxide sunscreen?
-
Always opt for at least 35 SPF or above, even for a Zinc Oxide sunscreen.
-
Do not skip sunscreen even if you are indoors.
-
Take a generous amount and layer it all over your face and neck.
-
Reapply sunscreen every 3-4 hours.
-
Opt for oil-free sun protection formulas if you have oily-acne-prone skin.
-
Opt for hydrating sun protection formulas for dry skin.
-
Opt for hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic formulas for sensitive skin.
Zinc oxide is a scarcely available mineral with incredible sun protection abilities as it works as a natural UV filter. ZnO is usually lab synthesized to be used commercially, and it also has modest anti-inflammatory properties that soothe your skin and can also fight hyper-pigmentation.
Opt for sunscreen with Zinc Oxide and leave all your sun damage worries aside!
FAQs:
What is zinc oxide in sunscreen?
Zinc Oxide is a mineral compound that works as a natural UV filter in sunscreen.
Is zinc oxide sunscreen safe for skin?
Yes, Zinc Oxide sunscreen is suitable for all skin types.
Can I use zinc oxide on my face?
Yes. Zinc Oxide is inert and hence doesn’t cause any reactivity, even used for your delicate facial skin.
Why is zinc oxide used in sunscreen?
Zinc Oxide has modest anti-inflammatory properties and advances UV filtration properties that make it an ideal ingredient for sunscreens.
