There are ingredients in skin care products that offer various benefits, one of which is zinc oxide powder. Although it’s a chemical, this ingredient can maintain skin health and address several skin concerns.
This article will discuss some of the benefits of zinc oxide for skin health. Read on for more details below!
Understanding Zinc Oxide Powder and Its Benefits for Skin Health
Zinc oxide is a substance derived from the mineral zinc that can undergo an evaporation process to form a powder. This material is often used in skin lotions, topical treatments, and even as sun protection.
It is safe for the skin and offers numerous benefits for addressing a variety of common skin conditions. The following is a description of the benefits of zinc oxide for skin health.
- Relieves Itching and Rashes
When purchasing powder or lotion to treat rashes and itching, you’ll likely find this ingredient. Zinc oxide powder can help provide a protective barrier and soothe irritated skin. This helps promote the healing process of rashes, leading to a reduction in itching.
Because of these benefits, zinc oxide ointment is often used to soothe diaper rash in babies. It can also be found in calamine lotion.
- Protects from UV Rays
Zinc oxide is also often used as a sunscreen. Its small mineral particles work by reflecting and absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin. Meanwhile, its larger particles are useful for reflecting light.
However, its sunscreen form can leave a white film on the skin, which can be unsightly. Nevertheless, sunscreen use is still recommended to help reduce the risk of wrinkles and skin cancer.
- Reduces Acne
Some acne medications also contain zinc oxide. However, experts still don’t fully understand how this ingredient works to treat acne. However, it may have the potential to reduce skin inflammation caused by acne.
It can also reduce skin oil and the number of acne-causing bacteria. However, doctors often combine it with other acne medications, such as antibiotics and zinc gluconate.
- Accelerates Wound Healing
Another benefit of zinc oxide powder is that it helps accelerate the healing of skin wounds. This ingredient is believed to help reduce inflammation in wounds.
Furthermore, zinc oxide can also fight infection-causing bacteria that can slow wound healing. Remarkably, this ingredient can even stimulate the process of closing wounds with new skin tissue.
- Relieves Eczema Symptoms
Eczema is a skin inflammation that often occurs due to immune system problems. This results in a weakened skin barrier. According to the book Dermatology Research and Practice (2014), zinc oxide can help relieve skin inflammation.
This ingredient strengthens the skin’s tissue layer in areas affected by eczema, strengthening the skin barrier and reducing the risk of infection.
Lotions containing zinc oxide also help inhibit the release of a compound called histamine in the body. This compound is very dangerous because it triggers allergic reactions characterized by itching and redness.
These are some of the benefits of zinc oxide powder for skin health. Although it is chemical, this ingredient is very safe and can address various skin health problems. Therefore, don’t hesitate to use it if you experience various skin problems, such as those mentioned above.
