Active ingredients in the spotlight: zinc oxide

We come across the name zinc oxide relatively often on cosmetics shelves. For baby care products, for example – many wound protection creams contain this active ingredient. But the ingredient is also often present in mineral sunscreens. But what exactly is behind it? Zinc oxide is a chemical compound consisting of zinc and oxygen. It occurs as a powder, is white and odorless and has a high hiding power. Due to its different modes of action, it can be used in a variety of ways. The ingredient has an anti-inflammatory effect, allows skin irritations to subside quickly, promotes wound healing and yet is so gentle that it can be used without hesitation even on very sensitive skin. It also binds moisture to the skin, preventing further softening. For this reason, it is often used in wound protection creams to care for sore baby and toddler bottoms. But the antiseptic effect of the active ingredient can also have wonderful results in the treatment of acne. In addition, zinc oxide acts as a natural UV filter and is therefore often used in sunscreens. It reflects light on the skin and thus naturally blocks UVA and UVB rays and is also very well tolerated by people with sensitive skin.