The Power of Zinc in Skincare

Zinc Benefits for Skin

Ever wondered, what does zinc do for the skin? Renowned for its superior skin protection benefits, Zinc or Zinc Oxide is a natural mineral that is widely used in skincare products for numerous reasons, to help elevate overall skin health. We’re all aware of Zinc being the hero ingredient in many skincare sunscreen formulations, but did you know the Zinc benefits for skin include accelerated wound healing, calming inflammation and helping to even out skin pigmentation? Furthermore, Zinc skincare products behold incredible antiseptic and astringent properties. This particularly gives skin care for acne a clear advantage to effectively treat pustules and skin congestion, whilst balancing the skin’s oil production to leave the skin clear and soothed. As a vital mineral for your skin’s resilience and overall health, Zinc is also key to supporting the skin’s natural functions. By stimulating collagen synthesis, calming skin flare ups and promoting optimal skin healing, Zinc is also helpful for those experiencing dermatitis or eczema as fragile skin conditions can be soothed and shielded from environmental aggressors.

Zinc's Anti-Inflammatory Properties

When the skin is inflamed, it can be prone to redness, flare ups and sensitivity. In addition, the natural skin barrier function can become compromised, which in turn can lead to skin cracking, chafing and even infection. This is where Zinc for skin really shines as an essential ingredient to be used in skincare. Zinc effectively reduces skin inflammation, calms, soothes and heals, making it highly beneficial for conditions like acne, eczema, and dermatitis. Zinc benefits for hair overlap with those for the skin, as Zinc has been found to decrease the symptoms of itching, redness and skin flaking that are commonly associated with dandruff. With the ability to help regenerate connective tissue and enhance collagen production, anti-inflammatory Zinc amplifies the skin’s ability to recover from trauma and supports more rapid skin healing. Is Zinc Oxide good for skin? Well we couldn’t be more convinced!

Zinc's Role in Wound Healing

There’s a very good reason why Zinc is commonly found in nappy rash creams. This is because Zinc is a superior natural ingredient that not only soothes and calms, but also promotes accelerated skin healing. Zinc benefits for acne, eczema, dermatitis and other fragile skin conditions have the common theme of improving the skin’s natural healing process whilst keeping the skin calm. This is another reason why Zinc is a go-to topical ingredient in treatments for sunburns. Zinc effectively strengthens the skin whilst enhancing cellular function to improve the skin’s overall resilience and immunity against environmental aggressors. In addition, Zinc helps to optimise collagen synthesis which is vital for skin regeneration and repair.

Protection Against UV Radiation

The sun can be harsh; not only is it capable of causing sunburn and premature ageing to unprotected skin, but also leaving you at risk of more serious skin cancers and melanoma. Thankfully, we know applying sunscreen is a daily non-negotiable, and that sunscreen with Zinc in particular provides high skin protection against harmful UV. Zinc is a very effective physical sun block that reflects UVA & UVB away from the skin. By doing this, topically applied Zinc effectively protects the skin from sunburn, photoageing and reduces the risk of developing skin cancer. If you use skin care for sensitive skin or suffer from acne, Zinc Oxide is a great choice within your SPF as it won’t irritate the skin or clog the pores.

Enhancing Skin Radiance and Elasticity

Anti aging skin care products often combine Vitamin C or Niacinamide & Vitamin B with Zinc in formulation to amplify the youth-enhancing benefits for the skin. Zinc boasts the ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production and accelerates skin regeneration which in turn, leaves the skin more radiant and glowing. When Zinc is used in skincare it has the ability to help plump it up and maintain a more youthful appearance, as the collagen it supports firms and fills. Add to this, the skin tone balancing benefits of this wonder mineral means that Zinc for skin pigmentation is vital and helps to optimise the overall radiance and vitality of the skin.

Top Zinc Skincare Products

When it comes to shopping for skincare products that contain Zinc, it can become a little overwhelming as to where to start. Let us take the hard work out of this for you with our guide to the best Zinc skincare products you’ll want to add to cart.

Zinc and Skin Problems:

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% strengthens the skin in its fight against acne, breakouts, congestion and the odd blemish. What makes this so effective is the combination of Vitamin B3 with Zinc PCA to accelerate skin healing post breakout whilst curbing excess sebum production.

Zinc for Balancing Skin Tone:

Medik8 Clarity Peptides is a highly effective soothing serum that helps to balance skin tone by calming redness, alleviating blotchiness and banishing blemishes. Zinc in this formulation has an anti-inflammatory effect to help increase skin clarity and leave the skin luminous.

Zinc for Sensitive Skin:

Aspect Dr Hydra Shield absorbs rapidly with a matte finish on the skin making this lightweight daily moisturiser comforting for sensitive and blemish prone skin alike. The skin strengthening properties of the Zinc within are amplified by antioxidants, whilst this hydrating and skin plumping day moisturiser has a plumping result on the skin.

Zinc for Sun Protection:

O Cosmedics Mineral Pro Tinted SPF 50+ is hands down one of the best tinted moisturisers you will find. Not only does this Zinc enriched formula offer high SPF50 protection from UVA & UVB, it’s also elevated with natural antioxidant-rich Kakadu Plum extract. Furthermore, this lightweight sunscreen offers a flattering self-adjusting tint for a healthy skin glow.

Acne Management

By now you would know some of the Zinc benefits for skin and hair, so let’s focus on the Zinc benefits for skin acne and breakout prone skin. The power of Zinc in skin care is noted as it helps to minimise the skin’s inflammatory response, which is present with acne and breakout activity. This calming and soothing effect on the skin is compounded by the skin healing benefits that Zinc offers, helping to minimise the chance of post blemish scarring from occurring. Additionally, Zinc helps to reduce excessive oil production which in turn, prevents pores from becoming congested and new breakouts appearing. If that wasn’t enough, Zinc also bears antiseptic properties to actively reduce the presence of bacteria that causes acne, helping to keep the skin clear, calm and more clarified.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief

For anyone that suffers bouts of eczema or dermatitis, you would know the relentless itching, skin redness and dryness that comes along with these skin conditions. Fortunately, Zinc has been shown to calm and soothe the skin inflammation associated with eczema and dermatitis, offering anti-itch and anti-irritation relief. In addition to this, Zinc is renowned for its skin strengthening properties, collagen & elastin synthesis support and ability to stimulate cellular regeneration which leads to accelerated skin healing and stronger skin resilience to aggressors. The eye area can be particularly tricky to treat if you are prone to skin sensitivity, so finding a good eye cream is vital for this area. Be sure to look for eye creams that contain Zinc as these will be more soothing, calming and restorative on this delicate area.

The advantages of Zinc within skincare products is profound, as this versatile natural mineral bears many benefits for the skin across an array skin types. From superior sun protection to accelerated wound healing, Zinc also helps calm, soothe and strengthen the skin to build resilience. No matter the current state of your skin, you can be assured that Zinc can help to plump, balance and clarify the skin’s appearance whilst helping to keep it in optimal health.