Zinc
What Zinc is & what it does
Zinc on an ingredient list refers to the elemental metal or a simple zinc source, distinct from the mineral UV filter zinc oxide. In cosmetics zinc is generally used as a skin conditioning agent and is associated with soothing and balancing properties. On its own as listed it is not a UV filter and should not be confused with zinc oxide. No specific concerns are flagged for it here.
What is Zinc as a cosmetic ingredient?
Listed simply as Zinc, it refers to the elemental metal or a simple zinc source. It is distinct from zinc oxide, the mineral UV filter, so the two should not be confused.
What does Zinc do in skincare?
Zinc is generally used as a skin conditioning agent and is associated with soothing and balancing properties. As listed here it is not a UV filter and does not provide sun protection on its own.
Is Zinc safe in skincare?
Zinc is generally considered well tolerated at the levels used in cosmetics, and no specific concerns are flagged for it here. A patch test is reasonable for anyone with sensitive skin.
Sunscreens with Zinc
We rate 3 sunscreens that contain it:
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Sunplay Super Block SPF 81
76/100
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![La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30](https://cdn.ratemyspf.com/rails/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6IjVlMDYzZTQ2LWE4ODUtNDI4ZC04M2E1LTZmZTY1ZWNmZDYwMyIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--ef651b3227c2c3d8228d6e6b8f930e2a2942b28a/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls0MDAsNDAwXSwic2F2ZXIiOnsic3RyaXAiOnRydWUsInF1YWxpdHkiOjgyfX0sInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--3414e6aae33f13b0c0a1c5c6b96c208817df7764/la-roche-posay-effaclar-duo-spf30.jpg)
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30
65/100
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EltaMD Uv Replenish Broad-Spectrum Spf 44
49/100