The ingredient, explained

Calamine

A primary study examines this ingredient in the specified preparation and setting.

AbsorbentOpacifyingSkin protecting

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Calamine -zinc oxide and ferric oxide-

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Absorbent: Takes up dispersed or dissolved material, including water or oils.
Opacifying: Makes a product less transparent.
Skin protecting: A technical role associated with protecting skin from external factors.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human topical treatment study

Retrospective records associated adjunct calamine with better eczema, lesion-area and itch outcomes than mometasone alone.

What this does not tell us

Nonrandomized retrospective comparison, 50 infants. Calamine lotion is a formulation and steroid used in both groups; not isolated calamine efficacy or healthy-skin cosmetic evidence.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 36107506 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.