The ingredient, explained

Zinc Oxide

An ingredient with topical research in specific skin-protection settings. The selected trial concerns diaper dermatitis.

UV filterAnti-inflammatoryBulkingCosmetic colorantSkin protectingUv absorber

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Zinc oxide -CI 77947-

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

UV filter: Filters some UV radiation. The ingredient label does not establish a finished product's SPF or UVA protection.
Anti-inflammatory: Research category concerning reduced inflammation. A discovery tag does not establish that an ingredient treats inflammation at the amount used in a product.
Bulking: Changes a product's bulk density.
Cosmetic colorant: Adds colour to a product or the surface where it is applied.
Skin protecting: A technical role associated with protecting skin from external factors.
Uv absorber: Protects the formulation against UV light. This role is distinct from a skin-protecting UV filter.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗ · National Cancer Institute: Anti-inflammatory definition ↗

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 research on a combination

In 46 children with diarrhoea, a zinc oxide and 5% dexpanthenol ointment was compared with its base on opposite sides for seven days. Water loss improved more on day three with the combination, but dermatitis severity did not significantly differ at the measured visits.

What this does not tell us

The zinc oxide concentration is not given in the abstract, and dexpanthenol was also present. This trial does not isolate zinc oxide, evaluate a facial cosmetic or establish a sunscreen's SPF.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 17128840 ↗

Research review checked Sep 30, 2026

Selected primary sources were reviewed for the existing research brief on 30 September 2026, with exact ingredient, route and combination limitations recorded. This was a bounded editorial review, not a systematic search.