Zinc Oxide

A naturally occurring, slightly clumpy, inorganic white powder.

A dry, mildly clumpy powder.

Dry, and a relatively fine powder (but not silky smooth). A bit chalky to the touch.

Nothing remarkable. A bit dusty.

Insoluble

In cosmetics for opacity, in masks and salves for soothing and anti-chafing properties.

If you want to make makeup, calamine, or diaper cream, it’s essential. Otherwise it’s easy to do without.

Anti-chafing, astringent, soothing.

The opacity and adhesion isn’t great, so even though lots of people try to use it as an alternative for titanium dioxide in cosmetics, it doesn’t work.

In most things where zinc oxide (USA / Canada) is called for you can’t swap it for anything else. It is not a good alternative for titanium dioxide in cosmetics due to its inferior coverage.

I love it in some cosmetics, anti-chafing powders, and calamine anything. As with all fine powders, use a dust mask to avoid inhaling it. Don’t combine it with flax oil as that can create an exothermic reaction that might ignite.

Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, zinc oxide (USA / Canada) has an indefinite shelf life.

Zinc oxide is the key anti-irritation ingredient in calamine lotion and baby cream.

100g (3.3oz)

Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.