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Ingredients Sun protection Zinc Oxide
18Zn
Sourced from mineral
Tier · Moderate evidence
Sun protection

Zinc Oxide

INCI: Zinc Oxide · Also called: ZnO

A physical sunscreen that sits on top of your skin and blocks UV. Broad-spectrum and gentle enough for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.

For your skin

A physical sunscreen that sits on top of your skin and blocks UV. Broad-spectrum and gentle enough for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

Mineral UV filter that scatters and absorbs UVA and UVB across the full spectrum.

Why we tier this moderate

5 cited papers across 2 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.

4
United States
1
International

Layering matrix

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Cited research

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Kern C et al., Evaluation of an SPF50 Sunscreen Containing Photolyase and Antioxidants for its Anti-Photoaging Properties and Photoprotection, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2022;21(5):517-520 — 10.7% zinc oxide SPF50 mineral sunscreen improved photoaging signs over 12 weeks

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35533024View source ↗
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Schneider SL, Lim HW. A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2019;35(6):442-446. — Review confirms ZnO provides broad-spectrum UVA-UVB coverage; concludes zinc oxide sunscreens are safe with minimal percutaneous absorption risk.

2019Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:30444533View source ↗
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CIR Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics (Scott et al.), final report 2018 / re-review 2024 (covers zinc oxide among 27 zinc ingredients)

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Moseley H et al., New sunscreens confer improved protection for photosensitive patients in the blue light region, British Journal of Dermatology 2001;145(5):789-94 — zinc oxide + pigmentary TiO2 sunscreens delivered median PF 8 against 430 nm light

2001Positive (efficacy)PMID:11736903View source ↗
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U.S. FDA. 21 CFR § 352.10 — Sunscreen active ingredients. Zinc oxide listed as a permitted OTC sunscreen active ingredient at concentrations up to 25 percent. Superseded by OTC Monograph M020 (Final Administrative Order OTC000006).

1999Regulatory approval21CFR352.10View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.