Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Facts

Zinc oxide sunscreens are known to be one of the most effective products when it comes to protect ourselves from sun rays, as they are able to physically block both the damaging Ultraviolet A (UVA) and B (UVB) radiation. The ability of physically blocking the sun radiation is present in what we call "sunblocks", as opposed to most common sunscreens, which only filter part of the sun's radiation.

Zinc oxide sunscreens not only provide with complete protection against UVA and UVB rays, but also posses anti-inflammatory properties. Together with titanium dioxide based products, they are some of the best options for protecting the skin against sun light, although titanium dioxide sunscreens are not advisable for use on children on a regular basis, as there are concerns that some of its components may be harmful.

But not everything is good news when it comes to zinc oxide sunscreens. Historically, zinc oxide products leave a white residue on the skin. To solve this issue, zinc oxide can be used in the form of nanoparticles, which maintain all of the sun blocking properties of the original material but cannot be seen on the skin. This would seem like an ideal solution, but recently there has been concerns about the safety of nanoparticles in sunscreens. The main concern is the possibility of nanoparticles being absorbed into the skin cells and interacting with sun rays, therefore increasing the risk of damage.

There has been several studies conducted in order to answer this question and, to this date, the conclusion is that the zinc oxide nanoparticles do not seem to reach viable skin cells (cells that are alive and capable of growth), and remain in the outer layer of the skin, which is composed of non-viable cells. However, studies continue and health agencies across the world are monitoring the latest developments to ensure that appropriate action is taken if safety concerns arise.

As of now, no country in the world has introduced a mandatory labeling of nanoparticles in sunscreens, although most of them require that all active ingredients, such as zinc oxide, must be clearly stated in the products' labels. Thus, these sunscreens remain one of the best choices if you require a strong protection against the sun's radiation. However, if you rather wait until a final verdict is made in the case of nanoparticles, you can always use a common sunscreen with a high SPF factor and make sure you don't spend too much time under the sun.


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