The Secret Superpowers of Zinc Oxide (That Have Nothing to Do With SPF)

By Bree Vanleeuwen, PA-C | Founder, Daily Shade

When most people think of zinc oxide, they think "sunscreen."

And sure, it's the gold standard for UV protection. But honestly? That's just scratching the surface.

As a Physician Assistant who's spent way too many years studying skin health (and even MORE years desperately searching for the perfect sunscreen for my own kids), I've become kind of obsessed with zinc oxide.

Not just for sun protection.

For literally everything else it does. Remember the Dad on My Big Fat Greek Wedding, yeah he should have been using ZINC!

Because here's what nobody tells you: Zinc oxide is one of the most underrated multitasking ingredients in skincare. Period.

Let me explain why I'm so annoyingly passionate about this.

Zinc Oxide: The Ultimate Skin Soother

Okay so, ever wonder why diaper rash cream works so well? ZINC. And why its the ingredient chosen that is safe enough for a brand new baby?! ZINC!

ZINC (the same ingredient we use in our Daily Shade Sunscreen) is what the dermatologist recommends for eczema, rosacea, basically any time your skin having a meltdown.

ZINC is a mineral that is naturally anti-inflammatory and incredibly soothing which is why it shows up in literally everything from diaper creams to acne treatments to the stuff they give you after laser procedures. In fact, after a laser treatment on the skin the doctor’s office will specifically tell you to protect your skin from the sun but do NOT use chemical based sunscreens “for the first few days”. But ZINC, yes! Alllll day long!

When your skin is angry, red, or freaking out, zinc oxide basically tells it to chill.

It reduces inflammation at the cellular level, which helps:

• Calm down redness and blotchiness

• Soothe irritated or reactive skin (my kids have this constantly)

• Reduce inflammation from acne, rosacea, environmental stress

• Take away that awful "sting" when your skin barrier is compromised

This is honestly why I feel so confident recommending Babe Shade for kids with sensitive skin, eczema, or even mild sunburns. It's not just protecting them from UV damage it's actively making their skin feel better while it's on.

Which is kind of amazing when you think about it.

It Actually Helps Your Skin Heal Itself

Okay here's where it gets really cool.

Zinc isn't just sitting there on your skin doing nothing. It's actively working to support your skin's natural healing processes.

Zinc promotes:

• Collagen synthesis (which equals skin strength and elasticity)

• Cell regeneration (faster healing, fresher-looking skin)

• Wound repair (this is why derms use it post-procedure)

• Skin barrier restoration (keeps the good stuff in, bad stuff out)

This is why zinc oxide shows up in products for:

• Post-laser or chemical peel recovery

• Healing minor cuts, scrapes, burns

• Strengthening damaged or compromised skin barriers

• Supporting skin after aggressive treatments

I've literally had multiple dermatology colleagues tell me they recommend zinc oxide ONLY products not just for sun protection, but for barrier repair after procedures.

Your skin sees zinc and is like "Praise be, backup is here."

I mean, how many ingredients can you say that about?

Won't Clog Pores or Cause Breakouts

Let's talk about something that stresses out basically everyone with acne-prone skin: Will this clog my pores?

With zinc oxide? Nope.

Zinc oxide is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn't clog pores or trigger breakouts. Actually, it often helps with acne.

Here's the thing:

1. It balances oil production.
Zinc helps regulate sebum (skin oil) production. Less greasy skin, fewer clogged pores. Simple as that.

2. It has mild antimicrobial properties.
Zinc naturally fights the bacteria that contribute to acne (C. acnes), without being harsh or super drying like benzoyl peroxide can be.

3. It reduces inflammation.
And since acne is basically an inflammatory condition at its core, zinc's anti-inflammatory properties help calm existing breakouts AND prevent new ones.

This is why you'll find zinc in so many acne treatments and why people with oily, acne-prone skin can (and SHOULD!) use mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide.

Real talk: If you've been avoiding mineral sunscreen because you think it'll break you out, try a modern formulation like Babe Shade. The non-nano, surface-treated zinc we use is designed specifically to sit on top of skin (where it belongs) without clogging pores or feeling heavy.

Because life's too short for sunscreen that gives you pimples.

It's Photostable (Unlike Chemical Sunscreens)

Okay this one is technically about sun protection, but it's such an important difference that I have to mention it.

Chemical sunscreen filters (like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate) work by absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat. The problem? They literally break down in sunlight. That's why you have to reapply every 90 minutes to 2 hours not just because it rubs off, but because the active ingredients are actually degrading while you're wearing them.

Zinc oxide, on the other hand, physically reflects and scatters UV rays. It doesn't absorb them. It doesn't break down. It doesn't degrade in the sun.

It's photostable.

Which means:

• It keeps working as long as it stays on your skin

• It doesn't create free radicals as it degrades (chemical filters can do this)

• It provides consistent, reliable protection

• You're mainly reapplying because of sweat/water/rubbing not formula failure

From a skincare science perspective, this is actually huge. You want ingredients that work consistently and don't create additional oxidative stress on your skin.

Zinc delivers on this every single time.

It's Reef-Safe and Ocean-Friendly

Let's step away from your skin for a second and talk about the planet. Because this matters too.

Hawaii literally banned chemical sunscreen ingredients (oxybenzone and octinoxate) in 2021 because they were proven to cause coral bleaching and harm marine ecosystems.

The U.S. Virgin Islands followed.

Key West, Florida banned them.

And honestly? It seems like many people are still trying to decide if these bans are legit if UV chemical filters are in fact harming the reef. The reason the above locations have taken such a bold stance is the uv chemical filters have been found to:

• Cause coral bleaching

• Disrupt coral reproduction

• Damage coral DNA

• Harm fish and other marine life

Zinc oxide? It's one of the only UV filters that's been proven not to harm marine life.

It doesn't dissolve into the water. It doesn't bioaccumulate in fish. It doesn't bleach coral reefs.

It just... exists. Inert. Doing its job. Hurting literally no one.

So when you choose a mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide (like Babe Shade), you're not just protecting your skin you're protecting the ocean too.

And honestly as a mom, that feels really good to know.

It Protects Compromised or Healing Skin

Here's something most people don't realize:

Zinc oxide has mild antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

This is why dermatologists absolutely love it for:

• Post-surgical skin

• Healing wounds or abrasions

• Skin recovering from burns (including sunburns)

• Compromised or broken skin barriers

• Conditions like perioral dermatitis or impetigo

When your skin is healing, it's vulnerable to infection. Zinc creates this protective barrier that:

• Shields the area from environmental bacteria

• Reduces inflammation (obviously)

• Supports the actual healing process

• Prevents secondary infections

This is also why zinc oxide is used in medical-grade barrier creams for patients with incontinence or ostomy care it protects really fragile, compromised skin from further damage.

Real-world application for us parents: If your kid has a minor scrape or mild sunburn, a thin layer of zinc-based sunscreen (yes, really!) can actually help protect and soothe the area while it heals. Obviously consult your pediatrician for anything serious, but zinc is incredibly gentle and therapeutic for minor skin stuff.

I've used it on my own kids more times than I can count.

No More White Cast (Thanks to Modern Formulations)

"Okay Bree, zinc sounds amazing. But isn't it the ingredient that makes you look like a literal ghost?"

It used to be. And honestly, this is why I almost gave up on zinc entirely.

Old-school zinc oxide sunscreens were thick, white, paste-like, and left you looking like a lifeguard from 1985.

But modern formulations especially DAILY SHADE non-nano zinc have completely changed the game. We’re not going to spill the beans on how we do it (obviously) but let me say it wasn’t easy, it took us 4 years and over 50 formulas to arrive at Babe Shade.

We wanted all the benefits of zinc oxide the safety, the soothing properties, the skin support, the environmental friendliness without looking like we applied spackle to our faces.

And we finally, FINALLY did it.

(After many tears and way too much money spent on failed samples.)

The Bottom Line: Zinc Is Basically a Skincare Superhero

Let's just recap real quick what zinc oxide does beyond SPF:

✅ Anti-inflammatory: Calms redness, irritation, reactive skin
✅ Promotes healing: Supports collagen, cell regeneration, wound repair
✅ Non-comedogenic: Won't clog pores or cause breakouts
✅ Balances oil production: Helps regulate sebum
✅ Antimicrobial:  Protects compromised or healing skin
✅ Photostable: Doesn't break down in sunlight like chemical filters
✅ Reef-safe: Doesn't harm marine life or coral reefs
✅ Supports skin barrier: Strengthens your skin's natural defenses
✅ Gentle for all skin types: Sensitive, acne-prone, reactive, baby skin

And oh yeah, it also happens to provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection that's considered the gold standard by basically every dermatologist worldwide.

Not bad for one little mineral, right?

Why I'm So Obsessed (and Why You Should Be Too)

As a PA I was trained to practice medicine. I wasn’t trained (this isn’t part of the medical model curriculum) on ingredients. But now owning this company and being years deep iimmersed in this world of formulation here’s what I would encourage you to ask yourself: What does this actually do? What is the safety data? Does it work consistently?

Zinc oxide checks every single box.

As a mom, I look at products from a totally different angle: Will my kids cooperate with this? Is it easy to use? Can I feel good about putting this on their skin literally every single day?

Zinc oxide checks those boxes too.

That's why it's the only active ingredient in Babe Shade. And why you will not find any uv chemical boosters in our formulas. 

Not because it's trendy (though we’ve taken a sleepy ingredient and brought it back to life).

Not because it's "clean" (though it is incredibly safe).

But because it's honestly the most effective, multitasking, skin-supporting UV filter that exists and it does SO much more than just protect from the sun.

It's skincare that works with your body, not against it.

It's protection that actually improves your skin health while it's on.

And after 4 years of obsessive formula development and testing, I couldn't be more proud that we built our entire product line around this incredible mineral.

Like, genuinely proud. The kind of proud where I get weirdly emotional talking about sunscreen at parties.

(My husband can confirm this is real.)

Your Skin Deserves More Than Just SPF

When you apply sunscreen especially to your kids you should feel confident that you're not just preventing sun damage.

You should know that you're:

• Actually soothing their skin

• Supporting their skin barrier function

• Using ingredients that won't disrupt hormones or harm the environment

• Giving them protection that legitimately benefits their skin health

That's the Daily Shade difference.

And honestly? That's the zinc oxide difference.

Next time someone asks why you're so picky about sunscreen, just tell them:

"Because it's not just about SPF. It's about everything else zinc does while it's protecting my family."

And then maybe send them this blog post because I clearly have a lot of feelings about this.

Want to experience what next-generation zinc oxide sunscreen actually feels like?

Shop Babe Shade – The mineral sunscreen that does it all: protects, soothes, supports your skin, and actually disappears. No white cast. No thick paste. No fighting with your kids.

Because your skin deserves more than just UV protection. It deserves zinc.

About the Author:
Bree Vanleeuwen is a Physician Assistant specializing in skin cancer prevention, and the founder of Daily Shade. After years of struggling to find a true mineral sunscreen her kids wouldn't literally run away from, she spent 4 years developing Daily Shade a truly invisible mineral sunscreen company that makes TRUE mineral sunscreen effortless for families. She lives in Utah with her husband and four (now very well sun-protected) kids.

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Have questions about zinc oxide or Daily Shade?
Drop a comment below or email us at hello@dailyshade.com 

I genuinely love talking about skincare science. (Sometimes too much, according to my family.)

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