Formula for zinc oxide

Is Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum: Top 7 Facts

1. Nature of Zinc Oxide. Undeniably, zinc oxide is a metal zinc that has been oxidized. The chemical formula for zinc oxide is ZnO. In terms of chemistry, it is held together by 1 zinc atom and 1 oxygen atom held together tightly by an ionic bond. Zinc oxide occurs in nature, but as mineral zincite. Zincite is rare and almost pharmaceutically unavailable. Thus, zinc oxide is a commercial upgrade.

2. Processing of sunscreen. Zinc oxide is regularly used as the active ingredient among many sunscreens. Application of sunscreen is crucial to protect the skin against harmful UV rays. The body has a natural sunscreen, it is in a compensatory mechanism known as melanin production. As the body is exposed to sunlight, the skin stimulates the cells to produce tyrosinase to produce melanin. Melanin darkens the skin, a mechanism to protect the body from harmful radiation. All people need to apply sunscreen each time they go out. Caucasians, for example, are at high risk for skin cancer when exposed to UV rays regularly. Thus, pharmaceutical companies process zinc oxide from recycled zinc. Zinc is then purified via distillation to become pharmaceutical grade zinc oxide.

3. An identical mineral. Zinc oxide is also known as a ‘nature identical mineral’. This means that zinc oxide has an identical counterpart which is all natural, although pharmaceutical grade zinc oxide is processed in the laboratory.

4. Companies assure chemical-free zinc oxide. There has been debate about sunscreens being ‘chemical-free’. Zinc oxide is a laboratory-processed chemical, but it is also found in nature. Thus, it is natural-occurring, and not necessarily a synthetic chemical.

5. Nature of sunscreens. Chemical-free sunscreens are limited to sunscreens which only use zinc oxide and titanium oxide as primary active ingredients. Chemical-free sunscreens are usually non-mineral, nevertheless chemical.

6. Significantly able to block UV rays. Zinc oxide is definitely broad spectrum. It is a distinct chemical that does not dissolve in sunscreen and micro-particles in zinc oxide does not allow passage of it into the skin which makes it long lasting. Zinc oxide is way different than the conventional synthetic sunscreen which can easily get absorbed in skin.

7. Choosing chemical-free sunscreen. Zinc oxide is way more favourable than synthetic sunscreens. Zinc oxide containing sunscreens can significantly block wide spectrum UV rays and can help protect your skin against tanning, inflammation, and even reduce your risk for skin cancer. It is indeed imperative to start using zinc oxide sunscreen.