Zinc Oxide

What is it?	A naturally occurring, slightly clumpy, inorganic white powder.
Appearance	A dry, mildly clumpy powder.
Texture	Dry, and a relatively fine powder (but not silky smooth). A bit chalky to the touch.
Scent	Nothing remarkable. A bit dusty.
Solubility	Insoluble
Why do we use it in formulations?	In cosmetics for opacity, in masks and salves for soothing and anti-chafing properties.
Do you need it?	If you want to make makeup, calamine, or diaper cream, it’s essential. Otherwise it’s easy to do without.
Strengths	Anti-chafing, astringent, soothing.
Weaknesses	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.
Alternatives & Substitutions	In most things where zinc oxide 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.
How to Work with It	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.
Storage & Shelf Life	Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, zinc oxide has an indefinite shelf life.
Tips, Tricks, and Quirks	Zinc oxide is the key anti-irritation ingredient in calamine lotion and baby cream.
Recommended starter amount	100g (3.3oz)
Where to Buy it	Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.