In the personal care and cosmetics industry, zinc oxide (ZnO) is often first associated with mineral sunscreens. As a typical inorganic UV filter, zinc oxide is widely used in sunscreen formulations due to its broad-spectrum UV protection, excellent photostability, and long-established application history.
From an optical perspective, zinc oxide has a refractive index of approximately 2.0–2.1. Compared with high-refractive-index titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which has a refractive index of approximately 2.5–2.7, zinc oxide exhibits milder visible light scattering and higher transparency. Through particle size control, crystal structure optimization, and surface treatment technologies, zinc oxide can achieve a balanced performance between UV protection, transparency, and skin feel.
However, the application value of zinc oxide extends beyond sun care. As an inorganic functional powder combining material properties with functional benefits, zinc oxide also demonstrates significant potential in skin protection, sensitive and problem skin care, and the development of functional materials.
01 Physical Barrier & Astringent Protection: Beyond Isolation, Toward Soothing Care
As a water-insoluble inorganic powder, zinc oxide can form a continuous protective layer on the skin surface, reducing direct contact between the skin and external irritants such as urine, sweat, and friction, thereby providing physical protection. Its excellent skin coverage capability is also a key foundation for its long-standing use in skin protective products.[1]
Infant Care: A Classic Application Area
In infant care, zinc oxide is one of the classic functional ingredients with a long history of application, particularly in products such as diaper creams and diaper rash care ointments.
Diaper dermatitis is typically associated with multiple contributing factors, including prolonged exposure to moisture, irritation from urine and feces, and friction. Studies have shown that proteolytic enzymes and lipases in feces can cause significant skin irritation, and continuous exposure may lead to erythema and disruption of the epidermal barrier.[2]
In this care scenario, zinc oxide primarily works by forming a protective layer on the skin surface, reducing direct contact between the skin and urine, feces, and humid environments, thereby helping to minimize continuous irritation.
In addition, zinc oxide exhibits certain astringent and absorptive properties, allowing it to absorb wound exudates, help maintain a dry local skin environment, and support the care of mild skin erosion.[3]
Therefore, from infant diaper care products to other skin barrier protection applications, the value of zinc oxide extends beyond simple “coverage.” Through its combined material properties of physical isolation, absorption, and astringency, zinc oxide provides protective support for skin exposed to moisture, friction, and external irritants.
02 Acne-Prone Skin & Problem Skin Care: Physical Regulation and Auxiliary Care
The application of zinc oxide in problem skin care also has a long history of practical use. Beyond simple physical coverage, its influence on the skin microenvironment and microbial interactions provides further research support for its application in acne-prone skin and other skin care scenarios.
1) Interaction with Microbial Surfaces
It should be noted that the antibacterial mechanism of zinc oxide has not yet been fully elucidated. Existing studies suggest that its antibacterial activity may be associated with factors including particle surface properties, interactions with microbial cells, and Zn²⁺ release. The contribution of each mechanism may vary depending on material characteristics and testing conditions.[4]
In addition, the antibacterial performance of zinc oxide can be influenced by multiple factors, including particle size, concentration, morphology, surface properties, pH, and light conditions. Therefore, the actual performance may vary among different zinc oxide materials, formulation systems, and testing conditions.
2) Non-Light-Dependent Antibacterial Research
Studies on nano zinc oxide have demonstrated that antibacterial activity can still be observed under dark conditions. Joe et al. investigated different types of nano zinc oxide and found that, under their experimental conditions, the antibacterial effect in the absence of light was not attributed to ROS generation, but was mainly related to the attachment of zinc oxide particles to bacterial cell walls, localized dissolution at attachment sites, and subsequent Zn²⁺ release.[5]
------------------------------------------------------ Product Application Case ------------------------------------------------------
UNI-Zn 999P —— Exploring the Application of Zinc Oxide in Problem Skin Care
Based on the established applications of zinc oxide in skin care, UNI-POWDER conducted an acne care efficacy evaluation of UNI-Zn 999P (high-purity) zinc oxide.
According to third-party Cutibacterium acnes antibacterial testing, UNI-Zn 999P (high-purity) zinc oxide demonstrated an inhibition rate of 23.17%–81.89% at concentrations ranging from 10% to 50%, indicating potential acne care efficacy.
Figure: Effect of the Tested Sample at Different Concentrations on the Activity of Cutibacterium acnes
Validated through efficacy testing, this zinc oxide ingredient demonstrates application potential in problem skin care systems, providing functional support for the development of acne care products.
Combined with zinc oxide’s inherent skin protection and microenvironment-regulating properties, it can be applied in:
Acne care products
Oily skin care products
Soothing and repairing products
Scalp care products
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03 Cross-Industry Expansion: Versatile Applications of Zinc Oxide
Beyond direct applications in skin care products, zinc oxide, with its inorganic material properties and functional characteristics such as antibacterial activity, has also been explored in the development of functional textile materials and various application scenarios, demonstrating its versatile value across industries.
01) Functionalization of Textiles and Nonwoven Materials
In the development of functional clothing, close-contact fabrics, and infant and feminine hygiene care materials, researchers can introduce zinc oxide into textile systems through approaches such as fiber modification, surface treatment, and composite processing, enabling the materials to acquire functional properties including antibacterial performance.
Previous studies have reported technical approaches for the functional treatment of cotton fabrics using zinc oxide, demonstrating that zinc oxide can impart certain functional characteristics to textile materials through surface modification and other methods.[6]
For nonwoven materials, zinc oxide applications can also be developed around functions such as antibacterial protection and material functionalization, making it suitable for long-term contact care materials.
02) Physical Capture and Chemical Neutralization of Odor Molecules
Zinc oxide also demonstrates potential value in deodorizing applications. For example, human foot odor is associated with volatile compounds produced through skin microbial metabolism, among which isovaleric acid and other short-chain fatty acids are important odor contributors. Studies have shown that zinc oxide can effectively reduce odors generated by isovaleric acid, with its mechanism related to the conversion of volatile short-chain fatty acids into less volatile fatty acid salts.[7]
Therefore, in personal care and functional material systems, zinc oxide can utilize its surface interactions and chemical reactivity with acidic volatile compounds to help reduce the volatilization of specific odor molecules, providing functional support for products such as foot care formulations and deodorizing materials.
Conclusion
Zinc oxide is not only a classic inorganic protective material, but also a functional powder with diverse application value.
From physical barrier protection, absorption, and astringent properties in infant care, to microbial environment regulation and auxiliary care in problem skin applications, and further to functionalization in textile and nonwoven materials, zinc oxide demonstrates broad applications beyond UV protection, leveraging its diverse material properties and functional performance across personal care and functional material fields.
For zinc oxide, factors such as particle size, morphology, surface properties, purity, and formulation compatibility all influence its final application performance. Through powder performance optimization and application technology development, UNI-POWDER’s high-quality zinc oxide can better adapt to various formulation systems, providing reliable raw material support for skin care and functional material product development.
References
[1] Abendrot, M., Kalinowska-Lis, U. Zinc-containing compounds for personal care applications. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018, 40(4): 319–327. DOI: 10.1111/ics.12463.
[2] Andersen, P. H., Bucher, A. P., Saeed, I., Lee, P. C., Davis, J. A., Maibach, H. I. Faecal enzymes: in vivo human skin irritation. Contact Dermatitis, 1994, 30(3): 152–158. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1994.tb00696.x.
[3] 魏文菊.被夸大的皮肤科“神药”，如何规范使用？[J].大医生,2025,10(21):153-154.
[4] 徐梓阳,王若琳,郭一凡,等.纳米氧化锌的抗菌作用机制及其影响因素的研究进展[J].吉林大学学报(医学版),2025,51(4):1129-1136.DOI:10.13481/j.1671-587X.20250430.
[5] Joe, A., Park, S. H., Shim, K. D., Kim, D. J., Jhee, K. H., Lee, H. W., Heo, C. H., Kim, H. M., Jang, E. S. Antibacterial mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles under dark conditions. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2017, 45: 430–439. DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2016.10.013.
[6]Vigneshwaran, N., Kumar, S., Kathe, A. A., Varadarajan, P. V., Prasad, V. Functional finishing of cotton fabrics using zinc oxide–soluble starch nanocomposites. Nanotechnology, 2006, 17(20): 5087–5095. DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/17/20/008.
[7] Kanda, F., Yagi, E., Fukuda, M., Nakajima, K., Ohta, T., Nakata, O., Fujiyama, Y. Elucidating body malodour to develop a novel body odour quencher. Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan, 1989, 23(3): 217–224. DOI: 10.5107/sccj.23.217.
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UNI-POWDER, a subsidiary of Cofun Group, is a China-originated, globally oriented, one of the leading providers of high-quality cosmetic powder ingredient solutions. Since its founding in 2010, we have consistently upheld a customer-centric and market-driven approach, focusing on continuous innovation and research. We are committed to delivering one-stop cosmetic solutions from raw materials to formulations, covering UV filters, makeup, skincare, and functional ingredients, and customized powder services.
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Post time: Aug-31-2026