Zinc Oxide: What the Sources Say and Safety
Zinc oxide on the skin and in the air: a regulated skin protectant and sunscreen ingredient, mixed diaper-rash trials, and the fume and spray inhalation risks.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What is Zinc Oxide good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Skin protectant ointments and creams (regulated over-the-counter use)
Clinically supportedUS FDA rules list zinc oxide as a skin protectant ingredient at 1 to 25 percent. This is a defined use of a labelled product put on the skin, such as barrier ointments.
Supplements: Applies to labelled over-the-counter skin products only; no amounts are advised here.
Mineral sunscreen filter
Clinically supportedFDA lists zinc oxide as an active sunscreen ingredient and advises broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. The EU safety committee judged nano zinc oxide at up to 25 percent as an unlikely risk after skin use, for specified product qualities, but not for sprays.
Supplements: Only finished, labelled sunscreens; see the page on homemade versions.
Diaper rash and barrier creams
Preliminary or mixedA 2026 meta-analysis of six studies found results depended on the product and study design, with high heterogeneity, and reported that zinc oxide paste helped in newborns. Two infant trials used zinc oxide as the comparison: adding breast milk shortened healing time in 42 infants, and a propolis and beeswax cream scored better than zinc oxide cream.
Supplements: Mixed and low-certainty; talk to a pediatric clinician about a rash that does not clear.
Incontinence-related skin irritation in older adults
Preliminary or mixedIn a randomized trial of 60 older adults, a Centella asiatica and aloe vera preparation did better than a zinc oxide and petroleum jelly ointment.
Supplements: Does not show zinc oxide fails or works alone.
Acne and blemish pastes: claim check
Not enough evidenceA 2026 review of metal oxide nanoparticles, including zinc oxide, for acne says they may help as add-ons in mild to moderate acne, and that standard recipes, safety testing and well-powered trials are still needed. We did not read a human trial.
Supplements: Proper evidence not found for home pastes.
Homemade sunscreen with zinc oxide: claim check
Not enough evidenceA 2026 systematic review found social media promotes many unverified homemade sunscreen recipes and little to no protection when recipes were compared with commercial products.
Supplements: Use a labelled sunscreen instead.
Skin absorption of zinc oxide particles
Preliminary or mixedA 2026 review of imaging studies in volunteers reports skin is a strong barrier to nano zinc oxide, though zinc oxide can dissolve to zinc ions that are absorbed, and particles can collect in skin furrows and hair follicles. The EU safety committee found no evidence the particles pass through skin in its sunscreen review.
Supplements: Information only; not a reason to avoid labelled products.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Healthy SkinPreliminary or mixed
Skin protectant and sunscreen uses are regulated; infant rash trials are mixed.
Body systems (3)
- Integumentary SystemPreliminary or mixed
Used on skin as a barrier ointment and sunscreen filter; trial evidence in rashes is mixed.
- Respiratory SystemDocumented risk
Breathing zinc oxide fume causes metal fume fever; nano zinc oxide sprays are not considered safe by the EU committee.
- Skin, Hair & BeautyPreliminary or mixed
Used on skin as a barrier ointment and sunscreen filter; trial evidence in rashes is mixed.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Breathing in zinc oxide fumes and nano sprays. Breathing zinc oxide fume from heated galvanized steel or brass causes metal fume fever, with fever, chills, cough and aches within hours, usually gone in about 24 hours. The EU safety committee says nano zinc oxide in spray products cannot be considered safe because of lung effects.
- Swallowing: poison center facts. Poison Control says a small lick or swallow of zinc oxide cream is not dangerous to a child, and larger amounts can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that usually passes. Call Poison Help (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number if you are worried.
- Pets and zinc oxide creams. VCA says one ingestion of zinc oxide cream typically causes stomach upset in a pet, but repeated ingestion over days to weeks can cause poisoning with anemia. A 2026 review says non-nano zinc oxide sunscreens appear safe for pets only if ingestion is prevented.
- Babies under six months and sunscreen. FDA says sunscreen is not recommended for infants under six months and to ask a doctor; keep them out of strong sun and covered.
Safety first: keep zinc oxide on the skin and out of the air you breathe. Breathing zinc oxide fume from heated galvanized metal causes "metal fume fever", with fever, chills and cough within hours that usually passes in about a day. [4] The EU safety committee said nano zinc oxide in spray products cannot be considered safe because of lung effects. [3] A small lick or swallow of zinc oxide cream is not dangerous to a child, according to Poison Control. [5] If you are worried after anyone swallows it, call Poison Help (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number. This page separates the well-regulated uses (skin protectant creams, finished sunscreens) from home mixing and from claims, and it is about the material on the skin, not zinc the nutrient.
What zinc oxide is
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a fine white powder made from zinc and oxygen. It is not the same thing as the dietary mineral zinc in food and supplements; for that, see Zinc. It is found in barrier ointments, mineral sunscreens, cosmetics and many industrial products. Names you may see: zinc white, nano zinc oxide (very small particles, used in some sunscreens) and non-nano zinc oxide. Products differ a lot: a finished, labelled cream is tested and regulated as a drug or cosmetic, while a loose powder or an industrial grade is not meant for the skin or for eating. We did not find a source we could read that compares these grades, so we make no claim about their purity.
Claims and what the sources found
| Claim or use | What the best source found | Evidence label | Route, product and who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin protectant (barrier ointment) | US FDA rules list zinc oxide as a skin protectant ingredient at 1 to 25 percent. [1] | Established (regulatory use) | Labelled over-the-counter skin products |
| Sunscreen ingredient | FDA lists zinc oxide as an active sunscreen ingredient and advises broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. [2] The EU safety committee judged nano zinc oxide at up to 25 percent as not posing a risk after skin use, for products with set purity and particle qualities. [3] | Established (finished sunscreens) | Labelled sunscreens, not loose powder |
| Diaper rash | A 2026 meta-analysis of six studies found results varied with product and study design and high heterogeneity, and reported zinc oxide paste was effective in newborns. [7] In a 42-infant trial, zinc oxide plus breast milk healed faster than zinc oxide alone. [8] In another trial a propolis and beeswax cream scored better than zinc oxide cream, and zinc oxide's edge over olive oil was not significant. [9] | Mixed | Infants; zinc oxide is often the comparison |
| Skin irritation from incontinence in older adults | In a trial of 60 older adults, a Centella asiatica and aloe vera product did better than a zinc oxide and petroleum jelly ointment. [10] | Mixed | Older adults, nursing care, a combined product |
| Acne or blemish pastes | A 2026 review says zinc oxide and other metal oxide nanoparticles may help as add-ons in mild to moderate acne, and that safety testing and well-powered trials are still needed. [12] We read no human trial. | Insufficient evidence | Nanoparticle formulations, not home pastes |
| Homemade sunscreen with zinc oxide powder | A 2026 systematic review found unverified recipes online and little to no protection from homemade versions compared with commercial products. [13] | No good evidence of benefit | Home recipes |
| "It soaks into the body" | A 2026 imaging review says skin is a strong barrier to nano zinc oxide, though zinc oxide can dissolve into zinc ions that are absorbed. [11] The EU committee found no evidence the particles pass through skin in its sunscreen review. [3] | Insufficient evidence | Volunteers; reviews |
Limits: most of the trial evidence is on infants or older adults in small studies, often comparing creams rather than testing zinc oxide against nothing, and the abstracts we read do not tell us product strengths. One meta-analysis abstract reported a p-value that does not match its confidence interval, so we do not rely on its pooled number. [7] Claims by sellers that zinc oxide "heals" wounds or acne are claims made by sellers; proper evidence for home use was not found in the sources we read.
Safety by group
- Breathing: metal fume fever follows breathing zinc oxide fume from heated zinc-coated metal; onset is within a few hours and it usually clears in about 24 hours, mainly affecting welders and metal workers. [4] The EU committee said nano zinc oxide in sprays cannot be considered safe. [3] FDA says spray sunscreens should never be applied directly to the face. [2]
- Swallowing: a small swallow of zinc oxide cream is not dangerous to a child, and larger amounts may cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that usually passes. [5] Pure powder and large amounts were not described in the sources we read. We do not advise swallowing it. Call Poison Help on 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your local emergency number. See Poisoning: urgent help and Substances not meant to be swallowed.
- Babies and children: FDA says sunscreen is not recommended for infants under six months old and to ask a doctor. [2] Ask a pediatric clinician about a diaper rash that does not clear.
- Pets: a single ingestion of zinc oxide cream typically causes stomach upset in a pet, while repeated ingestion over days to weeks can cause poisoning with anemia. [6] A 2026 review says non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen appears safe for pets only if ingestion is prevented. [14] Call a veterinarian or animal poison line.
- Skin, eyes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney disease, medicines, metal contamination of cosmetic or industrial grades: the sources we read do not describe these; not described is not proof of none.
How it is used and what to look for on a label
- Barrier ointments and pastes: look for a drug facts panel and an active ingredient percentage. [1]
- Mineral sunscreens: choose a labelled broad spectrum product with SPF 15 or higher. [2] Skip spray forms for nano zinc oxide. [3]
- Loose powder: not a tested skin product; avoid raising dust.
- The mineral can appear in a multivitamin, but that is a different topic: see Zinc and Zinc forms compared.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Does zinc oxide treat diaper rash?
It is a common barrier ointment, and a 2026 review reported zinc oxide paste helped in newborns, but trials are small and mixed, and other creams did as well or better in two trials. [7][8][9]
Is zinc oxide sunscreen safe?
FDA lists zinc oxide as an active sunscreen ingredient, and the EU committee judged nano zinc oxide in creams as not posing a risk after skin use, but not in sprays. [2][3]
Can I make my own sunscreen with zinc oxide powder?
A 2026 review found homemade versions gave little to no protection compared with commercial products. [13]
What if a child swallows zinc oxide cream?
Poison Control says a small lick or swallow is not dangerous, and larger amounts may cause an upset stomach. Call Poison Help on 1-800-222-1222 if you are unsure. [5]
Is it safe for babies?
FDA says sunscreen is not recommended for infants under six months old. [2] Ask a pediatric clinician about diaper creams.
References
- U.S. eCFR (FDA rules). 21 CFR 347.10 Skin protectant active ingredients. Current text. Read 2026-10-24.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Current as of 2026-10-16. Read 2026-10-24.
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU). Zinc oxide (nano form): summary of the opinion for the public. Opinion 2012. Read 2026-10-24.
- Ahsan SA, Katner A, Lackovic M, Palermo C. Metal Fume Fever: A Review of the Literature and Cases Reported to the Louisiana Poison Control Center. J La State Med Soc. 2009;161(6):348-351. Read 2026-10-24.
- National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control). Are Diaper Rash Products Dangerous?. No date shown. Read 2026-10-24.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Zinc Poisoning in Pets. Updated 2026-10-09. Read 2026-10-24.
- Alkhamis ZZ, et al. Clinical Effectiveness of Barrier Preparations in the Management of Diaper Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2026;18(1):e102379. PMID 41769510. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Veysizadeh M, et al. Topical Breast Milk plus Zinc Oxide Versus Zinc Oxide Alone for Diaper Rash in Infants Under 1 Year: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Breastfeed Med. 2026. PMID 41204732. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Aksoy B, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of local application of bee products in the care of diaper dermatitis in infants: a randomized controlled trial. J Pediatr Nurs. 2026. PMID 41579432. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Chaisomsee S, et al. Care of incontinence-associated dermatitis in older adults: a randomized controlled trial comparing zinc oxide-petroleum jelly and centella asiatica-aloe vera preparations. Int J Nurs Stud Adv. 2026. PMID 42751070. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Henriques Ribeiro Machado AC, et al. Multiphoton Tomography of Micro- and Nanocosmetics in Human Skin. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2026. PMID 42348512. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Nair A, et al. Metal oxide nanoparticles for acne vulgaris: mechanisms, synthesis, formulation, and translational prospects. RSC Adv. 2026. PMID 42682944. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Kaftan G, et al. The Rise in Homemade Sunscreen Trends and Future Impacts on Skin Cancer Risk: Systematic Review. JMIR Dermatol. 2026. PMID 42398033. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Granados-Soler JL, Story MM, Allavena R. Ultraviolet Light-Induced Skin Cancer and the Safety of Sunscreen Use in Pets. Vet Sci. 2026. PMID 42514615. Abstract read 2026-10-24.