GOOD TO KNOW
What Is Zinc Oxide?
Zinc oxide may feel like a modern skincare ingredient, but its story goes back thousands of years.
Zinc-containing preparations were used historically in medicinal ointments and skin preparations, long before scientists understood the chemistry behind them. Today, zinc oxide is a purified mineral compound made from zinc and oxygen and has become one of the most recognisable ingredients in protective skin products — particularly nappy creams and barrier pastes.
So why has it remained such a staple?
Because zinc oxide is particularly good at sitting on the skin and protecting it.
Unlike ingredients designed primarily to penetrate the skin, zinc oxide forms a physical layer on its surface. In a barrier product, this helps shield the skin from moisture, friction and external irritants — exactly the environment delicate skin needs protection from during prolonged contact with a wet or soiled nappy.
Zinc oxide is also valued for its skin-soothing properties, which is why it is commonly found in products designed for sensitive, irritated or vulnerable skin.
At Zalft, we particularly like zinc oxide when it is paired with ingredients that complement that protective role. Lanolin helps soften and condition the skin while supporting its natural moisture barrier, while bisabolol provides additional soothing care.
Together, they create a simple philosophy:
Protect the skin. Support the barrier. Give it the environment it needs to recover.
That is why zinc oxide sits at the heart of our Zalft Baby Barrier Paste and Baby Bum Balm Stick.