Zinc is like a 24-hour, on-call skin mechanic. It helps repair damaged tissues and heal wounds.
Like vitamins, minerals are essential to overall health and development, helping the body grows and takes care of itself. Some research suggests that zinc might be particularly effective in treating topical irritations and injuries, such as acne, skin sores and minor wounds, by helping cells to regenerate, according to healthy-skincare.com.
Zinc's potential advantages for your skin include the following:
UV Protection
According to Dr. Marilynn Syrett, zinc oxide is one of the safest ingredients for protecting the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays penetrate the skin and damage tissue, speeding up the aging process and drying the skin out. These rays also increase the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreens containing zinc oxide filter out UV rays, keeping them from penetrating the skin and causing cell damage, according to healthy-skincare.com.
Skin Healing
Zinc oxide is also effective for healing the skin. It can be used to heal wounds, reduce the tenderness associated with sunburns and soften chapped skin. Jonathan Moore, DPM, notes that people who are zinc deficient typically experience slower wound-healing times. When zinc oxide is applied to the wound area, it provides the body with the extra zinc it needs to repair skin cells. Zinc oxide helps keep the wound area moist and clean.
Cell Development
Zinc is important as part in diet because it helps with cell development. Our skin is constantly regenerating new skin cells, which makes dietary zinc important for healthy skin.
Rash Treatment
Rash ointments intended to treat heat rash and diaper rash often include zinc oxide. It acts as an astringent that dries out the skin, which helps prevent bacteria from multiplying.
Acne
Using zinc topically and taking it orally has shown some potential in preventing and alleviating the inflammation and scarring associated with acne. Zinc may help nip zits in the bud by reducing the amount of natural oil, or sebum, produced in the skin. It may also help heal damaged skin around acne that does develop.
Mild Astringent
The benefit of zinc as a mild astringent is well noted. An astringent is a chemical substance that shrinks, constricts, or tightens body tissues.
Zinc oxide has this mild astringent property. It acts as a skin-drying agent and can act as a skin anti-inflammatory. Zinc oxide also helps sooth the skin from itching, rashes, and moist skin conditions such as diaper rash.
Dandruff
A benefit of zinc is in the treatment of dandruff. Zinc pyrithione is often found in dandruff shampoos and is effective in helping to relieve this skin problem.
Some preliminary studies have shown that zinc sulfate can be an effective treatment for contact dermatitis. More studies are underway to confirm the actual zinc benefits for this skin care problem.