Authority source
Safety basis: FDA
FDA assessment
Zinc oxide
ZnOZinc dioxide
Sunscreen
Zinc oxide is a type of mineral powder that helps protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. It works by creating a physical barrier on the skin's surface that reflects and scatters UV light.
What it is
Zinc oxide is a white, powdery mineral made from zinc and oxygen that helps protect skin from UV radiation.
Found in
sunscreens, moisturizers, lip balms, after-sun lotions
The concern
No significant concerns identified
Legal status
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in sunscreens at concentrations up to 25% by FDA; approved by EU SCCS for use in sunscreens at concentrations up to 25%.
Low Concern
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in sunscreens at concentrations up to 25%.
Evidence & sources
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Article / explainer
Article / explainer
No highly relevant article explainer found yet.
Video explainer
Video explainer
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Community questions
Community questions
Community discussions are not used as safety evidence and no highly relevant discussion is shown for this ingredient.
Related ingredient guides
Compare this ingredient with related ingredients and common alternatives.
Titanium Dioxide
A mineral UV filter commonly compared with zinc oxide.
Oxybenzone
A chemical UV filter often compared with mineral sunscreen filters.
Octinoxate
Another sunscreen filter people compare when checking UV coverage.
Avobenzone
Often compared in sunscreen formulas for UVA coverage context.
Octisalate
Another sunscreen in the reviewed ingredient set.
Octocrylene
Another sunscreen filter commonly compared in the same UV-protection conversations.
Last updated: June 9, 2026