Under The Lid: Zinc Oxide

I often get the question, “Mineral Treatment, isn’t that just makeup?” and my answer to that is always the same, a resounding “NO!” To illustrate why this innovative product can not only function as a replacement for traditionally formulated makeup but also why it is superior to any other Mineral product on the market I believe it is necessary to examine the formula and review the activity of specific ingredients and how these actives optimize the rest of your Glimpse regimen to support your skin.

Let’s review the Mineral Treatment and with that our first ingredient zinc oxide. Long known for it’s ability to calm and soothe the skin, zinc has been shown to have many therapeutic benefits for your skin such as supporting faster healing, inflammation reduction, increased barrier function repair and broad environmental protection. I would like to explore the activity of zinc and why I added it to the formula and the critical benefits that zinc provides your skin:

ENVIORNMENTAL PROTECTION: Zinc oxide provides broad range sun protection; in fact it has the broadest UV range protection of any single ingredient on the market. Zinc oxide is a physical sun-blocking agent that works primarily by reflecting/scattering ultraviolet light. It’s range of efficacy covers UVB as well as both short (320-340 nm, UVA-2) and long (340-400 nm, UVA-1). It also has been proven to block visible light up to wavelengths 700 nm. Recently there have been multiple studies on the increased protection offered by zinc when combined with anti-oxidants showing very promising results. Let’s compare this with an ingredient that is commonly found in UV protection products as well as MOST mineral products titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide has been used as a sun protection ingredient for many years most recently in many of the Mineral products on the market today. Usually these formulas contain micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide, which has been shown to be a lung irritant (when in powder form) and it has significant photocatalytic activity and may promote formation of free radicals when exposed to sunlight. Additionally, titanium dioxide does not offer the skin calming (anti-irritation) and protection (anti-oxidant) qualities that zinc oxide exhibits.

PROMISING ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY: Topical zinc has been reported to provide antioxidant photo protection for skin. Two antioxidant mechanisms have been proposed for zinc: zinc may replace redox active molecules, such as iron and copper, at critical sites in cell membranes and proteins. On the other hand, zinc may induce the synthesis of proteins that protect against free radicals. Although there are still question as to how it works, topical zinc may provide an important and helpful antioxidant defense for skin.

POTENCY: This is a topic that I do not spend enough time writing about and that is the concentration or percentage of actives contained within the formula. Many formulas that boast the therapeutic or environmental protection qualities of their product due to zinc contain as little as two percent. The Glimpse Mineral Treatment contains over 20% uncoated zinc oxide to provide your skin the maximum benefit from zinc.

I think it is quite clear that zinc is a dynamic ingredient that can benefit the skin in multiple ways. Glimpse Mineral Treatment capitalizes on the therapeutic benefits of zinc oxide in order to optimize your skin’s health.

Anne-Michele Hughes brings valuable insight into current trends in the skin care industry. With 19 years as a Paramedical Master Aesthetician her experience provides the knowledge critical for developing effective products utilizing cutting edge formulation and ingredients. Misha has been working with XanGo on the development of Glimpse from the beginning.

7 Responses to “Under The Lid: Zinc Oxide”

Debbie Harrill says:

June 29, 2010 at 11:59 am

Thank you for sharing this Misha! Being a fisherperson and gardener puts me in the sun a lot. I love the natural looking protection I’m getting with the mineral treatment. No more sticky, stinging, pore clogging goock on my face, and no more raccoon eyes!

Beverly Hollister says:

June 29, 2010 at 9:45 pm

Love the education and insight on the formula!

Sol Elvira says:

June 30, 2010 at 9:40 am

Many Thanks!! now I am learnig why it works! take care.

Celeste says:

June 30, 2010 at 11:22 am

Wow, thank you for this knowledge of the therapeutic benefits of the uncoated zinc in the mineral treatment to optimize our skin’s health. I liked the sunscreen protection is why I used it. But now knowing that it is optimizing my skins health along with the other Glimpse products, I am going to tell others this same info, thank you!