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Ingredient · INCI reference

Zinc Oxide

a.k.a. Zinc Oxide

CAS 1314-13-2

Zinc Oxide is an inorganic mineral filter and the only single UV filter here that covers UVB through UVA1 on its own. It is approved up to 25% in the US, EU, and Korea, and in Japan as a quasi-drug with no numeric cap in this data. It is photostable, EWG rates it 2, and it appears in 537 catalog products.

Mineral Physical filters — reflect & scatter UV. Gen · mineral inorganic
01 Spectrum coverage UVA1 · UVA2 · UVB
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
02 Regional approval · max %
JP ✓ — Japan: Approved KR ✓ 25% South Korea: Approved · max 25% EU ✓ 25% Europe: Approved · max 25% US ✓ 25% United States: Approved · max 25%
03 Safety profile
EWG score
2
Reef-toxic
No
Endocrine disruptor
No
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

Is Zinc Oxide a true broad-spectrum filter?

Yes. Among the filters here it is the one mineral that absorbs across UVB, UVA2, and UVA1 on its own, which makes it valuable for long-UVA protection in mineral-only formulas.

Is Zinc Oxide approved worldwide?

Yes. It is approved as a sunscreen filter in the US, EU, and Korea up to 25%, and in Japan as a quasi-drug ingredient. It is one of the most globally accepted UV filters.

Why do Zinc Oxide sunscreens sometimes look white?

Zinc Oxide particles are white, so the visible cast depends on particle size, coating, and how the formula is built. Smaller particle grades and tinted versions help reduce whitening.

Is Zinc Oxide a mineral or chemical filter?

It is a mineral (inorganic) filter. It works mainly by absorbing UV with some reflection and scattering, and shares this category with Titanium Dioxide.

Products in catalogue

Containing Zinc Oxide