{"id":174325,"date":"2022-04-07T07:06:43","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T14:06:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/?p=174325"},"modified":"2022-04-07T07:06:43","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T14:06:43","slug":"4-zinc-benefits-skin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/4-zinc-benefits-skin\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Zinc Benefits for Skin"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sea of skincare is a tricky one to navigate \u2014 each time you think you\u2019ve sailed through a rough patch with your skin, a new problem bubbles up \u2014 whether it\u2019s chapped skin or pesky breakouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the waters may be rough, zinc is an effective first mate as you cross an expanse of blemishes, dark spots, and scars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what does zinc do for skin, exactly? This helpful guide will act as your compass to steer you through zinc\u2019s many benefits that help your skin cascade with shine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>#1 Zinc May Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of your skin\u2019s biggest problems are caused by or related to inflammation \u2014 your body\u2019s response to invaders, like bacteria and viruses, that can harm your health.<sup>1<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your immune system responds to these invaders by sending out white blood cells to attack the intruder and heal any resulting damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some inflammation is good \u2014 it means your body can respond to and protect against infection. However, too much inflammation can lead to a host of health problems, including skin issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc can help alleviate some of the redness, swelling, and discoloration that appears in your skin because of inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some skin issues related to inflammation that zinc may help relieve include:<sup>2<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Acne<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 If you\u2019ve suffered from the painful blemishes caused by acne, you know that they\u2019re difficult to get rid of. Furthermore, acne can leave behind lasting scars. Zinc has been shown to help manage the swelling and redness caused by acne flare-ups. And it may also help reduce acne scars.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eczema<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Zinc may also help ease some of the symptoms of eczema, helping to control some of the uncomfortable itching.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rosacea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Rosacea is a common condition that makes your face appear visibly flushed. Zinc\u2019s ability to help even skin tone may help manage the redness that accompanies a rosacea flare-up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dermatitis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 One of the earliest signs of a zinc deficiency is often painful, itchy skin. The appearance of dermatitis might be a sign that you\u2019re lacking zinc in your diet. Adding more zinc to your routine can help control inflammatory skin disorders and provide relief from itching.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>#2 Zinc May Help Wounds Heal<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both topically applied <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">orally consumed zinc may help wounds heal more quickly. Zinc plays an important role in the production of key components of the body\u2019s healing process, and it may help reduce the appearance of scars afterward.<sup>3<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This happens for two reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Collagen production<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Zinc helps stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is an essential protein found in your skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage. It\u2019s involved in the repair and maintenance of these tissues. When your body suffers from an injury, collagen is necessary in healing and repair processes. Even older scars can benefit from the application of zinc.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cell reproduction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Zinc also plays a critical role in cell reproduction. New cells are a must when your body needs to repair existing damage. Applying a zinc-rich ointment to a cut may increase the rate at which the wound shrinks and heals.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>#3 Zinc Has a Strong Relationship to Anti-Aging<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc\u2019s healing properties may also make it a powerful soldier in the battle against the signs of aging. Aging shows itself in many different ways on your skin, including:<sup>4<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrinkles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fine lines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age spots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dryness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, using zinc can help with these issues in two key ways:<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Zinc may help reduce the appearance of age-related spots<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Zinc plays a role in suppressing the overproduction of pigment cells that cause age spots. It can also help reduce the appearance of existing age spots and give your skin a more even tone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Zinc might help prevent signs of aging<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 The stimulation of collagen production that zinc encourages may help give your skin a more youthful glow. Collagen firms and plumps your skin, which may help smooth out those wrinkles and fine lines.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>#4 Zinc Provides Strong Sun Protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shielding your skin from the harmful effects of the sun mitigates signs of aging <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helps protect your skin against damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc sunscreens have been around for decades and are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/innovative-sunscreens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">innovative sunscreens<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Zinc is found in many sunscreen products and works to block the sun\u2019s rays from reaching your skin. These sunscreens are often referred to as physical sunscreens because they don\u2019t absorb into the skin.<sup>5<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Instead, zinc sunscreens stay on top of the skin, creating a physical barrier between the damaging rays and your skin, which can help protect you from certain skin cancers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide also helps protect your skin from visible signs of aging. Along with harmful skin cancers, the sun\u2019s rays can also exacerbate the appearance of aging skin. Sun exposure can cause:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrinkling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dark spots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redness and uneven skin tone<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UVA and UVB rays in the sun aren\u2019t your friends in any situation. That summer tan that you think is healthy is actually a sign of significant skin damage. Applying a strong sunscreen every day is one of the best things you can do to protect against those harmful UV rays for your skin\u2019s health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How Should You Use Zinc?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc is an essential mineral in critical body functions, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immune system regulation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protein synthesis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cellular growth and repair<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proper ability to smell and taste\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, you should consume a sufficient amount of zinc in your diet for optimal health. You can also reap some of the skin-boosting benefits of zinc when it\u2019s applied topically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Zinc in Your Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important way to get zinc is through your diet. The National Institutes of Health recommends that adults consume between 8 to 11 mg of zinc per day.<sup>6<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sources of dietary zinc include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oysters<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crab<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lobster<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poultry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red meat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortified cereal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nuts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whole grains<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some dairy products<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people, especially vegetarians, vegans, and those with gastrointestinal diseases, may struggle to consume sufficient amounts of dietary zinc. As such, it\u2019s essential for those not receiving enough zinc in their diet to take a dietary zinc supplement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Zinc in Supplements<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you cannot get enough zinc through your diet, you may need to take a supplement. Oral zinc supplements are typically sold as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capsules<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multi-vitamins<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Powders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many skin conditions or concerns can be related to your gut and immune function. Increasing your zinc intake through food or an oral zinc supplement can also promote healthy skin by taking care of your body within. If you think you\u2019re coming up short in dietary zinc, you may want to speak with your doctor about the best zinc supplementation for your health needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Zinc in Skin Care Products<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, zinc is often found in other skincare products besides zinc oxide sunscreen, and is one of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/key-beauty-ingredients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">key beauty ingredients<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to include. Both topical and dietary zinc can be beneficial for skin health. Topical zinc-rich products can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lotions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creams<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Powders<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ointments<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best zinc products to use for your skin depend on what you want to use them for. Ointments and creams are often used to assist with wound healing, and sunscreen lotions are ideal for sun protection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is Zinc, Exactly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In its natural form, zinc is a metal found deep within the earth\u2019s surface. There are two different forms of zinc found in skincare products: zinc oxide and non-nano zinc oxide.<sup>7<\/sup><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The forms differ in the size of zinc particles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-nano zinc oxide has larger zinc particles and is typically used in sun protection products. This is why you sometimes get the white residue that\u2019s left behind when you use zinc-based sunscreen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc oxide contains smaller particles that blend more readily into the skin when applied topically. Powdery zinc oxide is the type most often used in makeup, lotions, creams, and other skincare products.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Are There Any Risks Associated with Zinc?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you get too much zinc in your diet, you can experience some health issues. For adults, more than 40 mg of zinc per day can cause:<sup>6<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stomach cramps<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An overabundance of dietary zinc may also cause your immune system to weaken and your levels of \u201cgood\u201d cholesterol to drop.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc can also interact with certain medications. As such, you should always speak with your doctor about any medications you\u2019re taking before adding zinc to your routine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Boost Your Skincare Routine with FabFitFun<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many zinc benefits for skin \u2014 this mineral can help heal, protect, and enhance your skin\u2019s appearance. And you can add it to your skincare routine in a variety of ways \u2014 including through FabFitFun\u2019s subscription boxes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every season, you\u2019ll be sent a collection of beauty and lifestyle products to your door. Whether you&#8217;re in need of acne treatment, hair styling creams, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/serums-to-minimize-pores\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serums to minimize pores<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;ll be introduced to new products and brands. When you become a member, you\u2019ll also have access to exclusive sales, beauty advice, and more. Infuse your life with beauty by joining <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FabFitFun<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Sources:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PubMed. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is Inflammation? <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279298\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279298\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PubMed. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc Therapy in Dermatology. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4120804\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4120804\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PubMed. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies on Zinc in Wound Healing. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/2275309\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/2275309\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Institute on Aging. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin Care and Aging. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/skin-care-and-aging#:~:text=Your%20skin%20changes%20with%20age,can%20take%20longer%20to%20heal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/skin-care-and-aging<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental Working Group. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nanoparticles in Sunscreen. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/sunscreen\/report\/nanoparticles-in-sunscreen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/sunscreen\/report\/nanoparticles-in-sunscreen\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NIH. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Zinc-Consumer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Zinc-Consumer\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chemical Safety Facts. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zinc Oxide. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org\/zinc-oxide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org\/zinc-oxide\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":"The sea of skincare is a tricky one to navigate \u2014 each time you think ...","author":7532304,"featured_media":174326,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,275],"tags":[],"thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/31074138\/4-Zinc-Benefits-for-Skin.jpg","thumbnail_url_middle_card":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/31074138\/4-Zinc-Benefits-for-Skin-386x200.jpg","formated_date":"April 7, 2022","category_name":"Beauty","category_icon":"https:\/\/d3vodd1ws13xud.cloudfront.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/10113828\/beauty-1.svg","author_name":"The FabFitFun Team","trending":false,"sponsored":false,"random_color":"#294daa","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174325"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7532304"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=174325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174325\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/174326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=174325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=174325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=174325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}