Zinc is a natural mineral created by our bodies and is packed with skin-benefiting properties. Zinc is found in every single cell in your body, and more than 100 different enzymes need it to function. Skin cells are particularly dependent on zinc’s powerful properties – in fact, the top layer of your skin is concentrated with up to six times more of the mineral than is found in the lower layers.
To begin with, zinc it is the main performance ingredient in physical sunscreens. When it comes to sun protection, zinc oxide (a type of zinc compound) is the safest option because of its natural properties and it offers superior broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection – a key factor in full sun protection.
Physical sunscreen is the more skin-friendly option as it contains only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which do not pose a health risk, vs. chemical sunscreen which have chemicals such as PABA, cinnamates, oxybenzone which can react with the sun’s rays to create damaging free radicals, which may actually increase the risk of skin cancer.
Chemical sunscreens have also been linked with hormone disruption. Research has found that they can act like estrogen in the body, throwing natural hormones off balance. In a study of six common sunscreen chemicals, five acted like estrogen, causing an increase in human breast cancer cells.
Our Cover Recover includes zinc oxide as a performance ingredient to provide broad- spectrum sun protection. As a physical sun-protectant, zinc oxide does not cause allergy like many chemical absorbers.
In addition to superior sun protection, zinc is used in other skincare products to rejuvenate, repair, and restore.
In our HylaActive Serum, zinc acts as a potent anti-inflammatory to accelerate repair after skincare treatments to promote clear skin and collagen production to combat signs of aging for younger-looking skin. Zinc is activated first when the skin is damaged. It protects against infection, controls inflammation, and produces new cells, transporting them to close up the broken skin. But even healthy, intact skin relies on zinc for new cell production and the function of cell membranes. Additionally, Zinc is necessary for the formation of “zinc fingers,” a transcription factor chain made of amino acids. The protein within these chains bind onto DNA and control RNA genetic information. Zinc fingers can aid communication and repair of damaged DNA strands for increased wound healing.
Other benefits of zinc include:
• Antioxidant: Zinc is a key part of your skin’s dietary defense squad. The mineral lessens the formation of damaging free radicals and protects skin’s lipids (fats) and fibroblasts—the cells that make collagen, your skin’s support structure—when skin is exposed to UV light, pollution and other skin-agers.
• Clear Skin: Acne develops when a buildup of oil, bacteria and skin cells block pores, causing the skin around the pore to turn red, swollen and tender. Zinc, which boosts immune function, may help control that inflammatory response. What’s more, because zinc regulates cell production and turnover, and can help reduce the amount of natural oil your skin produces, it may prevent pores from clogging in the first place.
To learn more, please contact our offices at 305-552-0550 or via info@dpderm.com.