In the last century zinc oxide has been used as a sunscreen. It is a coloured natural mineral that is mined at a quarry and then processed into a fluffy white powder. It's commonly used as a whitening ingredient in cosmetics, but it's best known for its ability to block practically the full UVA and UVB spectrum by reflecting and scattering light.
Zinc oxide is commonly found in daily skincare products like moisturizers and makeup, where it is combined with other organic sunscreen chemicals. When it comes to sun protection, zinc oxide is a popular choice because it is both effective and non-irritating.
