Q: Hi Tracy,

I took the lotion potion and cream course and the gave us a list to things to buy, and one of them was ZINC OXIDE but we never used it. What purpose does it have and how do i intergrate it into my creams with the percentage?

Thank you

A: Once you start playing with zinc, you'll fall in love with this versatile, gentle ingredient.

Zinc can be added to a lotion, ointment or cream up to 20% in order to:
~ Thicken
~ Whiten & conceal (such as in foundation make up)
~ Block UVA & UVB rays SPF 15-30 10-20%
~ Soothe and heal skin
~ Add a gentle astringecy
~ Moisturize / rehydrate skin

Simply sprinkle it in while running a handblender.

Zinc is very safe unless inhaled. So be careful not to breathe it in!
NEVER use nano particle zinc!

For more info...

You can read about zinc here: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/249

New Directions has this to say about their zinc:
Zinc Oxide is a white powder with wonderful astringent properties. It physically works to provide 28 times the skin's natural protections against harmful UVA & UVB rays and has a great soothing effect for use in many skin preparations. On top of this, it is an inert ingredient, often used to thicken lotions and creams.
INCI: Zinc Oxide
Mesh Size: Zinc Oxide is non-nano with a mesh size of 325 nm.

Here's my Safe Sun Protection Cream http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/481

Zinc Oxide Sunscreen vs Titanium Oxide Sunscreen http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/451

Q: Do you not find it leaves a metallic thick pastey look on the skin that doesn't seem to absorb well?

A: Rub it in well on the back of one hand and compare to the other hand. There will be a noticeable lightening, and smoothing of features. This is more apparent the darker your skin, and can be an aesthetic barrier to those with dark skins. I am olive skinned and no one has ever noticed that I'm wearing zinc sunscreen. I like to think that cocoa butter in the cream helps. Or maybe it's just smelling like chocolate.:>

As for not absorbing well - well it's not supposed to! If it gets absorbed, then it can't shield you from the sun! And you might get too much zinc in you. Adequate zinc helps you feel happy. Too much of a good thing, isn't.