What Is Oxozinc?

Learn about the antimicrobial, bulking, colorant, light stabilizer, oral care, skin-protecting, UV absorber, and UV filter characteristics of Oxozinc and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Oxozinc? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Oxozinc?

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What is the purpose of Oxozinc in personal care products? It is used for its antimicrobial, bulking, colorant, light stabilizer, oral care, skin-protecting, UV absorber, and UV filter characteristics. Oxozinc prevents bacterial growth, increases volume or weight, provide color or tint, shields ingredients from damage caused by light exposure, improve oral hygiene and health, protects your skin, protects products from UV light damage, and helps protect skin from UV radiation.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Oxozinc, ZnO, Zinc Oxide, Zinc oxide (ZnO), and Ci 77947.

What Are Antimicrobial Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has antimicrobial characteristics.

Antimicrobial ingredients are commonly used in cosmetic products like creams, lotions, and makeup to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These ingredients help preserve the quality and extend product shelf life by preventing contamination.

Cosmetic products are produced with various ingredients that can serve as food for microorganisms, making it a suitable environment for them to grow and multiply. This can lead to the formation of unpleasant odors, changes in color, and even product spoilage. Antimicrobial ingredients are added to prevent such occurrences.

These ingredients are also added to disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and other cleaning solutions to kill bacteria and viruses that may be present on surfaces. These ingredients are essential in settings like hospitals and schools, where there is a high risk of infection and transmission.

Types of Antimicrobial Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of antimicrobial ingredients in cosmetics:

  • Preservatives: These are added to cosmetics to prevent microbial growth and spoilage. They work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.

  • Surfactants: These help to break down the surface tension of liquids and can have antimicrobial properties. They are often used in cleansing products to help remove dirt and oil from the skin.

  • Essential oils: These concentrated plant extracts can have antimicrobial properties. They are often used in natural and organic cosmetics as a natural preservative and fragrance.

  • Antimicrobial agents: These specifically target and kill microorganisms. They are often added to products such as deodorants, antiperspirants, and hand sanitizers to help prevent the growth of bacteria and other microbes.

  • Natural extracts: Many natural extracts, such as tea tree oil and neem oil, have been shown to have antimicrobial properties. They are often used in natural and organic cosmetics as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents.

What Are Bulking Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has bulking characteristics.

Bulking ingredients are substances used in products to increase their volume or weight. They are usually added to products like lotions, creams, and shampoos to make them thicker and more substantial.

Bulking ingredients can also help to stabilize the product and prevent it from separating. They may be natural, like plant-based gums, or synthetic, like polyethylene glycols (PEGs) or microcrystalline cellulose.

Bulking ingredients can sometimes dilute active ingredients, making them easier to apply to the skin. It can be instrumental in skincare products like serums or spot treatments, where high concentrations of active ingredients can be too strong for the skin.

Bulking Ingredients in Other Products

Bulking agents are also used in other products besides cosmetics. In the food industry, bulking agents increase the volume of products like bread, cakes, and sauces. They often substitute for high-calorie ingredients like sugar or fat, lowering the products' calories while maintaining their texture and taste.

In the pharmaceutical industry, bulking agents produce tablets and capsules. They help increase the final product's volume and make it easier to handle during the manufacturing process. Bulking agents can also adjust the release rate of active ingredients in the body, providing a sustained or controlled release effect.

Types of Bulking Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of bulking ingredients in cosmetics:

  • Powders: Cosmetic powders such as talc, mica, and silica are often used as bulking agents to add volume to a product.

  • Polymers: Polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene are often used as bulking agents because of their ability to absorb water and swell in size.

  • Fatty acids: Fatty acids such as stearic and palmitic acids are used as bulking agents in cosmetic formulations to add texture and viscosity.

  • Glycerin: Glycerin can act as a bulking agent by adding volume and texture to cosmetic products.

  • Waxes: Waxes such as beeswax, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax are used as bulking agents in cosmetics to add thickness and texture.

  • Emollients: Emollients such as mineral oil, petrolatum, and lanolin can also act as bulking agents by adding volume and texture to a product.

What Are Colorant Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has colorant characteristics.

Colorant ingredients are used in cosmetic products to give them a specific color or tint. They can be derived from natural sources such as plants or synthetic sources and come in various forms such as powders, liquids, and pastes. These ingredients are added to change the natural color of the product to a desired shade.

Colorants can be added to various other products, including food. In food products, colorants enhance their appearance and make foods look more appealing. For example, a bright red colorant may be added to strawberry-flavored yogurt to make it look like fresh strawberries.

What Are Light Stabilizer Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has light stabilizer characteristics.

Light stabilizer ingredients are commonly added to cosmetic products to protect them from light's damaging effects. These ingredients work by preventing light from breaking down the active ingredients in the cosmetic product, which can lead to the ingredients becoming less effective or even causing harm to the skin.

When a cosmetic product is exposed to light, the energy from light can cause chemical reactions to occur within the product. These reactions can break down the active ingredients, causing them to become less effective. In addition, these reactions can create new compounds that may harm the skin. Light stabilizer ingredients prevent these reactions from occurring by absorbing the energy from the light and dissipating it as heat. This process protects the active ingredients in the product and prevents the formation of harmful compounds.

Light stabilizer ingredients are essential in skincare products that contain active ingredients such as retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids. These ingredients are known to be particularly sensitive to light, and their effectiveness can be significantly reduced if they are not protected.

In addition to protecting the active ingredients in the product, light stabilizer ingredients can also help maintain the product's appearance and texture. Light exposure can cause cosmetic products to change color, become cloudy, or separate. Light stabilizer ingredients prevent these changes from occurring, ensuring that the product remains stable and effective.

What Are Oral Care Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has oral care characteristics.

Oral care ingredients in cosmetic products serve different purposes in the mouth. Firstly, they provide cleansing effects by removing plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth and gum lines. These ingredients include abrasives such as silica, calcium carbonate, or baking soda, which act as gentle scrubs to remove surface debris.

Oral care ingredients can also help deodorize the mouth by fighting bad breath caused by bacteria. Antibacterial agents such as cetylpyridinium chloride can control bacterial growth in the mouth, reducing bad odor and creating a refreshing sensation. Additionally, protecting ingredients like fluoride can help protect against cavities by strengthening the tooth enamel, which can help prevent tooth decay.

What Are Skin-Protecting Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has skin-protecting characteristics.

Skin-protecting ingredients are typically added to cosmetic products to help protect your skin from various environmental elements that can cause damage. When your skin is exposed to these elements, it can lead to things like premature aging, dark spots, and even skin cancer. That's why protecting your skin as much as possible is essential. Skin-protecting ingredients can be a great addition to your skincare routine. They can help prevent damage to your skin and keep it healthy and youthful for years to come.

When purchasing a cosmetic product with skin-protecting ingredients, it's good to pay attention to the type of protection it offers. For example, if you're looking for a product for sun protection, you'll want to confirm it contains SPF. If you're looking for a product to also help prevent premature aging, look for one that contains antioxidants.

Types of Skin-Protecting Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of skin-protecting ingredients:

  • Sunscreen agents: Sunscreens are designed to protect the skin from harmful UV rays from the sun. Some sunscreen products contain avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and homosalate.

  • Emollients: Emollients help moisturize and soften the skin while providing a protective barrier. Examples of common emollients include glycerin, petrolatum, and dimethicone.

  • Humectants: Humectants help attract and retain skin moisture. Common humectants used in cosmetics include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and urea.

  • Ceramides: Ceramides help to strengthen the skin's barrier function, which can help to protect the skin. Common synthetic ceramides used in cosmetics include ceramide 3 and ceramide 6-II.

  • Antioxidants: Antioxidants can help protect the skin by neutralizing harmful molecules that can cause oxidative damage. This damage can lead to premature aging, dryness, wrinkles, and other skin issues.

  • Anti-inflammatory agents: These ingredients help reduce inflammation and irritation in the skin, which can help improve the skin's appearance and overall health.

What Are UV Absorber Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has UV absorber characteristics.

UV absorber ingredients are commonly found in cosmetics such as sunscreens, moisturizers, and makeup. Their primary function is to protect the product from the damaging effects of UV light. When exposed to UV light, cosmetic products can degrade and become less effective over time, causing color, texture, and scent changes.

UV absorbers work by absorbing the UV radiation from the sun and converting it into less harmful energy, such as heat. This prevents UV light from penetrating the cosmetic product, which helps to maintain its stability and prolong its shelf life. Additionally, UV absorbers can help protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV light, such as sunburn and skin damage.

What Are UV Filter Ingredients?

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Oxozinc has UV filter characteristics.

UV filter ingredients are commonly used in products to protect the skin and hair from harmful UV radiation from the sun. These ingredients work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the UV radiation, preventing it from penetrating the skin or hair.

UV radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Therefore, cosmetic products with UV filter ingredients can help to protect against these harmful effects by creating a barrier between the skin and the UV rays.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.