A mineral UV filter and pigment.
What it is
Zinc oxide is a mineral used as a UV filter and as a white pigment (CI 77947). Nano forms must be labelled '[nano]'.
Where it is used
Mineral sunscreens, nappy creams, makeup.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
Functions
- Antimicrobial
- Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
- Bulking
- Non-reactive (chemically inert), solid ingredients that dilute other solids and/or increase the volume of cosmetic products.
- Colorant
- Exclusively or mainly intended to colour the cosmetic product, the body as a whole or certain parts thereof, by absorption or reflection of visible light; (precursors of oxidative hair colorants shall be deemed colorants). All authorised colorants are substances in the positive list of Annex IV to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
- Oral care
- Providing cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.
- Skin protecting
- Helping to avoid harmful effects to the skin from external factors.
- Light stabilizer
- Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light.
- UV absorber
- Protecting the cosmetic product from the effects of UV-light.
- UV filter
- Exclusively or mainly intended to protect the skin and/or hair against certain UV radiation by absorbing, reflecting or scattering UV radiation. All authorised UV filters are substances in the positive list of Annex VI to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
EU regulation
EU · Annex VI, entry 30Zinc oxide
- Maximum concentration
- - 25% - In case of combined use of zinc oxide and zinc oxide (nano), the sum shall not exceed the limit of 25%
- Conditions and warnings
- Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user's lungs by inhalation.
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2016/621
EU · Annex IV, entry 144Zinc oxide
- Conditions and warnings
- Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user's lungs by inhalation.
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2017/1413
EU · Annex VI, entry 30aZinc oxide (nano)
- Maximum concentration
- 25% - In case of combined use of zinc oxide and zinc oxide (nano), the sum shall not exceed the limit of 25%
- Conditions and warnings
- Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user's lungs by inhalation. Only nanomaterials having the following characteristics are allowed: — purity ≥ 96 %, with wurtzite crystalline structure and physical appearance as clusters that are rod-like, star-like and/or isometric shapes, with impurities consisting only of carbon dioxide and water, whilst any other impurities are less than 1 % in total, — median diameter of the particle number size distribution D50 (50 % of the number below this diameter) > 30 nm and D1 (1 % below this size) > 20 nm, — water solubility < 50 mg/L —uncoated, or coated with triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone, dimethoxydiphenylsilanetriethoxycaprylylsilane cross- polymer, or octyl triethoxy silane.
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2016/621
Products with this ingredient (283)
- Revolution Superdewy SPF30 Skin Tint · Revolution
- Podkład Facefitniy All Day Flawless 3w1 · Max Factor
- FACEFINITY LASTING BLUR CONCEALER · Max Factor
- Fondotinta Miracle Second Skin · Max Factor
- Fondotinta Facefinity All Day Flawless 3 In 1 Vegan · Max Factor
- FONDOTINTA FACEFINITY COMPACT · Max Factor
- Miracle Second Skin Foundation · Max Factor
- Facefinity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Vegan Foundation · Max Factor
- Blur Longwear Powder Foundation SPF15 · Lumene
- Matte Oil-control Foundation SPF20 · Lumene
- The Wake Up the Glow Luminous Foundation – Warm · IsaDora
- The Contour Stick – Warm Mocha · IsaDora