Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide (non-nano)
ALSO — MINERAL FILTER
The single highest-return active in the formulary. Every other product here is repairing what this one prevents.
WHERE WE SIT IN THE PUBLISHED RANGE10% ——— 25%
22%
We compound toward the middle of the published range, not the top of it. Past the point where the dose–response curve flattens, the extra percent buys irritation and nothing else.
IDENTITY & RATINGSA
INCIZinc Oxide (non-nano)
FAMILYUV filter
MOL. WEIGHT81.38 g/mol
HOUSE CONC.22% w/w
pH WINDOW6 – 8
ACTS ATSTRATUM CORNEUM
DEPTHSURFACE
ONSETIMMEDIATE
STABILITYPHOTOSTABLE
TRIALS ON FILE2
IRRITATION INDEX0 / 10
▸ STRATUM CORNEUMEPIDERMISDERMIS
The shaded band is the depth this molecule is understood to reach. Anything below it is out of scope, whatever the label says.
01
Mechanism
EVIDENCE GRADE A
Sits on the surface and reflects, scatters and absorbs across UVB and the full UVA range including UVA1 — the band responsible for most dermal matrix degradation.
HOUSE NOTES
- Non-nano, so it leaves a cast. We tint it rather than shrink the particle. That is a deliberate trade.
- 2 mg/cm² is the tested dose. Roughly a third of a teaspoon for a face and neck. Almost nobody applies this much.
02
Layering
CONFLICTS & PAIRINGS
DO NOT LAYER
No known conflicts. This one goes next to anything in the formulary, in any order, on any night.
03
Compounded into
1 FORMULAS