Micronized zinc oxide is an ultrafine powder used in sunscreens that offers invisible protection. Concerns have been raised about its potential health risks if inhaled, but studies show it does not pose a risk when applied to the skin. Lotions and creams are considered safer than powders or sprays.
Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound used in a wide variety of products and is a common ingredient in sunscreens. Micronized zinc oxide is zinc oxide that has been treated to reduce its average particle size, producing an ultrafine powder. The term micronized can refer to micro-sized particles, meaning they are a few micrometers in diameter (1 micrometer is one millionth of a meter), but it can also refer to much smaller nanoparticles, i.e. particles that are 1-100 nanometers in diameter. (1 nanometer is one billionth of a meter). Various terms such as ultrafine, nanosized and micronized can be used to describe this type of zinc oxide. Scientific studies have shown that both Micronized Zinc Oxide and regular Zinc Oxide offer very effective sun protection, blocking the harmful UVA and UVB rays of sunlight from reaching the skin.
Regular zinc oxide has been used as a sunscreen ingredient for many years and has been preferred by many because it is non-toxic, usually non-irritating, and is an effective sunscreen. However, regular zinc oxide can leave a white film on the skin when applied. Products containing micronized zinc oxide do not leave this film, offering a form of invisible protection to zinc oxide, because the particles are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Both micronized and normal zinc oxide work as physical barriers against sunlight, reflecting it before it reaches the skin.
Concerns have been raised that micronized zinc oxide can enter the body through the skin, especially if it contains nano-sized particles, and that this could cause health problems. Many commonly available sunscreens and sunscreens contain zinc oxide particles 30-200 nanometers in diameter, which means that many of these products contain nanoparticles. Most scientific studies show that while micronized zinc oxide can penetrate the outermost layer of the skin, it does not penetrate living tissue or the bloodstream and does not pose a risk to human health.
Some studies suggest that micronized zinc oxide may be more of a problem if it is inhaled and enters the lungs, rather than if it is applied to the skin. The small size of the micronized particles means that if inhaled they could lodge deep in the lungs and cause potential health problems. Some experts advise that for this reason you should not use powder or spray sunscreens or sunscreens containing ultrafine particles of zinc oxide. Products such as lotions and creams are considered safer because their texture makes inhalation unlikely.
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