Zinc ointment has found wide application both in medicine and in cosmetology. Zinc has a positive effect on a person's appearance. Zinc ointment for the face can prevent the appearance of unwanted wrinkles, as well as help cope with various skin pathologies.
Regular use of zinc anti-wrinkle ointment helps to quickly cure acne and get rid of blemishes on the face.
Composition and properties
The simplest and cheapest ointment contains only zinc dioxide and cosmetic petroleum jelly.
But recently, more and more often you can find face cream with zinc, to which other useful components have been added. We'll talk a little more about creams later. And now let’s talk about why zinc has such a beneficial effect on the skin that it is often used even in professional cosmetology. As a cosmetologist, I often advise clients with problem skin to buy zinc ointment. Zinc dioxide has the following beneficial properties:
- Anti-inflammatory. If you apply it to a pimple at night, by the morning the redness will go away and it will dry out well.
- Sebostatic. It reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands and thus prevents severe expansion and clogging of pores.
- Wound healing. After using zinc ointment, the risk of scarring and acne scars tends to almost zero.
- Moisturizing. Zinc ointment creates an occlusive effect and prevents water from evaporating from the surface of the epidermis, promoting its natural hydration.
- Whitening. With regular use, it does a good job of removing pigment spots that are not too deep.
- Protective. Zinc dioxide is a natural filter that serves as a physical barrier to ultraviolet radiation.
- The ointment is inert. This means that it combines well with other medications and cosmetics and does not provoke allergic reactions.
As you can see, for problem skin such a product can really do a good job. But recipes for using zinc ointment for wrinkles are increasingly appearing on the Internet. Not all of them are logical or useful. Therefore, you should not follow them thoughtlessly.
Reviews
Tatyana: To be honest, I have never seen a more effective drug for blackheads on the face. It’s just a miracle, in two weeks, doing three procedures a week, I completely got rid of acne. The product is very good - I recommend it to everyone.
Marina: A cosmetologist advised me to use zinc ointment because I suffer from a constantly shiny and oily face. I apply a mask a couple of times a week and everything is as it should be – pleasant matte and very smooth skin is guaranteed.
Albina: I would never have thought that such a simple remedy as zinc ointment could help get rid of wrinkles. After I turned 30, I began to have quite a lot of wrinkles on my face, but when I started using this ointment, things went much better.
Raisa: I’ve been making a mask out of clay and cream for quite some time now. I can say that it dries the skin well, so there are no pimples or clogged pores left. It’s a good remedy, simple and effective, and if you show your imagination and supplement it with something nutritious, such as vitamins, then eternal beauty is not a fairy tale.
Indications
According to the instructions, zinc ointment is a product for local external use. Effective in the treatment of dermatitis (including diaper dermatitis), eczema, burns, diaper rash and bedsores. That is, it is prescribed as an excellent anti-inflammatory agent.
When applied regularly to wet wounds and ulcers, it dries them out perfectly and reduces the release of exudate. Well softens the skin, relieves swelling and irritation. Please note that not a word has been written about smoothing wrinkles and other signs of rejuvenation. So official medicine does not attribute such properties to zinc ointment.
Contraindications
The medicine must be used according to the instructions. This product should not be used if you have allergies or individual intolerances. Dermatologists and cosmetologists recommend performing a test before using the drug for the first time. To do this, apply the ointment to the inside of the wrist and wait for a reaction for an hour. If during this time no unpleasant sensations (hyperemia, burning, itching, etc.) have arisen, then the ointment can be used.
In general, zinc-containing ointments are well tolerated by the human body. The instructions indicate that the occurrence of side effects is possible only with prolonged, uncontrolled use.
Important nuances
In principle, zinc ointment is harmless. But if used incorrectly, it can irritate the skin, dry it out and cause acne.
Here are some things to consider when working with this drug:
- use it pointwise;
- number of applications – no more than 5-6 times a day;
- zinc ointment is not applied in its pure form to the entire face;
- the product is poorly washed off with water, it is better to first remove it with a napkin;
- I don't recommend using it around the eyes and lips;
- Do not apply decorative cosmetics over zinc ointment;
- Do not keep the ointment on a large surface of the skin for a long time.
The effect of treatment will be stronger if you simultaneously increase the zinc content in the diet. Try to have the following on your table as often as possible: peanuts, beans, beef, seeds, hard cheese.
The absorption of this useful microelement is hindered by copper, which is present in large quantities in seafood, liver, grains, pistachios, pasta, and peas. It is better to limit these products for a while.
Methods of application
So, what does it help with and how is zinc ointment used in cosmetology? There are several simple and accessible recipes for its use. Choosing yours will most likely have to be done by trial and error. But since negative consequences and side effects from the use of zinc ointment are extremely rare, there is nothing to worry about.
Spot
In this case, the drug is used in its pure form and helps to quickly get rid of single pimples, accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks, and reduce inflamed acne. First you need to remove your makeup, wash your face thoroughly and blot off excess moisture from your skin. Then we take a regular cotton swab and apply a small amount of zinc ointment one by one to all the rashes. How many times a day to do this depends on the condition of the skin.
To combat acne more effectively, I recommend that you first go over it with another stick dipped in essential oil. Anything with pronounced antibacterial and antiseptic properties will do: eucalyptus, fir, cinnamon, clove, tea tree, ylang-ylang, rose, lavender, etc. After 15-20 minutes, carefully wipe off the remaining ointment with a cotton pad. Don't wash your face!
Masks
For very problematic skin with multiple rashes and blackheads, masks are better suited. They can be applied to the entire face, and not just to certain areas. In addition, zinc ointment is not the only active element, but works as part of the complex. Here are some effective and healthy recipes.
With clay
Cosmetic clay, in addition to the properties listed above, similar to zinc, also has excellent adsorbing ability and collects excess fat well. This mask is ideal for oily seborrhea, severely enlarged pores and uneven skin texture.
A tablespoon of green or white clay is diluted with still mineral water to a thick sour cream and a teaspoon of zinc ointment is added to the composition. If desired, you can add 5-6 drops of the essential oils listed above.
Distribute the composition evenly over clean, dry skin and lie quietly for 15-20 minutes. At the same time, a noticeable lifting effect appears as an additional bonus. Before washing off, cover your face with a damp cloth for a couple of minutes. And then they carefully wash most of the mask with it. Residues can be washed off with water.
With licorice
A mask with licorice root powder or its extract helps to treat problematic skin and at the same time get rid of pigmentation, including age-related ones. For oily and problem skin, the second option is preferable, since a powerful antiseptic such as ethyl alcohol is added. For thin and sensitive skin, it is better to choose powder. It is sold in pharmacies or you can make it yourself by grinding a piece of dried root in a coffee grinder.
Mix a teaspoon of zinc ointment with half a teaspoon of powder or the same amount of extract until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. Distribute the composition evenly over the face. It is very important that it does not get into the eyes and mucous membranes. If this happens, rinse immediately with water!
Leave for 15 to 30 minutes and wash off with a small amount of gel. Be sure to apply moisturizer.
With cream
For those who cannot afford high-quality anti-aging cosmetics, a technique such as enriching anti-wrinkle cream with zinc ointment is suitable. They are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the entire face, as well as the décolleté and neck. Due to the presence of Vaseline in the ointment, an occlusion effect is created, the skin is well moisturized and softened. This leads to the smoothing of shallow and small wrinkles.
But remember that this product is not suitable for very dry and sagging skin. It will only make the situation worse. It should also not be left overnight. It forms a film that prevents the skin from breathing and releasing toxins.
It is better to apply such a mixture as a mask a couple of hours before bedtime and after 30-40 minutes wash it off with running water without soap.
With lemon juice
Helps even out complexion tone and cope with shallow pigmentation. Do not use on damaged, inflamed, very thin, dry and sensitive skin! It is also not recommended during pregnancy - if the face is not carefully protected from ultraviolet radiation, it can lead to the appearance of new age spots.
Mix zinc ointment with the same amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice and distribute evenly over the skin. When the first layer dries a little, apply a second one to the pigmented areas, and, if desired, a third one. Leave for up to 15 minutes (no more!) and rinse well with warm water without soap. Be sure to apply a soothing cream. Before going out into the sun, use a sunscreen with UV 30 or higher.
Side effects
The only contraindication to zinc ointment is its individual intolerance. In its pure form, it can be used even during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The product is hypoallergenic and combines well with other cosmetics.
Has a number of analogues. So, for acne and inflamed acne, cosmetologists and dermatologists often recommend Lassara paste, which is a zinc-based ointment with the addition of salicylic acid.
An overdose of these drugs is impossible. But if they are used too frequently and for a long time, the following side effects occur:
- severe drying of the skin;
- itching, burning and irritation;
- small reddish rashes.
When you stop using the drug, they disappear enough without any additional effort.
When it comes into contact with mucous membranes, zinc ointment is absorbed quite quickly and in rare cases can provoke symptoms of poisoning: dizziness, swelling, vomiting, headaches and joint pain, and general weakness. In this case, you need to drink a large amount of water and take Enterosgel or activated carbon.
Zinc ointment for eyelids
The skin of the eyelids is extremely thin and sensitive. Accordingly, applying zinc ointment to the area under the eyes is strictly prohibited if you do not want to provoke peeling and severe swelling. If the drug gets on the mucous membrane of the eye, conjunctivitis develops.
The application of zinc ointment under the eyes by cosmetologists is strongly discouraged
The maximum that cosmetologists allow is to apply a minimum amount of ointment to the outer corners of the eyes, where the very first expression lines form. After 5–7 minutes it must be erased. The product is used every 3-5 days, the course lasts no more than a month. It is advisable not to use pure ointment, but to apply a mixture of it with regular baby cream or natural butter in a 1:2 ratio.
Summing up
According to reviews from most patients, when used correctly, zinc ointment works no worse than expensive acne medications. But its effectiveness against wrinkles is very doubtful. Even some professional creams contain dioxide in small quantities. But in high concentrations with constant use, it will irritate and dry out the skin.
In order for the product to bring benefit and not harm, it is better to smear it only on pimples or use it as part of masks suggested by me or others.
Remember that due to the Vaseline film that forms on the surface of the skin, no useful components can penetrate into it. Therefore, it is completely pointless to add vitamins, herbal extracts and other familiar ingredients to masks with zinc. Their main purpose is to relieve inflammation and reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands, and not to nourish and restore the skin.
Comparison with analogues
Similar products used along with Zinc ointment include the following drugs:
- Cream Sudocrem. The product contains zinc oxide, supplemented with auxiliary substances, as well as antioxidant components. It is used to heal tissue, relieve irritation, and prevent the formation of wrinkles under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
- Zinc-Salicylic paste. In addition to zinc oxide, the paste contains Salicylic acid, which has the ability to heal damaged surfaces, eliminate inflammation and improve surface elasticity.
- Cream Desitin. In addition to the active substance in the form of zinc oxide, the product contains lanolin, cod liver oil, flavored oil, talc and water. Because of this, the drug does not have a strong drying effect. Desitin creates a protective shell on the surface of the face, protecting tissues from the negative effects of external factors.
The average cost of analogues is from 40 rubles for Zinc-Salicylic paste, about 274 rubles for Sudocrem cream and about 210 rubles for Desitin cream.
Sudocrem contains zinc oxide as the main component
