Zinc ointment and its use: how it helps against acne

Composition and pharmacological properties

Zinc ointment contains only two components: zinc oxide and petroleum jelly. The first substance is active and has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. The instructions for use for the drug say that the ointment is also a disinfectant, astringent and drying agent.

So, zinc ointment can be characterized as:

• antiseptic;
• drying;
• emollient;
• anti-inflammatory;
• restorative;
• adsorbent;
• antiviral agent.

Zinc ointment and its composition

Zinc ointment can be called a universal remedy, as it helps get rid of most skin diseases. It contains only two components - zinc oxide, as well as an additional substance - vasilin. The medicine is sold in any pharmacy in simple packaging in a tube or jar from 10 to 25 g . This minimal set of components included in the product has very few limitations and is most often used to solve large and serious skin problems. The ointment helps in eliminating the following problems:

• Treatment of acne on facial skin;
• For the treatment of cuts, wet wounds and trophic ulcers as an antiseptic;
• Psoriasis and eczema;
• Reduced activity of the sebaceous glands;
• Diaper rash and heat rash in babies.

If we compare zinc ointment in composition with other modern medicines, then it has a very limited composition of components without additives that are harmful to health, which can only have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.

The two components contained in zinc ointment eliminate irritation, relieve inflammation, dry and disinfect the skin. Using the product, you can reduce the production of sebaceous glands and reduce the fat layer , increase the elasticity and firmness of the dermis.

The minimum amount of zinc in the ointment is completely harmless to health, so a negative reaction is extremely rare. The ratio of zinc to Vaseline is 1:10, the ointment has a white, thick consistency.

Indications for use

We have already said that the ointment is universal; it can treat both childhood and adult skin diseases.
The product is inexpensive and effective, so it will come in handy in any first aid kit. Zinc ointment is used:

• for various mechanical lesions of the skin (for example: burns, wounds, abrasions);
• for diaper rash in newborns;
• for acne (read the article: Does zinc ointment help with acne?), wrinkles, blackheads;
• for streptoderma in children and adults;
• ulcerative skin lesions;
• eczema, bedsores and other skin diseases.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite its positive properties, zinc can have a negative effect on the skin , for example, if it is very dry and prone to irritation. The product will get rid of acne, but will cause severe peeling and the skin will become depleted.

If there is a pronounced purulent rash, then in this case you should also not use zinc ointment. Ointment will not help with this condition, so it is better to consult a doctor and not treat yourself.

There is an individual intolerance to the drug, when the body reacts poorly to zinc and petroleum jelly. If you use the ointment excessively, it can cause irritation, so you should not get carried away, but apply it in a thin layer and only on the affected areas of the skin.

After use, rashes may appear and itching may begin; if this happens, then the ointment should not be used. An allergic reaction can be caused by prolonged use of the product; to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to observe moderation in everything.

For those who suffer from skin rashes, especially in adolescence, zinc ointment will be a real salvation. It is inexpensive, so it is available to everyone; you can buy it without a prescription and at any pharmacy. The ointment is easy to apply and has an effective effect on problem skin, which is why it has become so popular.

Instructions for use

The ointment is applied with light rubbing movements onto the damaged area of ​​the skin. The frequency of use of the drug depends on the identified disease and its severity. Most often, the ointment is applied in a thin layer about 5 times a day without using bandages.

Be careful not to let the ointment come into contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes. If this cannot be avoided, rinse your eyes thoroughly with plenty of warm water.

• For age spots and freckles . The whitening properties of zinc ointment will help get rid of pigmented areas of the skin and freckles. The product should be applied to previously cleansed skin 4-6 times a day. You can use the ointment until you achieve the desired result.
• For pimples and acne. Before applying the ointment, steam your face well and cleanse it. Then apply the product in a thin layer. To achieve the best results, do not use cosmetics throughout the entire course of treatment.
• From excessive sweating . This problem can cause a lot of inconvenience to its owner. To get rid of excessive sweating of the armpits and legs, apply a thin layer of ointment to clean, dry skin (2-3 times a day). The product has antiseptic properties and dries the skin well. Despite the fact that the drug does not contain toxic components, you should not abuse it. It is not recommended for use for hyperhidrosis by pregnant and lactating women.
• For diaper rash in children. For prevention and treatment, apply the product to affected areas of the skin 3 times a day. It is advisable to do this as soon as you notice the slightest signs of irritation or redness of the skin.
• Auxiliary treatment of psoriasis. To eliminate itching, it is enough just to treat the affected areas of the skin several times a day. The ointment must be used in combination with the main treatment.
• From wrinkles and premature aging. The product is also effective against age-related changes. It makes the skin tone smoother and starts regeneration processes. To combat wrinkles, the ointment is used as follows: apply a thin layer to clean facial skin at night. Such procedures are carried out 2-3 times a week.

Be sure to read:

How to use zinc ointment for acne on the face

Vegameal.com

The list of external medications contains only a few medications that would satisfy all the requirements of the doctor and the patient. One of them is zinc ointment. This remedy has long been firmly established in clinical practice. Due to its safety, good effect, few contraindications and, with all these advantages, fairly low price, it has been used for more than a hundred years. Now zinc ointment has begun to be replaced from pharmacy counters by other drugs. Instead, products that are more convenient to use or enhanced with additional therapeutic components are often recommended. However, none of them has such a multifaceted therapeutic effect as zinc ointment. In addition, the change in priorities is caused not so much by the emergence of better drugs, but by the natural development of pharmacology and the need to implement new drugs. Therefore, even when resorting to the help of modern drugs, remember that you always have zinc ointment “in stock”, which you can use with no worse results.

Mechanism of action and indications for use

Zinc ointment has the simplest, if not elementary, composition. However, zinc oxide mixed with petroleum jelly has been successfully proving its right to exist for many years. Thanks to the five main components of the therapeutic action, the ointment is very helpful in the treatment of skin diseases.

• Anti-inflammatory effect

Zinc slows down the work of inflammatory mediators - biologically active substances that cause capillary dilation, fluid accumulation in tissues and other changes that occur during the inflammatory process. Therefore, the product can be used for insect bites, acne, boils (after they have opened), dermatitis, bedsores, etc. Apply the ointment to the desired area, and within a few hours you will see that the skin has turned pale and less tense, and the pain in the area has noticeably decreased.

• Prevention of suppuration

Zinc oxide has the ability to combine with proteins, due to which a protective film is created on the surface of the damage, preventing the development of bacteria and the occurrence of infectious complications. In addition, the ointment absorbs water well, drawing out ichor and inflammatory fluid. This deprives the microbes of a breeding ground, so infection does not develop. This therapeutic effect is very useful for a variety of diseases, from ordinary household injuries (burns, cuts) to scratching the skin for scabies.

• Drying effect

This property is most valuable in the treatment of acne. If you are tired of seeing your face in the mirror, invariably covered with white dots from ripened pustules, zinc ointment will definitely help you. After just 3-4 days, you will notice that the dots have become several times smaller, and the swelling and inflammation around them have disappeared. The ointment reduces the work of the sebaceous glands. So, if you have oily skin, this product will certainly not disappoint you.

• Antiseptic effect

Zinc ointment has little antimicrobial activity. Unfortunately, it is not strong enough to fight a severe infection, so when treating purulent wounds it must be supplemented with antibacterial drugs.

• Regenerating effect

If you still remember your school biology course, then you probably know that zinc is one of the most important trace elements responsible for cell division. Therefore, when using zinc ointment, any damage heals much faster.

Use in pregnant women and children

The product is absolutely safe, so there are no restrictions on its use either for expectant mothers or children. Zinc ointment can be used from the first days of life, for example, in the treatment of diaper dermatitis.

Contraindications

Zinc ointment cannot be used only if you are intolerant, but allergies to it are very rare.

Dosage

The drug is applied to previously cleansed skin 4-6 times a day. The course of treatment may vary. Small pimples disappear in a few days, and, for example, with bedsores and trophic ulcers, therapy can last up to a month or more. If we talk about the duration of the course, it would be most fair to determine the period “until recovery”.

When zinc ointment DOES NOT help

Zinc ointment is an excellent remedy, but sometimes its effects are greatly overestimated. Remember: if you are treating deep trophic ulcers, severe burns and other serious diseases, it should not become the only component of therapy. In such cases, the drug should be more of an addition than a base. Some patients complain that zinc ointment does not help them. This happens with very wet wounds, especially with eczema: in fact, the continuously released liquid washes away the fatty base of the ointment and prevents it from creating a protective film. In these cases, dermatologists turn to the rule “like cures like.” If you have “wet” lesions, you need to use water-based products, for example, Tsindol - a liquid suspension of zinc oxide. Contrary to popular beliefs, zinc does not protect from the sun and does not help with age spots, although it can temporarily cover them up - after the ointment dries, white marks remain on the skin, like chalk. Also, the drug is unfairly “suspected” of being effective against hemorrhoids and herpes. The best medicine is not always the most complex, as can be seen from the example of zinc ointment. Despite the fact that this is a very old and extremely simple remedy, it often helps where other drugs remain powerless. An additional advantage is that the ointment does not require great precision in dosages and does not pose any health hazard, and patients almost never have questions about its use. Therefore, it is successfully used both by patients recovering under the supervision of doctors, and by those who decide to rush into self-medication.

Author: Evgenia Sokolova (doctor) ________________________________________________________________ PS: Since zinc ointment is not effective for herpes, read the correct recommendations in the article on how to quickly cure herpes.

We also recommend reading “boil: treatment at home“

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Reviews of zinc ointment

People respond very well to the ointment. She copes well with the treatment of various skin diseases, acne, and diaper rash.

Let's take a look at the reviews about the product:

• “I first heard about the ointment when I encountered diaper rash in our baby. Her mother recommended it to me. It costs mere pennies, but it works just wonderfully! I applied it thickly before every diaper change to the affected areas. Within three hours after application, all diaper rash disappeared!” Yanochka
• “The ointment helped me get rid of acne in just three days! I applied it as a mask at night.” Button
• “Unfortunately, this ointment did not help me with acne, but I use it against irritation after shaving. Apply a thin layer to dry skin. I’m very pleased!” Lianochka

Does Lactofiltrum help get rid of acne on the face? Reviews are quite mixed. You can read about the types and effective treatment of lichen in adults and children by following the link.

Salicylic-zinc paste for acne

This effective paste also has another name - Lassara paste, a very common remedy with anti-inflammatory effects. She can very quickly restore health to the skin so that it can look beautiful again. The salicylic component in combination with zinc has an effect not only on acne; also, after its use, the spots that often remain after acne will disappear along with pimples. The paste also helps very well with other skin problems:

• Ulcers and wounds on the surface of the skin;
• Diaper rash and prickly heat;
• Bedsores, eczema
• Streptoderma;
• Burns.

To get a positive result, you need to know the rules for using the paste and follow the instructions for its use. The paste should be applied only to cleansed skin, and also use cosmetics during treatment with salicylic-zinc paste. The product should be applied to the affected areas of the skin only in a thin layer, pointwise . If you use it immediately after acne appears, it will act faster and help get rid of them very quickly. After using the paste at night, it should be removed from the surface of the skin with a napkin, and then rinsed with warm water.

During use, the paste has a positive effect on skin cells, regenerating them, dries them, reduces the production of sebaceous glands, disinfects and relieves irritation on the skin surface, it becomes more elastic.

What else do you need to know

To avoid any negative reactions, you need to know the following:

• if side effects appear after using the ointment, stop using it immediately;
• do not apply ointment in the lip area if you are at risk or already have herpes in the active stage;
• Also beware of getting the ointment on the mucous membrane of the eyes;
• the ointment is intended for external use only; before application, be sure to cleanse the skin;
• do not use zinc ointment simultaneously with other medications, this may provoke an allergic reaction and weaken the effect of the active substance;
• When treating with ointment, you need to follow a diet, that is, eat right - exclude fatty, fried, flour, sweet, etc.

How to achieve better results?

While using zinc ointment, you should not use other acne treatments. For the results to be noticeable and lasting, the ointment must be used regularly. Experts recommend excluding from your daily diet certain foods that contain soy protein and copper; these substances will block the effect of zinc.

foods rich in zinc into the diet , these include nuts, eggs, beans, and liver.

This product can not only relieve inflammation from the skin, but also whiten it. If you regularly use the ointment, the rashes will stop and slight peeling will appear in places where there were pimples. If you have an oily skin type, there may not be any peeling, but those with dry skin will have to use the ointment with restrictions.

To enhance the effect of the product, it can be used with ichthyol ointment. Apply tea tree oil to the cleaned surface, then apply the mixed products to the face. It is very important not to overdo it in treatment, otherwise the opposite effect may occur.

What does zinc ointment help with?

To find out all the positive qualities of the drug in question, it is necessary to study in detail the properties of its base ingredient. It is advisable to find out in advance what diseases zinc ointment is effective for and what it helps with. The main component has the following local effects:

• antiseptic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• absorbent;
• healing;
• soothing (for irritation);
• astringent;
• protective;
• emollient;
• antiexudative.

Zinc ointment - indications for use

The main area of ​​use of the presented medication is dermatology. Zinc ointment is used in the treatment of the following pathologies:

• dermatitis;
• diaper rash;
• eczema;
• chicken pox;
• psoriasis;
• 1st degree burns;
• weeping wounds;
• cuts;
• scratches;
• mild sun and chemical burns;
• diathesis;
• external hemorrhoids;
• healing purulent wounds;
• herpes;
• dermatological rashes of an infectious nature;
• hyperhidrosis.

The product described is also used to maintain the beauty of the skin and eliminate defects. In cosmetology, zinc ointment has the following indications:

• acne;
• post-acne;
• excessive skin pigmentation;
• rehabilitation period after peeling, mechanical cleaning and other aggressive influences;
• excessive activity of the sebaceous glands;
• enlarged pores.

What is good about zinc ointment?

The main advantage of the medicine is its simple composition. Due to the content of only 2 components, the drug is well tolerated even with a tendency to allergies, and does not provoke negative side effects. Another plus is the duration of therapy in which zinc ointment can be used; the properties of the active ingredient allow the medication to be applied for a long time without the risk of addiction.

The presented drug is distinguished by its versatility. It is useful to have it in your home medicine cabinet as a remedy for burns, abrasions and wounds, minor inflammations and ulcers on the skin. Zinc ointment copes well with diaper rash, so it is successfully used in the hygienic care of babies. To obtain the desired effect, it is important to use the medicine correctly.