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ZincO Cream as a product has been around for many years now. It is time that it had its own page on this site where we can collect reviews and comments in one place. I still use ZincO Cream everyday to offer protection from the sun and to smooth over facial redness. I trust that you too will find this sunscreen a keeper.
A bit of history
What we know today as RosaceaCare’s ZincO Cream started life as a brand new sunscreen created by one of the original members of the Rosacea Support email group, a dermatologist Dr. Linda Sy.
Dr. Sy’s design goal was to create an elegant physical sunscreen, based on micro-fine dimethicone coated zinc oxide, that would have a minimal list of ingredients so as to be well tolerated by sensitive rosacea skin. After several iterations of the product including members of the rosacea support email group to test along the way, Dr. Sy started selling ZincO Cream around the begining of 2000. ZincO Cream quickly became a much loved sunscreen for rosacea sufferers.
Dr. Sy has since retired, and in 2009 RosaceaCare began selling Linda Sy’s ZincO Cream as the slightly renamed `TINTED ZincO – SPF 20′. The same manufacturer and ingredient list is used by RosaceaCare as was used by Linda Sy, albeit in a smaller tube.
Tinted ZincO Cream Ingredients
Active ingredient: Zinc oxide 14.5%
Inactive ingredients: Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, steareth-21, C13-14 isoparaffin, cyclomethicone, glycerin, laureth-7, phenoxyethanol, polyacrylamide, synthetic beeswax, dimethicone, iron oxides, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, talc, castor oil phosphate, methylparaben, DEA-oleth-3 phosphate, propylparaben, chromium oxide greens, disodium EDTA, ultramarines.
Untined ZincO Cream No More
Sadly for the fans of the untinted product, Untinted ZincO, (or Translucent ZincO as it was called by RosaceaCare) is no longer made by RosaceaCare. Untinted ZincO Cream was originally available along side the tinted version, and allowed the option of protection from the sun without a flesh colouring. The untinted version of ZincO cream also allowed lighter toned skin to be catered for by blending the two creams together before application.
One other option that could be considered as a replacement for the untinted ZincO Cream is RosaceaCare’s ZinClear based Sunscreen 30.
Tinted ZincO SPF20 Web Page Link
Rosacea Care Product Page – TINTED ZincO – SPF 20
The Best Rosacea Sunscreen?
We know well that no one product will be tolerated and liked by all rosacea sufferers, but it seems that over the last 15 years, Tinted ZincO Cream has held its own as a well liked sunscreen.
If you haven’t been able to use ZincO Cream there are other options worth considering – Vanicream Sunscreens would be one place to start.
Please leave a comment below with your thoughts on finding your favourite rosacea beating sunscreen.
User Reviews
I’ll kick of the reviews with my own, if you’ll allow me.
I have been using ZincO Cream since it was in development as a product in 1999. I still use it every day. It works well for me as both a daily protection from the sun and coverage for my red nose. If I perspire a lot during the day, or flush a lot, or touch my face too much I find that I need to re-apply in the afternoon, and indeed if I head out in the evening will re-apply after washing my face again.
I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, followed by Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion over my whole face, and then after the moisturiser has absorbed in, apply ZincO Cream on my nose and upper cheeks.
In case you haven’t read my comments previously, see My Treatments: Rozex, Doryx, ZincO and Photos of my red nose, acne-like rosacea and also What sunscreens do I use?
Disclaimer: RosaceaCare, the makers of Tinted ZincO SPF20 are a site sponsor of rosacea-support.org.
Related Articles
- Micronized Zinc Oxide Dimethicone a Safe Sunscreen
- Vanicream Sunscreens User Reviews
- Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen
- Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen SPF46
- How Much Sunscreen Should I Use?
Personally, I much prefer using Vani-Cream SPF 50 (4oz.) with Zinc Oxide for half the price of this $34 (2oz.) ZincoCream. Plus, VaniCream provides a light tint to camouflage my redness and is formulated for very sensative skin – contains no parabens, dyes, lanolin or other preservatives or fragrance. It’s recommended by UCSF, dermatologist recommended. I also mix a bit of pure zinc oxide powder into my moisturizer at home for a calming effect on my skin. Just a suggestion.
An artisan with rosacea makes a zinc based sunscreen without chemicals including parabens, called Celtic Complexion, Organic sunscreen for sensitive skin that moisturizes too. The maker has rosacea so she understands the importance of simple yet good ingredients. The Organic Sunscreen currently costs $29 and a tube lasts me at least through summer and longer. I mix mine with makeup when I need to.
I have skin that is super sensitive to chemicals, and I use Isvara Organic Coconut Oil Sunscreen. (Available at some online natural products stores, such as Vitacost.)
Pros: It has a very limited and mostly natural list of ingredients: Organic coconut oil, organic aloe oil, zinc oxide, organic shea butter, llip butter, red raspberry seed oil, stearic acid, bees wax, vegetable wax, vitamin C, organic lecithin, phenorethanol. No fragrances, nothing that isn’t necessary. Good price. At Vitacost, it is $11.23 for 5.5 oz, and a little goes a long way.
Cons: It is thick and a bit hard to use – you have to shake it well to mix the oils with the zinc, but that can be hard because of its thickness; it also takes some time to absorb into your skin (again, thickness).
They also make a tinted version, Isvara Organics Tinted Skin Screen. I haven’t tried it. Very similar ingredients, but for some reason they added a couple of essential oils for fragrance. Anything added that isn’t necessary increases the odds of a sensitivity reaction, but, for me, at least, essential oils do cause fewer reactions than chemical fragrances.
I love the Zinco tinted sunscreen. It has been a God send! I started using it initially when it was Linda Sy and was in a panic until I found out that the formulation had been passed onto Rosacea Care. I use it almost as a primer for makeup as it just makes everything go on so smooth and clean. Can’t say enough about it!