Zinc cream is a cosmetic product with zinc oxide that you apply as a spot treatment to areas of skin whose look you want to improve, for example small imperfections or irritation. Take a look at our Hojko zinc cream from our range of creams for problem skin, or let our Advisor guide you, as it can help you choose care tailored to you. In this article you will also learn how it differs from the zinc ointment you know from the pharmacy, and how to tell the two apart before you buy either of them.
What zinc cream is made of
Our Hojko cream is built on a combination of shea butter, zinc oxide, sunflower oil, pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) and beeswax, complemented by lavender oil. Shea butter and sunflower oil give the skin a soft feel, pot marigold is traditionally used in cosmetics for its soothing effect on the look of the skin, and beeswax forms a delicate layer on the surface that helps hold in moisture. Zinc oxide is a mineral ingredient that cosmetics and pharmacy products have used for decades because it is well tolerated, and it also features in studies on zinc and skin care (source: PubMed database). The cream is for external use only and is applied as a spot treatment, not to the whole face.
How does zinc cream affect the look of your skin?
In skin care, this cream is used mainly as a spot treatment, on areas where you want to improve the look of the skin or give it a feeling of greater calm. Thanks to its composition, it acts on the skin's surface as a gentle protective layer that stays in place longer than an ordinary cream, which you will appreciate especially with recurring irritation, for example after shaving or on drier areas of the face. It is not a medicine or a product with an immediate or guaranteed result; it is cosmetic care that helps the skin look neater and less irritated with regular, gentle use. If you are interested in a broader look at irritated or itchy skin, see also the article how to relieve itchy skin.
Zinc ointment and zinc cream: what is the difference?
Zinc ointment and our cream may have similar names, but they are two different products. Zinc ointment is a registered medicine with a high zinc oxide content that you buy at the pharmacy, and its use, dosage and suitability for a particular skin problem are always assessed by a pharmacist or doctor, not by a cosmetics company. If you want to know what zinc ointment is used for, or whether it helps with rashes, acne or scars, you will get the most reliable answer directly at the pharmacy, where they will advise you with your particular skin and any other products you use in mind. Our zinc cream, by contrast, is a cosmetic product designed to care for the look of the skin, not a medicine, and it does not promise any healing effect, only gentle, regular care.
| Feature | Zinc cream | Zinc ointment |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Cosmetic product | Registered medicine |
| Where to buy | Online shop, drugstore | Pharmacy |
| Who advises on the choice | You, according to your skin's needs | Pharmacist or doctor |
| Purpose | Caring for the look of the skin | Treatment as directed by a pharmacist or doctor |
How to use it properly
This cream works best when you add it as a complement to your usual routine, not as a replacement for your whole skin care. It is not a product you apply to your whole face every day, but rather a helper for particular spots that need it right now, for example after irritation from shaving, the weather or unsuitable cosmetics. Try to follow a simple routine when using it, one that gives your skin attention without overdoing it and also helps you avoid the most common mistakes, such as applying it to the whole face or using it too often, which can dry the skin out rather than improve its look. Patience pays off here: a visible change in the look of the skin comes gradually with regular, gentle use, not after a single application.
- First gently cleanse and dry your skin so the surface is clean for applying the cream.
- Take a small amount of cream and apply it only as a spot treatment, to a particular area, not to the whole face.
- Gently massage the cream into the skin with your fingertips until most of it is absorbed.
- Before using a new product for the first time, do a patch test: apply a small amount to your forearm or behind your ear and wait 24 to 48 hours.
- If redness, itching or any other unpleasant reaction appears, stop using it and talk to a pharmacist.
Who it suits
It is most often reached for by skin prone to small imperfections or areas that need more calm, for example after skin irritation. Given its simple composition, it is usually well tolerated by more sensitive skin too, but as with any new product it is worth doing a patch test first before you add it to your usual routine. If you are caring for acne-prone skin more comprehensively, not just with spot care, you will find a broader look at the causes and routine in the article acne, its causes and gentle care for acne-prone skin. It is not applied to the whole face because zinc can dry the skin, so keep it only to the areas that really need it.
Did you know…
Did you know that zinc oxide has been used in cosmetics and pharmacy for decades precisely because skin usually tolerates it well?