Zinc Oxide (ZnO) 50 g

White Mineral Pigment & Cosmetic Formulation Ingredient

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is a fine white mineral powder widely used in cosmetic, personal-care, soap and industrial formulations.

In handmade soap and cosmetics, Zinc Oxide is primarily valued for its ability to provide:

• White coloration
• Opacity
• Matte appearance
• Mineral-based formulation character
• Functional skin-care positioning in appropriately designed products

It is insoluble in water and should normally be dispersed carefully before incorporation into a formulation.

What Is Zinc Oxide?

Zinc Oxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula:

ZnO

It is typically supplied as a fine white powder.

Common applications include:

• Handmade soap
• Creams
• Lotions
• Balms
• Protective cosmetic formulations
• Pigmented cosmetic products
• Selected powder products
• Industrial coatings and ceramics

The grade used for cosmetic products should be specifically suitable for cosmetic applications.

Zinc Oxide in Soap Making

Zinc Oxide can be used in handmade soap primarily as a white pigment and opacifying ingredient.

It may help create:

• Brighter white soap
• Softer pastel shades
• More opaque bars
• Mineral-inspired soap designs

It can be particularly useful when a white or muted base color is required before adding additional pigments.

Use in Cold Process Soap

Zinc Oxide may be incorporated into compatible cold process formulations.

For more even dispersion:

1. Measure the required amount accurately.
2. Pre-disperse the powder in a small quantity of liquid oil or another suitable medium.
3. Mix until no visible clumps remain.
4. Add the dispersion to the soap batter.
5. Blend until evenly distributed.
6. Pour into the mold and cure normally.

Adding dry Zinc Oxide directly to thick soap batter may produce visible white specks or clumps.

Typical Use in Soap

A practical starting level may be approximately:

0.5–2% of the total soap batch

depending on:

• Desired opacity
• Existing soap color
• Particle size
• Product specification
• Other pigments used

Start at a low level and increase gradually.

For professional production, always follow the technical recommendation for the actual Zinc Oxide grade supplied.

White Pigment & Opacifier

Zinc Oxide can help produce a more opaque white appearance.

It may also be combined with other compatible pigments to create pastel shades such as:

• Pale blue
• Light green
• Soft pink
• Lavender
• Cream tones

The final appearance depends on the soap base and pigment system.

Use in Cosmetic Formulations

Cosmetic-grade Zinc Oxide may be incorporated into products such as:

• Creams
• Balms
• Lotions
• Protective skin-care formulations
• Powder products
• Pigmented cosmetics

Its exact role depends on the formulation.

Possible functions include:

• Opacifier
• White pigment
• Skin-protective formulation ingredient
• Mineral component

Zinc Oxide Is Not a Moisturizer

Zinc Oxide itself is not a moisturizing oil or humectant.

If a formulation is intended to moisturize the skin, this function normally comes from ingredients such as:

• Glycerin
• Vegetable oils
• Esters
• Butters
• Humectants
• Emollients

Zinc Oxide should therefore not be marketed simply as a “moisturizing ingredient.”

Zinc Oxide in Sunscreen Products

Zinc Oxide is used as a UV-filter ingredient in regulated sunscreen formulations in markets where this use is permitted.

However, raw Zinc Oxide powder does not automatically make a product a sunscreen.

A finished sunscreen product requires careful evaluation of:

• Zinc Oxide grade
• Particle size
• Nano or non-nano status
• Dispersion quality
• Concentration
• Formula uniformity
• SPF performance
• UVA protection
• Photostability
• Regulatory requirements

A homemade cream or soap containing Zinc Oxide should never be assigned an SPF value without appropriate finished-product testing.

Do Not Estimate SPF from Zinc Oxide Percentage

Statements such as:

“10% Zinc Oxide = SPF X”

should not be used as a general formulation rule.

SPF depends on the complete finished product and must be verified using appropriate standardized testing.

Nano vs. Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

Zinc Oxide may be available in different particle-size grades.

Depending on the product and supplier, it may be:

• Non-nano
• Nano
• Coated
• Uncoated
• Surface-treated
• Standard pigment grade

These versions can behave very differently in cosmetic formulations.

Always confirm:

• Particle size
• Surface treatment
• INCI declaration
• Regulatory classification

from the supplier documentation.

Dispersion Is Critical

Because Zinc Oxide is an insoluble mineral powder, good dispersion is essential.

Poor dispersion can cause:

• White specks
• Uneven color
• Agglomeration
• Gritty texture
• Inconsistent finished-product performance

Depending on the formulation, it may be dispersed in:

• Suitable vegetable oil
• Cosmetic ester
• Other compatible oil-phase material
• Specialized pigment dispersion system

Water Solubility

Zinc Oxide is practically insoluble in water.

It should therefore not be described as a water-soluble ingredient.

It is typically dispersed rather than dissolved.

Cosmetic-Grade Requirements

For use in commercial cosmetic products, confirm the supplier provides appropriate documentation such as:

• Technical Data Sheet
• Safety Data Sheet
• Certificate of Analysis
• Purity specification
• Heavy metal limits
• Particle-size information
• Nano/non-nano declaration where relevant
• Cosmetic-use suitability

These specifications are especially important for mineral powders.

Product Details

Product Name: Zinc Oxide
Chemical Name: Zinc Oxide
INCI Name: Zinc Oxide
Chemical Formula: ZnO
CAS Number: 1314-13-2
Weight: 50 g
Form: Fine White Powder
Solubility: Practically Insoluble in Water
Primary Functions: White Pigment / Opacifier / Cosmetic Formulation Ingredient
Applications: Soap Making, Cosmetics and Selected Industrial Formulations

Purity

If the supplier COA confirms the value, you may state:

Purity: ≥99%

Do not use a fixed purity claim unless it is supported by the actual product documentation.

Is Zinc Oxide “Natural”?

Zinc Oxide is a mineral-derived inorganic ingredient, but the word “natural” should be used carefully.

Commercial cosmetic Zinc Oxide is manufactured and purified to controlled specifications.

For professional descriptions, terms such as:

Mineral-based ingredient

or

inorganic mineral powder

are generally more technically precise.

Safety During Handling

Zinc Oxide is a very fine powder.

Avoid creating airborne dust during weighing and mixing.

Recommended precautions include:

• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Avoid inhaling fine powder.
• Wear suitable eye protection.
• Use suitable respiratory protection if dust exposure is possible.
• Wear gloves during professional handling.
• Avoid direct eye contact.

Do not intentionally inhale cosmetic powders.

Important Heating Precaution

Zinc Oxide should not be exposed to uncontrolled high-temperature processes.

Industrial heating of Zinc Oxide-containing materials can create hazardous fumes under certain conditions.

Follow the SDS and process-specific safety procedures.

Storage

Store Zinc Oxide:

• In tightly closed packaging
• In a cool and dry place
• Protected from moisture
• Away from direct sunlight
• Away from contamination
• Out of reach of children

Keep the container closed when not in use.

Important Formulation Note

The correct use level depends on the intended finished product.

A dosage suitable for an opaque handmade soap may not be suitable for:

• Face cream
• Baby-care product
• Sunscreen
• Makeup
• Powder cosmetic

Each formulation must be evaluated according to its intended application and regulatory requirements.

Wholesale, Private Label & Contract Manufacturing

We also supply Zinc Oxide, cosmetic pigments, mineral powders, soap-making ingredients and other formulation raw materials in wholesale quantities for soap makers, cosmetic brands, laboratories, retailers and professional manufacturers.

In addition to raw material supply, we provide private label and contract manufacturing services for soaps, creams, lotions, balms, cleansing products and other customized personal-care formulations.

Custom products can be developed with different mineral ingredients, vegetable oils, fragrances, colors, active ingredients, packaging formats and private label designs.

For bulk Zinc Oxide orders, private label products or contract manufacturing, please contact us with your required grade, quantity, intended application, formulation requirements, packaging format, target market and estimated production volume.