Zinc Oxide Sunscreen and Diaper Rash Ointment
Another common question from the perceptive readers…
So what’s the difference between a zinc oxide based sunscreen and diaper rash ointment? Not much! Just marketed differently.
The main difference is in the base. Diaper rash ointments have little to no water content and sunscreen base usually has water listed as the first ingredient. If it’s marketed as a water-resistant sunscreen, then it too has little to no water and is practically similar to diaper cream. Also, diaper cream is usually made with conventional zinc oxide (and hence the pasty white look) whereas many commercial zinc oxide based sunscreen is made with micronized zinc oxide.
So yes, the two are interchangeable! Browsing over the cost of the more natural sunscreen and diaper rash ointment base at our local grocery store Central Market, sunscreen is about $2 – $3 per ounce and diaper cream is about $3 – $4 an ounce. Ouch! The more reason to make it yourself. It is surprising to me to find that the diaper cream is more expensive since conventional zinc oxide is cheaper than the micronized version. Then again, anything marketed for babies tend to be more expensive.
All this and more in my upcoming e-report on sun protection.
Comments
Comment from Wabi Sabi Baby
Time June 1, 2009 at 8:11 am
For the most part, yes, so long as there are no other active ingredients. Also, check the inactive ingredients. Many contain mineral oil, paraffin wax, and petrolatum which are okay.
Comment from JD
Time June 1, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Christina,
Check out http://www.Eva-Lution.com.au after July 1, 2009 for an upcoming new on-line store, which specialises in non-toxic ‘SPF Zinc only Sunscreens’, Repelents, Soaps and Baby Bottom Cream (for babies and kids), but also aluminium free deodorants for the mums with sensitive skin. This expanding fully organic range is made without: Titanium Dioxide, any Nut Products, Lanolin, Beeswax, Petroleum, Parabens, SLE’s and or other known Allergenic ingredients… It is also reasonably priced. Caring for sensitive skin is the whole premise.
Comment from Jiang
Time June 5, 2009 at 11:31 am
Sorry but what’s wrong with Titanium Dioxide? I thought that was the best… Thanks!
Comment from Wabi Sabi Baby
Time June 9, 2009 at 1:50 pm
TiO2 offers minimal UVA protection.
Comment from Suzanne
Time July 1, 2009 at 2:51 pm
So where can I purchase this non-micronized cream?
Comment from Zodiac
Time July 5, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hi People, have a look at Quintessentials NZ Ltd discription of a new natural sunscreen to be launched at the end of this year (southern hemisphere) and in the northern hemisphere in 2010. Zinc oxide with conventional sized particles (not nano) is the only safe sunscreen blocker on the market and is used by most natural sunscreen manufacturers. However, a natural sunscreen will only gain an SPF 15 before it starts to give a definite whitening effect, and that is why nano particles are used for higher SPF’s. That is unless the sunscreen includes state of the art ingredients that are found in nature and that increase the SPF tremendously due to their natural acids and oils. A full description of how this works, and why NZ ingredients are superior, is found on this website. You can believe it or not!
Comment from Zodiac
Time July 5, 2009 at 6:57 pm
The website is natural therapy pages dot co dot nz. Put in Quintessentials.
Comment from mm
Time August 23, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I had tried several baby lotion found in generic supermarkets and stores and I remember I liked them until I did research on how many chemicals are in them. I dont want those chemicals on my baby’s skin!!
I use the Made from Earth skincare products now for my kid – specifically the Lavender Calm lotion. I am loving it because it does not have a penetrating scent…any lotions that smell too strong like fragrence have too much perfumes makes me wonder about the hypoallergenic claim. Since Made from Earth doesnt use chemicals or fragrances all their stuff is hypoallergetic…go for the Lavender Calm lotion if you are looking for a great Non Toxic baby lotion. . .
Comment from christina
Time May 30, 2009 at 9:25 pm
hello,
would you happen to know if you can use plain old zinc oxide ointment as a sunscreen? I’ve been looking for a safer sunscreen for my children and me and it appears that zinc oxide is the best. i know some sunscreens are made with zinc oxide, as you say above, but they are quite expensive so i was hoping to just slather on zinc oxide ointment and all would be good. any thoughts? thank you!