Zinc Oxide
Filters UV light.
What it is
A white mineral powder made of zinc and oxygen. When it is used to color a product, it is listed as CI 77947.
A UV filter that absorbs and scatters UV light, and it also gives the product a white color.
What it does in a formula
Filters UV lightOfficial EU function: UV filter
Limits microbesOfficial EU function: Antimicrobial
Helps protect skinOfficial EU function: Skin protecting
Adds colorOfficial EU function: Colorant
Gives the textureOfficial EU function: Bulking
Shields the formula from lightOfficial EU function: UV absorber
Used in oral careOfficial EU function: Oral care
What official sources say
Restricted in certain uses · Cosmetics, EU
Allowed as a colorant in EU cosmetics with conditions (Annex IV).
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex IV: list of colorants allowed in cosmetic products (CosIng), retrieved 2026-10-09Worth knowing · The pure substance, EU
As a pure substance it is hazardous to the environment (EU harmonised classification). How much a product contains matters.
Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated text, Annex VI Part 3 Table 3 (harmonised classifications), retrieved 2026-10-09Restricted in certain uses · Cosmetics, EU
Allowed as a UV filter in EU cosmetics up to 25% (Annex VI).
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex VI: list of UV filters allowed in cosmetic products (CosIng), retrieved 2026-10-09