Zinc and your skin

For more than 100 years, zinc ointments have been recommended for skin care treatment of acne, rashes, cuts, eczema, and dry skin. Zinc works by activating enzymes which promote a healthy immune system. Zinc is a vital element to maintaining the effectiveness of the skin's protective barrier. With too little zinc, your skin can break open, exposing your internal organs to environmental bacteria.

If you are experiencing skin problems, a good place to look is at the amount of zinc in your diet. If you are low in zinc, you can improve your skin's condition by eating foods such as figs, tofu, cheese, whole grains, wheat germ, corned beef, nuts, and shellfish. For the more adventurous, you can also get your zinc from eating liver and oxtail.

Adding some of these foods to your diet will make sure your zinc levels are healthy and promoting your best skin health.

For outer (topical) use, you want to look for zinc ointments which do not contain too many extra chemicals or ingredients. If you are having skin irritation or sensitivity, avoid ointments containing mineral oil, methly or propyl paraben, and propylene glycol, as applying these to already irritated skin may make the problems worse.