Zinc Oxide Powder Non Nano Uncoated Cosmetic Grade, 1/2 Lb

The problem: extremely oily and sun-sensitive skin. By oily skin, I mean like Crisco shiny about half an hour after a shower. Blotter papers are a help but I go through them quickly as I will use 5-10 at a time and those are the rice paper with powder versions. The only time my skin was not oily, I was 6 months into a round of Accutane. Regarding sun-sensitive, I'm on the pale but pinkish red side and 15 minutes of sun exposure will turn me into a cherry. To add insult to injury, skin cancer runs in my family so I really need a good sunblock.Compounding the problem: I used BurnOut sunscreen then they changed their formula and it is now both oily and ineffective. Very frustrating. I've tried many other top rated brands and none were even close to the effectiveness of the original BurnOut formula.The solution: Blend zinc oxide into my foundation, which works to absorb the oil and block the sun.My routine:- Two pumps of my liquid makeup on my fingers then dip my fingers into the zinc oxide. If I pick up too much zinc oxide this way, I tap my fingers and let some of the powder fall off, which makes it easy to control the ratio of zinc oxide to foundation being used. Note: I use a small container for this purpose so that the zinc oxide doesn't collect accidental extras such as a small amount of foundation.- I use my other fingers to blend the foundation and zinc oxide together. It is okay if there are small amounts of white zinc oxide still showing because it will blend when I apply the foundation. Just mix most of it and any clumps.- Apply foundation as usual. Take care to blend around your hairline well (I push the foundation into my hairline a little with my fingers then apply pressure to my hair using the heels of my hands to do the last bit of 'blend', if that makes any sense).I've adjusted the amount of zinc oxide up and down to find the perfect mix for me. If I get too much, I look too pale. If I get too little, my face is oily about 4 hours later. I've also tried applying zinc oxide with my powder brush and that worked okay but I was happier with the final result when I blended it into my foundation.Just oily in the T-zone or have a dry spot? Apply foundation with as little or as much zinc oxide as works for your skin, avoiding the oily or dry area. Then use a separate amount of foundation with a different amount of zinc oxide - more for oily T zone - or less/none for a dry spot. I tend to get a dry spot just under my nose from blowing it all winter so sometimes I use barely any zinc oxide there.Good to know: Like makeup, zinc oxide is being applied to your face. You will need to remove it daily so that it doesn't build up. Makeup remover towels work great but I still exfoliate daily. You'll see proof of the buildup on your fingers after you apply your makeup in the morning so a good handwashing afterward will be necessary.Final result: I've had many compliments on my makeup. :) More importantly, I absolutely love the final result. I can sleep in my makeup after a full day and that is the only time my face starts to look a little dewy.Products I use (and love!):- Clarins Skin Illusion liquid foundation (note: Clarins also makes Ever Matte liquid foundation but it looks flat on my skin and looked bad enough for me to throw away the rest of the sample). I can also wear a shade I would consider too dark and lighten it up with the zinc oxide, which is a great thing because Clarins discontinued my favorite shade.- NYX bronzer Ibiza 02 (technically it is a combo with a pink too but I avoid that side like the pink plague ;)- Clarins Ever Matte Shine Control Mineral Powder Compact 01 transparent light (gives me a slightly airbrushed but not flat finish)Zinc oxide is supposed to be inert, as in chemically inactive. However, I am not a chemical engineer by any means but I highly recommend trying this out if you have oily skin. I don't know what kinds of reactions can occur when mixing different makeups with zinc oxide, which is why I mention the products I've used with no drawbacks. This doesn't mean it will work on the next person but I can say that this is an absolute lifesaver for me.

I bought this for making sunscreen. The package arrived as we were headed out to the pool for my son's swim lessons. I didn't have time to make the recipe I had in mind so I just mixed some of this zinc with organic virgin coconut oil (which naturally has an SPF of around 5) and ran out the door. Amazing results. Even my very fair skinned husband who burns easily was thoroughly impressed. He thought I should make tubs of it for friends and family…and I'm going to do that. Anything to encourage people to use non-toxic, natural products on their bodies! The chemical spray sunscreens are so unhealthy, they get absorbed into the bloodstream, we're inhaling it and our kids our ingesting it. I can't see why anyone would chose anything other than this awesome zinc mixed with coconut oil. The consistency was perfect and it smelled great too! Also, it's cheap! Get it and make your own sunscreen! It takes 2 minutes! Also, on a side note, coconut oil is antiviral. I find it to be a bonus to know that my 3 year old is coated in an antiviral substance. You just can't go wrong!

How I use this product:Mix with few drops of my favorite moisturizer and a bit of foundation for daily use.Mix generous amount with a body lotion inside a jar to use on vacation as hardcore sunscreen.This has been one of the best purchases I made this summer. After reading the reviews I decided to try it. I visit beach regularly in pursuit of bird photography. I have freckles as it is and although not a ginger myself, my skin will burn easily. I have recently noticed some spots that are not beauty marks, on side of my cheeks and jawline, and those look more like age spots (I am 36). Since childhood we used to tan and burn and not cared but now I am very paranoid.Since I started mixing this with my face lotion I have not burned my face even once. I also apply it on my neck, chest and arms. I do use spray sunscreen on legs though as it is more convenient.Pros:This product will truly protect you. Wherever I apply I do not burn, however I am not a swimmer but this product is not waterproof because it easily washed of my hands.This product is drying so when mixed with lotion and applied to face or body it has a clean dry feel as opposed to those horribly sticky or greasy sunscreen sprays and lotions that ever absorb or dry at all. This is the biggest advantage.Even without measuring it always protects, i just mix it into semi thick paste.Cons:This product is pretty annoying in sense that it is powder that will turn you ghastly shade of white with red rimmed eyes like a lab bunny. When I purchased this I hoped for an alternative to chemical sunscreens and foundations. I thought I will just mix my favorite foundation with this for daily protection but this truly ads a cast and if I want to add decent amount of protection the whiteness outweighs any tint in my make-up. I mix it by hand so some granules remain unmixed and later smear white on my face. I do not feel like using a gallon blender to make a tiny jar of sunscreen though.I wish this came in a beige tinted form with some natural tints as that would truly help make this every day foundation base.