Many people already know it, zinc ointment, Sudocrem, or Sudo cream. Zinc ointment is often used for baby bottoms, but it also works very well against pimples. You can buy it in many drugstores including Kruidvat, DA, and Etos for a cheap price. Nowadays it is also for sale in many supermarkets such as Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and C1000, between baby products such as diapers and baby food. But why does ointment work so well? And how do you use it so that it works against pimples?
What is zinc ointment?
Zinc ointment is a white ointment that contains zinc oxide and petroleum jelly. Zinc oxide is in many products used on the skin, it is used in ointments, liniments, lotions, creams, pastes, and powders. Zinc oxide creates a layer on the skin so that the skin is protected and it ensures that the skin dries slightly.
Your pores get smaller, making your skin smooth. Pimples are basically inflammation in the skin. Zinc oxide also has an anti-inflammatory effect, it heals the skin and ensures that the oil secretion from the skin is better regulated.
Zinc ointment helps with rough, chapped, and irritated skin. It is hypo-allergenic and skin-friendly. It makes your skin soft and smooth. Damaged skin heals faster when you use ointment. Zinc ointment is especially common in households with children. This is because ointment works well against diaper eczema. Diaper eczema is reduced when the baby’s bottom is rubbed with ointment.
Zinc ointment is also called Sudo cream/Sudocrem. The nice thing about ointment is that it is not aggressive and if you use it a little bit and don’t let it sit for too long, it doesn’t dry out the skin either.
Against pimples and acne
Only with lighter shape
If you have severe acne, it is not wise to treat it yourself, then it is wise to go to your doctor or beautician. If you have a lighter form of acne, ointment can help very well. Test one part of your body before applying it all over. See how your body reacts to it because not everyone can handle it equally well. If you notice that your skin becomes irritated and red due to the zinc ointment, it is better to use a different product.
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How do you use zinc ointment?
It is best to use zinc ointment in the evening and apply it before going to sleep so that it can soak in while you sleep. Do not apply the ointment all over your face, it will make your skin drier. Make sure you only do it on your pimples so that only your pimples dry up. Please note that it can cause stains in clothing and the like, so sleep with an old towel under your head, so that it does not get into your bedding.
To cleanse your face, use coconut oil and a cotton pad. Coconut oil is a natural product to which no other ingredients have been added. When removing the ointment in the morning, you can also use coconut oil or use a cleansing lotion without alcohol.
- First, clean your skin so that no traces of makeup remain on your face, you can do this with different products.
- Wash your hands so that you do not end up in the jar with ointment with dirty hands (this keeps the zinc ointment clean).
- Spread a thin layer on the pimples and leave it on all night.
- Sleep on a towel so that ointment doesn’t get on your bedding.
- The next morning your pimples have dried.
- When you get up in the morning, remove the residual ointment with a cleansing lotion.
A mask of zinc ointment
Zinc ointment can also be used as a mask if you want soft, rosy, and fresh skin. You have to apply a thin layer on your face after your face has been cleansed. Let the ointment sit for ten minutes, being careful not to get it into the eyes.
After ten minutes, remove the ointment with a lotion without alcohol, coconut oil, or (warm) water. When you are done with this you will see that you have softer and fresher skin and the pores are more constricted. Then take care of your skin with a day cream or a night cream if you are used to this.
What else can you use zinc ointment for?
Itchy Skin
You can use ointment if you have itchy skin and you have no other means nearby that can reduce the itching. Zinc ointment works well if you have been bitten by an insect or if you have a mild sunburn. It cools the skin and the itching is quickly reduced. Be careful when you have burned yourself, ointment ensures that it closes the skin, so that no heat can escape from the skin. With a burn, the heat must be able to escape, because otherwise, you could get a second-degree burn. In this case, do not use ointment.
scar tissue
If you have a wound that is likely to become a scar later, you can also use zinc ointment. Lubricate the area with ointment and repeat this several times for several days in a row. The ointment then ensures that there is no scar.
Suffering from a cold sore?
When you notice that you are getting a cold sore (your lips burn slightly or you feel a tingling sensation in your lips) you can use ointment. When you subsequently get sores and you are sure that it is a cold sore, zinc ointment is useful. Use a little ointment that you put on your sores and then wash your hands. Do not sit with your hands in the jar or by the tube of the zinc ointment if you have just put ointment on your sores, a cold sore is very contagious.
