Choosing the Right Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Powder for Your Formulation Needs

Geoff Acton
Nov 19
3 min read

Updated: Nov 27

Summary

Non-nano Zinc oxide is one of the most trusted and effective UV filters in modern sunscreen and cosmetic formulation. Among the key formulation choices is whether to use coated or uncoated zinc oxide. While coated grades are engineered for specific emulsion systems, uncoated zinc oxide offers unique formulation benefits — particularly in clean-label, tinted, and naturally aligned products. When dispersed correctly, uncoated zinc oxide achieves excellent clarity, stability, and blendability without the need for synthetic surface treatments.

Understanding Uncoated Zinc Oxide

Uncoated zinc oxide powder maintains its mineral integrity, allowing formulators to work with a simpler and more predictable ingredient. Its surface readily interacts with natural emollients and dispersing agents, making it easier to achieve smooth, uniform textures without added treatment layers. This characteristic gives formulators greater control over viscosity, tone, and suspension — key factors in developing high-performing mineral sunscreens and tinted cosmetics.

Because it blends seamlessly with iron oxides and other mineral pigments, uncoated zinc oxide is particularly advantageous for tinted formulations, BB creams, and hybrid cosmetic-sunscreen products. It disperses evenly, supports a more natural skin-tone match, and avoids the muted or flat appearance sometimes seen in heavily processed mineral systems.

For brands focused on minimal ingredients, reef-safe positioning, and environmental transparency, uncoated zinc oxide aligns perfectly with consumer and regulatory expectations.

Formulation Benefits

When properly dispersed, uncoated zinc oxide can provide formulators with:

Superior tintability — easily integrates with iron oxides and colorants for consistent, even tones.
Simplified ingredient lists — avoids unnecessary additives, supporting clean-label and eco-certified claims.
Excellent optical clarity — delivers transparent coverage in lightweight emulsions and natural oil systems.
Stable suspension and consistency — remains evenly distributed across product batches with minimal settling.
High UV attenuation — retains full-spectrum protection efficacy while maintaining a natural mineral composition.

These advantages make uncoated zinc oxide the preferred option for formulators seeking both performance and purity.

Operational Advantages

Beyond aesthetic and compositional benefits, uncoated zinc oxide offers practical value during manufacturing. Because it disperses readily in common carrier systems such as medium-chain triglycerides, caprylic/capric triglyceride, and coco-caprylate, it reduces the need for extensive milling or pre-coating steps, simplifying the production process.

Uncoated dispersions also deliver shorter mixing times and more predictable rheology, helping formulators maintain consistency across pilot and full-scale batches. With fewer variables to manage, reproducibility improves — meaning products stay true to their SPF targets and aesthetic profile from one batch to the next.

This operational reliability not only enhances efficiency but also reduces waste and reprocessing, offering a measurable cost benefit for manufacturers seeking to streamline production without compromising quality.

Advance ZincTek’s Approach

At Advance ZincTek, all zinc oxide powders and dispersions are uncoated, non-nano, and manufactured under GMP conditions in Australia. This allows each formulation to maintain the mineral’s full UV performance while ensuring maximum compatibility with natural carrier systems.

Our uncoated dispersions are engineered for high transparency, consistency, and ease of tinting, enabling formulators to create reliable, broad-spectrum protection without sacrificing texture or aesthetic appeal.

Technical Summary (Evidence-Based Overview)

According to Suntribe Sunscreen’s 2023 Technical Overview, uncoated zinc oxide performs on par with or better than coated versions in key formulation metrics when dispersion quality is controlled, confirming that high performance does not depend on additional coatings.

Suntribe’s data shows that when zinc oxide is uniformly dispersed in a stable emulsion, uncoated grades deliver outstanding transparency, photostability, and broad-spectrum UV protection comparable to or exceeding coated alternatives. This supports the growing consensus that coating is not a requirement for functional performance — it is simply one formulation option.

The Takeaway

Uncoated zinc oxide provides formulators with a cleaner, more versatile, and more sustainable path to broad-spectrum UV protection. It is easier to tint, simpler to stabilise, and perfectly suited for natural and mineral-based cosmetic systems.

By focusing on high-quality dispersion rather than chemical surface treatment, brands can achieve premium aesthetic and protective results — backed by scientific validation, operational efficiency, and consumer trust.