Up to 85 percent of young adults and teenagers get pimples every year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research. The agency also reports that people suffering from acne spend upwards of $100 million each year, mainly on remedies available over-the-counter. Topical zinc ointment, available without a prescription, may help some cases of acne.
Causes
Teenagers and young adults suffer from pimples more often than children and older adults because of changes in their skin sparked by surging hormones, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These changes promote oil generation and the oil then clogs their pores and provides an inviting atmosphere in which bacteria can thrive. To eliminate pimples, you need to kill the bacteria and remove the clogs from your pores.
Function
Topical zinc ointment may work against acne because it functions as an antiseptic, potentially cleaning infection from your skin and helping to kill bacteria, according to the website Drugs.com. It may also have a drying effect on your skin, which may help to eliminate excess oil and also to prevent clogs from forming in your pores.
Use/Effects
Topical zinc ointment, when used on your face, forms a shiny white barrier, which is why it's also effective as a sun screen. Because of its appearance, you won't be able to use it under makeup and will probably want to limit use to the evening hours. To use it against your pimples, apply a layer directly to any affected areas of your skin. Although a very few people will exhibit allergic reactions to topical zinc ointment, it most likely won't irritate your skin or cause other side effects, according to Drugs.com.
Research
There's very little research indicating that topical zinc ointment can effectively treat acne. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that topical zinc ointment might effectively treat acne in combination with the topical antibiotic erythromycin. The university also notes that there's some evidence for taking zinc supplements to treat your acne, although again, there's very little research and no randomized controlled studies to support that theory.
Considerations
If you're looking for an over-the-counter remedy for your acne, products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid work well, especially for milder cases, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Other potentially effective ingredients in over-the-counter topical acne products include sulfur and retinol.
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