Zinc oxide is not a naturally-occurring element, but rather a result of chemically-heated zinc ore. The ore is processed with oxygen molecules until the substance is vaporized, condensed, and finally appears as a fine, white, crystallized powder. Only in this oxidized form it can be combined with base creams and other formulations to create skin care products used today.

Zinc oxide is made from zinc, a type of metallic element found in nature and also now used in many different electronic, chemical and household products.Zinc oxide first made an appearance in commercial beauty or skincare products during the 1940s.