Beyond Sunscreen...

We all know by now that sunscreen is an essential part of our daily skincare routine. Rain or shine, it's there to protect and preserve. But even the best UV protectors have a time limit. Or do they?

A secret weapon has been amongst us hiding out. Warning... it may seem off the wall, but I assure you (backed by dermatoligists), it is safe an effective. Drumroll please... Diaper Rash Cream! It's packed with antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. With this in mind, diaper cream can be a useful acne spot treatment. Although it's not widely recommended to use all over your face New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner puts it in perspective: Acne and diaper rash are both types of irritation. "The skin barrier is disrupted, there is a loss of hydration, and the hair follicles are surrounded by inflammatory skin cells," he explains. In both cases, diaper cream helps repair the skin barrier and reduce inflammation. This is all thanks to zinc oxide."

I will cop to personally using this "treatment" for years. I make sue to buy organic, so that the barrier is physical and not chemical. It also avoids pore clogging ingredients like petroleum jelly. Personal favorites include Burts Bees, Hello, and Badger. Although cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski tells Allure that zinc oxide isn't approved by the FDA as a safe and effective ingredient for treating acne, it's still used in dermatology. "Dermatologists use zinc, both orally and topically, for a number of inflammatory skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, and even warts," explains Shari Marchbein, a dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.

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