Calamine Powder is a mixture of zinc oxide (ZnO) with about 0.5% iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3). It is the main ingredient in calamine lotion and is used as an antipruritic (anti-itching agent) to treat mild pruritic conditions such as sunburn, eczema, rashes, poison ivy, chickenpox, and insect bites and stings.
It is also used as a mild antiseptic to prevent infections that can be caused by scratching the affected area, and an astringent to dry weeping or oozing blisters and acne abscess. In a September 2, 2008 document the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended applying topical OTC skin protectants, such as calamine, to relieve the itch caused by poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Calamine has been found to be effective in treating acne and poison ivy.
Properties used customarily for its soothing and healing properties.
INCI: Zinc Oxide; Ferric Oxide
Purity: Mixture of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) with about 0.5% iron(lll) oxide (Fe2O3)
Physical Form: Pink Powder
Melting Point: N/A
Applications: Any Topical Product with an Emulsion Phase or Pil Phase
Usage Rate: Up to the Discretion of the Formulator
Shelf Life and Storage Information for Our Products and Ingredients
Finished Products - generally don't need to be refrigerated as they are preserved, but you can refrigerate them to extend their shelf life. The shelf life for most products is 9-12 months. Vitamin C Serum(s) and VitaResurface products should continually be refrigerated to extend their shelf life. Sample Sizes - do have a shorter shelf life (generally 3-6 months), and items in jars can dry up quicker than this if the lid is not tightened well enough (Vitamin C Serums - use within 90 days).
Please keep your products out of humidity, heat, direct light and in a dark cabinet when possible
Exfoliating Acid - products have a shelf life of 9-12 months. The only things we don't suggest refrigerating are the Mandelic Acid Serums or Salicylic Acid Serums, as they can crystallize in the refrigerator. If this happens, you can set the product into a hot water bath to see if the crystals will dissolve.
Additional Items That Require Refrigeration and/or Kept in the Dark
Hydrosols and Distillates - remove 1 ounce of hydrosol and add it into a separate,sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator. Carrier and Exotic Oils - generally, you can refrigerate all carrier oils, although some very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take it out, warm it up at room temperature and it should liquefy. If not, set the bottle in a hot water bath and occasionally shake the bottle, which will hopefully turn into a liquid. There are some oils with a super long shelf life, like Coconut Cream and Jojoba Oil.
Refrigeration of the following ingredients is not necessary, but it won't hurt
Essential Oils - essential oils are best stored in a cool, dark place. Co2 Extracts - these should continually be refrigerated. Butters - we suggest refrigerating our "skincare" butters. You can remove what you need and keep the rest in the fridge. Clays - keep in a dry, dark place. Shelf life is at least 2 years. Herbs - all herbs (whole or ground) should be kept in a dark, cool and dry location. Herbal (liquid) Extracts - these are created using grain alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents (properties) from each herb - root, trunk, leaves, and flowers. They have a shelf life of 3-5 years. They can be stored in the refrigerator or a dark, dry place. Other Raw Ingredients - i.e., Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc. will all have a different shelf life.
