Calamine lotion is just as good for soothing itchy skin as it is for drying up pimples. Yes, you read that correctly – calamine clears up acne. Just ask stars like Stella Maxwell and Lili Reinhart. Of course, they are using a type called “drying lotion” which you can learn about in the reviews below.
In the meantime, which are the best calamine lotions? How do you use them? And are there calamine lotion side effects? First, let’s talk about this magical pink stuff.
What is calamine lotion and what does it do?
Calamine is a blend of zinc oxide and iron oxide. The first ingredient is the same mineral found in sunscreen and diaper rash treatment. It soothes the skin and stimulates healing (1).
Meanwhile, iron or ferric oxide calms itchy skin. Together, both components cool down inflammation, reduce redness, and dry up weeping rashes. That’s why calamine lotion is an excellent treatment for poison ivy and bug bites.
This ability to reduce irritation and dry out the skin is also what shrinks pimples. Although calamine lotion doesn’t kill acne bacteria or unclog pores, its cousin – drying lotion – does all that with the help of a few extra ingredients. (More on that in a minute).
Calamine lotion side effects
Most people won’t have any trouble using calamine lotion over small areas. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to check the label and/or do a patch test if you have sensitive skin. Also, be aware that some calamine lotion brands are phenolated. If that concerns you, you can learn more in the calamine lotion reviews below.
How to use calamine lotion for rashy skin
To get the most from calamine lotion, you need to understand what’s causing the problem. Is it poison oak or sumac, a bee sting or mosquito bite, or a rash from new laundry detergent?
Try cleansing the skin and applying fragrance-free moisturizer. If that doesn’t calm down the itchy spot, calamine lotion might be just what the doctor ordered.
On clean, dry skin, use a cotton swab to dab on the lotion. Don’t massage it into the skin. Let it air dry. The irritation should start to calm down within a few minutes and improve over the next couple of days. Keep applying the calamine every few hours.
However, it’s time to see a doctor if things get worse or don’t improve after a few days. If you develop a fever, have shortness of breath or vomiting, or the skin is swollen and hot, get medical treatment as soon as possible (2).
How to use calamine lotion for acne
Since calamine lotion contains zinc, it’s an excellent spot treatment for acne. At bedtime, use a cotton swab to coat the pimple without massaging the lotion into the skin. By morning, the pimple should have reduced in size and redness.
For even more astonishing results, use a drying lotion with calamine like the ones in the reviews below.
| The best calamine lotions | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Swan Calamine Lotion |
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| HUMCO Calamine Lotion |
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| Mario Badescu Drying Lotion |
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| Glossiva Drying Lotion |
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| First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Calamine Pore Purging Mask |
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| Lacto Calamine Skin Balance Face Lotion |
|
| MAKEPREM UV defense me. Calamine Calming Sun Cream Sunblock Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ |
|
Best Calamine Lotions in 2024
Swan Calamine Lotion
Pros:
- Affordable and made in the USA
- Only six ingredients with no parabens, alcohol, dyes, or artificial fragrance
- Can be applied as often as needed
- Calms itchy skin and may reduce acne
Cons:
- Remember to shake the bottle before applying the lotion
HUMCO Calamine Lotion, Phenolated
3).
If it gives you the bad kind of goosebumps thinking about your calamine being phenolated, we hear you. But please remember that calamine lotion is supposed to be a short-term treatment over a small area of skin. We applaud this calamine lotion brand for being upfront about its manufacturing process. After all, it’s an American pharmaceutical company that was founded over a century and a half ago. By now, they should know their stuff. Moreover, the active ingredients are the same as those found in the Swan lotion.
Pros:
- Paraben-free, with no artificial color or fragrance
- Made in the USA by a pharmaceutical brand founded in 1872
- Can be used as often as needed
Cons:
- Phenolated (read the review to learn more)
- Needs to be shaken before use
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
This is the famous drying lotion used by the stars. It combines calamine lotion with other anti-acne ingredients like sulfur and salicylic acid. The sulfur is antibacterial and salicylic acid is an exfoliant that opens clogged pores and reduces inflammation.
By the way, it also has isopropyl alcohol and camphor so it gives the skin a cooling sensation. Apply it at bedtime and dry up zits overnight. No wonder it’s an award-winning spot treatment for acne.
But take note – don’t shake the drying lotion like you would regular calamine lotion. Stick a cotton swab into the bottle without stirring and pull the swab straight out. If you mix the ingredients by shaking or stirring, you won’t get the fantastic results you were hoping for. Don’t worry, it should look like you’re dotting pink clay on your face.
Pros:
- Calamine lotion with sulfur and salicylic acid to eliminate pimples overnight
- Award-winning spot treatment recommended by actors and supermodels
- Pleasant cooling sensation
Cons:
- Don’t shake or stir (if you forget, let the bottle stand untouched until the next day)
- Expensive
Glossiva Drying Lotion
Pros:
- Features calamine, camphor, salicylic acid, and sulfur
- Shrinks pimples overnight, gets rid of pustules, whiteheads, and red bumps
- Feels cooling to the skin
- Affordable
Cons:
- Don’t shake or stir before use
- Contains talc
First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Calamine Pore Purging Mask
sensitive skin, and packaged in recyclable material.
Moreover, this particular calamine lotion mask had spectacular results in a consumer study. 100% of the participants said that it reduced oiliness. Ninety-six percent were pleased that their pores were tighter and ninety-five percent liked how it left their skin renewed and smooth.
What’s the magic inside? The detoxifying formula soaks up impurities with bentonite and kaolin clay. At the same time, tea tree oil eliminates bacteria while salicylic acid clears out pores. As you can see, this is not just straight calamine lotion, but much much more.
Pros:
- Pore-purifying clay mask with calamine, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil
- Dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin
- Participants in a consumer study had very positive results
- Vegan and free from parabens, fragrances, formaldehyde, talc, etc.
Cons:
- Not pure calamine lotion so it’s not ideal for managing a rash
Lacto Calamine Skin Balance Face Lotion
astringent for oily skin. But don’t forget the zinc carbonate and zinc oxide, too. They absorb the excess oil for up to eight hours and help keep the complexion clear.
In summary, there are two versions of this lotion: one is for oily and the other for combination skin. Both should be applied with a two-minute massage for maximum benefits.
Pros:
- Balances oil production to reduce shine for up to eight hours
- Available in two versions: for combination or oily skin
- Features witch hazel, zinc oxide, and kaolin to keep pores clear
Cons:
- Takes a little time to apply properly – remember to shake the bottle first
MAKEPREM UV defense me. Calamine Calming Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++
Pros:
- Soothing calamine cream sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection
- Non-nano mineral protection free of harsh ingredients
- Moisturizes without making the skin greasy
Cons:
- Tough to remove without cleansing oil
Conclusion
We hope these reviews helped you find the best calamine lotion and more today. There’s no need to put up with itchy skin or blemishes when there’s such a simple solution available.
If the calamine product you chose is working wonders for you, we’d love to hear about it. Feel free to leave us a comment below.
Sources:
1. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2014/709152/ Mrinal Gupta, Vikram K. Mahajan, Karaninder S. Mehta, Pushpinder S. Chauhan, “Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review”, Dermatology Research and Practice, vol. 2014, Article ID 709152, 11 pages, 2014
2. https://www.consumerreports.org/medical-conditions/right-products-to-stop-itchy-skin/ Pick the Right Products to Stop Itchy Skin by Sari Harrar, last updated: June 13, 2021
3. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_phenol_used_for/article.htm What Is Phenol Used For? Medical Author: Karthik Kumar, MBBS Medical Reviewer: Pallavi Suyog Uttekar, MD, Medically Reviewed on 11/24/2020