Calamine lotion is a zinc-based antipruritic typically used to treat sunburn, eczema, rashes and insect bites and stings. It has a cooling and soothing effect offering symptomatic relief and is a mild antiseptic - helping to prevent infections that can be caused by scratching the affected area. Its active ingredient is zinc oxide with a small amount of ferric oxide, and other constituents include liquid paraffin, glyceryl monostearate, cetomacrogol, and phenoxy ethanol. Calamine lotion can also be used as an acne treatment to control redness and swelling.

See also

• Calamine, or hemimorphite, an ore of zinc.

Antiseptics