Have you seen the latest trend of applying diaper cream all over the face before bed!? “Face basting” is the latest viral overnight skincare hack where you apply a thick layer of zinc oxide cream to your face and neck as the last step before bed. It looks like a white mask, feels heavy, and it’s all over TikTok right now. At first I thought, how insane is this? But then, the more I read, the more I saw that there may be something worth trying here so let’s explore this trend below!
So first, why are people doing this to begin with!? Well, for three reasons, and they’re surprisingly legit. First, a thick layer physically blocks water from evaporating off skin overnight, so you wake up more hydrated. Second, zinc oxide is anti-inflammatory, so it calms redness and soothes irritation while you sleep. Third, the barrier traps whatever serums or actives you applied underneath, so they stay on the skin longer instead of evaporating. Dermatologists have backed zinc oxide’s soothing properties for decades, so the science here is solid, but there is one major problem left…
What the problem is?
Here’s what nobody’s talking about… all the products I saw recommended are literally diaper rash creams. That comes with two issues. Diaper creams run anywhere from 10-40% zinc oxide because they’re formulated for a baby’s bottom, not your face, and that high a concentration is what gives you that thick, pasty, all-white mask. On top of that, a lot of these creams are built on a base of silicones, petroleum (paraffin, mineral oil), BHA, or synthetic fragrance, exactly the kind of ingredients that trap bacteria under the skin or irritate the same redness you’re trying to calm. So, if you are going to do this trend, the product you use matters the most.
What to use instead?
Of course, as soon as I saw there was some data to support this trend, the first thing I had to do was find us an actually clean alternative to try, and I did exactly that. This Zinc Balm by Zizia Botanicals gets the percentage and the formula right. It’s 15% zinc oxide, the actual sweet spot for facial skin, built on a base of real plant oils and waxes (jojoba, squalane, sunflower seed wax) with zero silicones and zero petroleum. Bisabolol and allantoin do the real work of calming redness and supporting your skin barrier, and it’s rounded out with a soothing plant extract lineup: centella, licorice root, calendula, and chamomile. It’s fragrance-free too, so there’s nothing in there working against the calming effect you’re going for. I was shocked at how soft, calm, and glowy this made my skin!
How to use it?
Apply this as the very last step of your nighttime routine, after your serums and moisturizer, as a thin-to-medium layer over your whole face and neck. Leave it on overnight and rinse off in the morning. If you’re new to it, start with just your problem areas (like dry patches or a red spot) before going all-in on a full-face treatment, so you can see how your skin responds first!
Another HUGE part of this trend is proper removal. Zinc oxide is a mineral, so it’s not water-soluble, meaning water and a regular gel cleanser alone won’t fully break it down and lift it off the skin. Think of it like sunscreen removal. Mineral sunscreens (also zinc oxide) need an oil-based cleanser first to dissolve the mineral particles and any oils/waxes in the balm base, then a water-based cleanser second to actually wash everything away.
If you just rinse or use one gentle cleanser, you can leave a thin residue of zinc oxide and oils behind, which can also trap the exact bacteria and buildup you were trying to avoid overnight, especially since you were applying it as a thick barrier layer all night.
Proper Cleansing Removal
Step 1: Use an oil cleanser or cleansing balm first to break down the zinc oxide and plant oils/waxes in the balm. I like using the RMS Cleansing Balm.
Step 2: Use a gentle water-based cleanser second to wash away any leftover residue and reset your skin. I like using the RMS Cleansing Gel.
Not sure this is right for you? You can also always book a FREE Skin Care consult with our holistic Esthetician to discuss it first! Book your FREE consult here.
