Mineral
Zinc (as Zinc Oxide)
Also known as: zinc oxide, ZnO, calamine
Zinc oxide is an inorganic zinc form used in supplements for immune function and wound healing, though it has poor oral bioavailability and is primarily used topically. Oral zinc oxide is not an ideal form for systemic supplementation.
Last reviewed June 2026 · Evidence graded from peer-reviewed research, not editorial opinion. Educational only — not medical advice.
Every Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) product we have scored
| # | Product | Score | Per serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thorne Zinc Bisglycinate 30 mg | 96 A | $0.33 |
| 2 | Thorne Zinc Picolinate 30 mg | 96 A | $0.68 |
| 3 | Pure Encapsulations Zinc Liquid 15 mg | 93 A | $1.45 |
| 4 | Thorne Zinc Bisglycinate 15 mg | 91 A | $0.25 |
| 5 | Pure Encapsulations CogniPhos | 91 A | $1.25 |
| 6 | Pure Encapsulations UltraZin Zinc | 91 A | $0.23 |
| 7 | Pure Encapsulations Zinc 30 | 91 A | $0.23 |
| 8 | Pure Encapsulations Zinc 15 | 91 A | $0.32 |
| 9 | Pure Encapsulations Zinc (citrate) | 91 A | $0.21 |
| 10 | Solgar Zinc Picolinate | 91 A | $0.09 |
| 11 | Pure Encapsulations Zinc chewables | 91 A | $0.20 |
| 12 | Nutricost Calcium + Magnesium + Zinc Citrates with Vitamin D3 Powder | 90 A | $0.32 |
Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing. Per-serving cost is list price divided by servings per container. No brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Common questions
How much Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) should I take?
The typical range is 8-11 mg daily (adult RDA); oxide form requires higher doses for equivalent absorption. long-term supplementation acceptable at RDA levels; acute high-dose therapy for specific conditions should be time-limited
When should I take Zinc (as Zinc Oxide)?
take 1-2 hours before or after meals for better absorption. avoid taking with food, phytates, or calcium which reduce absorption.
Which form of Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) is best?
tablet. Other forms in the catalog: capsule, topical cream/ointment.
Is Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) safe?
Commonly reported: nausea, copper deficiency (with chronic high-dose use), metallic taste, headache.
Which Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) supplement scores highest?
Thorne Zinc Bisglycinate 30 mg, at 96/100. Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing — no brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Daily target & upper limit
11 mg / day · UL 40 mgZinc (as Zinc Oxide) has an established daily reference intake. See best forms, label synonyms, upper-limit warnings, and top-scoring supplements:
Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) dosage reference →Primary uses
- immune function
- wound healing
- protein synthesis
- cell division
How it works
- cofactor for ~100+ zinc-dependent enzymes
- essential for immune cell development and function
- supports DNA synthesis
- structural component of zinc fingers (transcription factors)
Dosage
- Typical range
- 8-11 mg daily (adult RDA); oxide form requires higher doses for equivalent absorption
- Timing
- take 1-2 hours before or after meals for better absorption
- With food
- avoid taking with food, phytates, or calcium which reduce absorption
- Duration
- long-term supplementation acceptable at RDA levels; acute high-dose therapy for specific conditions should be time-limited
- Special populations
- pregnant/nursing women: 11-13 mg daily; children: 5-11 mg daily (age-dependent); elderly at higher risk of deficiency
Forms
- tablet· 70/100
- capsule· 70/100
- topical cream/ointment· 70/100
Safety
Common side effects
- nausea
- copper deficiency (with chronic high-dose use)
- metallic taste
- headache
Contraindications
- copper deficiency
- aceruloplasminemia
- Wilson's disease (relative)
Products containing Zinc (as Zinc Oxide)
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Evidence notes
Zinc's immune and wound-healing roles are well-established; however, oxide form has very poor oral bioavailability (~5-10%), limiting effectiveness as oral supplement.
Grade B: Some human trials support key claims; further confirmation needed.
Related in Mineral
Check a full stack
Formulate's free interaction checker lets you paste in any combination of supplements and medications at once — every pairing flags severity, timing, and cited evidence.
Open the checkerWhere does Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) fit in your stack?
Answer two questions and get a stack graded on research — every ingredient scored on the evidence behind it, not the marketing.
Build my stack2 questions · free · no account needed to start
Also on iPhone — get the free app
Evidence-based supplement guides, no spam
We send a short digest when new guides drop — nothing else. No affiliate pushes, no sponsored content, unsubscribe anytime.
Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Individual needs and risks vary — consult a professional before starting, stopping, or combining supplements, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.