I’ve noticed that my skin has been fairly clear over the last few weeks. This is important because I usually have horrible breakouts, especially just prior to that special time of the month that only women experience.

I’ve been doing some research on the benefits of zinc oxide in relation to skin health. This research started with poison ivy treatment. I think I may have my first case of contact dermatitis in response to poison ivy exposure. We’ll see. I don’t have the classic poison ivy rash, and the timing is a bit off in comparison to my last known exposure to poison ivy, so I will be doing a spot test when my current itchy spots clear.

Zinc taken orally is known to relieve acne. I did not know this. Topical zinc, especially zinc oxide, is beneficial to the skin and may also relieve acne. In fact, it is suspected to minimize acne scarring.

Tuesday, I decided to stop using Lidocaine–commonly known as hydrocortisone–in favor of Desitin. Mom first used Desitin for my diaper rash in the very early days of Di. Desitin was also the miracle drug of choice for bee and wasp stings as well as burns. To this day, Desitin resides in the Ursu medicine cabinet in the absence of any baby Ursu.

Desitin is working wonders for my itchy spots, so I decided to take a peek at the main ingredient. It is zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is the key ingredient in Calamine lotion. In fact, zinc oxide is mixed with a small amount of iron(III) oxide to make Calamine.

What do poison ivy, Desitin, and zinc oxide have to do with my clearer skin? Research. While doing my zinc oxide research, I discovered that insulin-controlling diets are said to help control acne. I’ve been on an insulin-controlling diet–The Zone. This is the same diet that has contributed to a 10-pound weight loss and my improved cycling performance. My Zone status has been somewhat stagnant since I got sick, but I’ve been doing alright throughout my diseased state. In addition, I am thinking about testing zinc oxide for acne control.