Let’s talk about something that’s probably been sitting at the back of your bathroom cabinet since childhood: calamine lotion. You know the one - pale pink, a bit chalky, comes in a bottle that looks like it belongs in your nan’s medicine drawer. It’s been around forever, mostly used to soothe chickenpox or bug bites. But now that summer’s here and the heat is in full swing, it’s making a quiet little comeback in skincare circles. So let’s dive in — what’s the deal with calamine lotion, and is it actually worth slathering on when the temperature rises?
Calamine lotion is a mix of zinc oxide and a bit of iron oxide, which gives it that signature pink colour. It’s been used for decades as a skin soother - particularly for itching, heat rash, sunburn, and insect bites. It works by creating a cooling effect as it evaporates, calming irritated skin and helping to dry out any oozing or weeping (gross, but helpful if you’ve had a bad heat rash).
It’s not fancy. It doesn’t promise glowing, dewy skin or anti-ageing miracles. But it does one thing well: it calms. And when your skin feels like it’s baking under a humid summer sky, that’s often exactly what you need.
Why People Are Reaching For It in the Heat
Summer heat can bring on all sorts of skin issues — think prickly heat, sweat pimples, sunburn, and just general inflammation. Calamine lotion can feel like a godsend because it dries up excess moisture, reduces irritation, and leaves a powdery finish that stops your skin from sticking to itself.
If you’ve ever dealt with a heat rash (also known as miliaria), you know how miserable it can be. Sweat gets trapped in your skin, causing little red bumps that itch like mad. Calamine can help reduce the itching, calm the redness, and keep things dry enough to heal.
Some people even use it as a spot treatment for oily, acne-prone skin in the summer, thanks to its zinc content. There’s a bit of anecdotal hype around using calamine as a primer under makeup to keep oil at bay. It’s not what it was originally made for, but hey, people have used stranger things on their face.
The Not-So-Great Side
Here’s where we need to be honest. Calamine lotion isn’t for everyone, and it isn’t for everything.
If you’ve got dry or sensitive skin, calamine can actually make things worse. It works by drying out the skin, so if your skin is already on the thirsty side, it could leave you feeling flaky, tight, or irritated. Also, because it forms a bit of a barrier on the skin, it can be tricky to layer with other products, like moisturisers or SPF, unless you give it plenty of time to settle.
And let’s not ignore the texture. It’s chalky. It can leave a pinkish-white cast. It’s not exactly invisible under makeup unless you’re blending very carefully. This isn’t a big deal if you’re just chilling at home trying to soothe a rash, but it’s not ideal for an everyday skincare routine, especially if you’re headed out.
Some people might also develop irritation from prolonged use, especially if they’re slathering it on large areas. So if you’re thinking of using calamine as a daily summer skincare step, it’s worth doing a patch test or limiting it to a couple of days a week.
So... Should You Use It?
If you’re battling heat rash, bug bites, sunburn, or any kind of summer skin meltdown, calamine lotion absolutely has its place. It’s affordable, easy to find, and does a decent job of calming your skin without a complicated ingredient list. For short-term use, especially during those sweaty, sticky days, it can be a surprisingly effective tool.
But it’s not a miracle cure, and it doesn’t replace a proper skincare routine. Think of it as your skin’s emergency backup, the one you call on when things get a bit out of hand. If you’re going to use it regularly, balance it out with a good moisturiser, gentle cleansing, and, always, sunscreen. Summer skin needs protection just as much as it needs calming.
So yes, calamine lotion might not be the trendiest product on the shelf, but sometimes the old school stuff earns its spot in your routine. Just don’t forget to shake the bottle, it separates like no one’s business.
