Zinc Oxide Sunscreen?

[madasmama]

The zinc-oxide based sunscreen available at my local health food store is SO expensive, I was wondering if I could use the plain old zinc oxide that I use on DD as diaper rash creme as sunscreen, and how effective it would be. I checked out the label on the rash creme and it says it's only 15% zinc oxide. Would that be enough or would I have to find a higher percentage? Or should I just not risk it and stick with the expensive New Co zinc oxide sunscreen?
TIA!

[Taedareth]

It's my understanding that titanium dioxide is one of the best full-spectrum sunblocks available (better than zinc). You can get it in natural powder form from places like this: http://herbsofgrace.com/catalogR/index.php?cPath=73_75

[calebsmama03]

My SPF 30+ UV Naturals says 23% ZnO, so not sure wht 15% would give SPF wise?

ALso, TiO2 is NOT a purely physical blocker - it only blocks 30% of UV rays, and acts as a chemical absorber for the other 70% There are concerns about the nano forms of both ZnO and TiO2 but in my research it seems that zinc is by far the safer choice. I can't find my link offhand but search here or google "green guide, sunscreen" to find their articles on it.

FWIW, there is a UV Naturals co-op going on right now in the TP- ends in a day or so? It is still pricey BUT 7oz is around $18, vs 4oz for around $9-10 of the commercial popular stuff (Coppertone, Neutrogena). Looked at that way it isn't *as* bad. It will never be as cheap as "no-AD" or the other super cheap commercial stuff, but is a decent deal for awesome sunscreen, IMO. I got some in the first UVN co-op and love it. Non whitening, no scent, feels nice. All around nice stuff. I really recommend it!