Calamine lotion is commonly used to treat various skin problems. Calamine, which contains a mixture of zinc oxide and iron(III) oxide, makes an effective topical treatment for some skin disorders. It is available as a water-based lotion, oil-based lotion and water-based cream. Calamine lotion is usually pinkish-white in color and has a creamy consistency. Though it is sold under various brand names, it's primarily a generic drug available over-the-counter in many countries. It is a preparation which belongs to the anti-pruritics class of medicines. Now that you got an overview of what calamine lotion is, let us move on to know about its uses. Uses of Calamine Lotion Eczema Let me tell you that calamine lotion offers an effective remedy for eczema. Zinc oxide in this lotion has several properties, that makes it a perfect topical treatment for eczema. It is not water-soluble, absorbs moisture, and hence keeps your skin dry, which is why it is an effective cure for eczema. Apart from this, calamine has astringent and antiseptic properties which are particularly good for curing severe eczema. Acne If you want quick relief from acne, calamine lotion is the thing to opt for. It effectively clears off acne and even the severe form of acne, known as cystic acne. Calamine lotion when applied on acne (best before going to bed), helps soothe irritated and swollen skin. It is also known to be effective in treating blackheads, which is also a form of acne. Calamine lotion uses also include fading blemishes and dark spots. Contact Dermatitis Contact dermatitis, a skin condition that occurs when your skin comes in contact with an irritant or if you are allergic to a substance, can be treated with calamine lotion. This allergy causing substance can be just anything, from soaps and detergents to some plants as well. Calamine lotion uses include treatment of skin rash that you might get from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Regular application of the same soothes your skin and reduces itching. Apart from this, body rashes caused due to excessive sweating can also be treated with calamine lotion. Sunburn Sunburn often leads to itching and redness of skin. Both these problems are caused due to excessive exposure to sunrays. You will be surprised to know that calamine lotion also cures skin damage caused due to the harsh sunrays. Calamine has a cooling effect which makes it an effective treatment for this problem. It absorbs excess heat from the surface of your skin, leaves it cool and soothes itching and redness. Calamine cream absorbs UVA and UVB, and helps protect your skin from sunburn and suntan. Hence, it is a commonly used ingredient in many sunscreen products. Apart from these uses of calamine, it is also applied on minor burns. These were some prominent uses of calamine lotion. Apart from these, you can use it to cure boils and red spots. It can also be used to soothe rash and irritation caused due to mosquito bites and for treating diaper rash. It is best to consult a doctor before using it on children's skin, as it might cause allergic reaction on their skin.