AbstractIt is well‐known that zinc ions are widely used in cosmetic products. Their popularity is associated with the multifunctional profile of Zn2+, which is classified as an essential chemical element in the human body. This review examines numerous beneficial biological properties of zinc‐containing compounds and classifies the compounds used in cosmetic products according to their functionality profile: antioxidant, sunscreen, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐pigmentation, anti‐ageing, anti‐acne, antimicrobial, anti‐odour, cleansing or stabilizing activity. It also underlines the significance of zinc in enzymatic processes, which depends on the enzyme type acts as inhibitor or enzymatic stimulator. Moreover, the article describes the chemical nature of the most interesting groups of Zn compounds.