Sodium PCA in skincare
The sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, related to the skin's natural moisturising factors.
What is Sodium PCA?
The sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, related to the skin's natural moisturising factors. On the ingredient list, you can find the name Sodium PCA. The dictionary uses both the common name and the INCI name, so you can compare the explanation with the packaging.
What does Sodium PCA do for skin and the product?
Helps retain water in the skin's stratum corneum.
Humectants work with water in the skin's stratum corneum. They are often combined with lipids that make the surface supple and limit moisture loss. These are different tasks within the same moisturising care.
A water-soluble substance typically included in water-containing products.
How to read the ingredient list
Look at the product's purpose and overall composition. Position on the list does not tell you the exact concentration used or how your skin will react. One substance can serve several purposes in the same product.
Questions about Sodium PCA
What does Sodium PCA do in skincare?
Helps retain water in the skin's stratum corneum.
What should I know about Sodium PCA?
A water-soluble substance typically included in water-containing products.
Related ingredients
About sources and ingredient names
The European Commission's CosIng database is a reference for cosmetic ingredient names and functions. An entry does not constitute approval of all uses or evidence of a particular product effect.
DermNet: functions of moisturising care · DermNet: cosmetic formulations