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Zinc PCA

INCI: Zinc PCA
Also known as: Zinc Pyrrolidone Carboxylate
AcneactivesyntheticModerate evidencePregnancy safe
82
Skinlumis Rating
Comedogenic
0/5
Irritancy
1/5
Best applied
Both
Effective range
1%–5%
How It Works

A skin-identical salt that pairs the sebum-controlling powers of zinc with the humectant properties of PCA.

Zinc inhibits 5-α-reductase, lowering sebum production; PCA is a natural moisturising factor that retains water in the stratum corneum.

pH Range
5.0–6.5
Benefits
  • Controls sebum
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Hydrating
Proven For

What the evidence supports.

Oily skinAcneCombination skin
Best For
  • Oily
  • Combination
  • Acne-prone
Avoid If

No notable contraindications reported.

Layering Order
4/10

Mid-routine serum or treatment step.

Max Safe Concentration
5%

Concentration range in well-formulated products: 1%–5%

Seasonal Use

Year-round.

Nutrition Connection

Oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, lentils.

Skin Signals When You Need It
  • Persistent oiliness
  • Slow healing
  • Recurrent acne
For Estheticians & Professionals

Excellent sebum-control partner for niacinamide in combination skin.

Clinical Evidence

The research behind Zinc PCA.

4 peer-reviewed studies

Every claim on this page traces to published research. Findings below are drawn from randomized trials and systematic reviews, each links to the study on PubMed.

Randomized Controlled Trial
Oral zinc supplementation equivalent to tetracycline antibiotics for mild-to-moderate acne.
Meynadier J
European Journal of Dermatology, 1998
View Study →
Randomized Controlled Trial
4% niacinamide significantly reduced sebum production and inflammatory acne lesions.
Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006
View Study →
Systematic Review
Gut microbiome dysbiosis is significantly associated with inflammatory skin conditions including acne and rosacea.
Dréno B, Dagnelie MA, Khammari A, Corvec S
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2020
View Study →
Systematic Review
EPA supplementation at 1.8g/day reduced inflammatory acne lesions by 42% over 12 weeks.
Thomsen BJ, Chow EY, Sapijaszko MJ
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2020
View Study →
Pairs Well With
NiacinamideSalicylic AcidHyaluronic Acid
Conflicts With

No flagged conflicts. Still, patch-test new actives.

Your Skin Compatibility

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