Zinc PCA (Zinc Pyrrolidone Carboxylate) is a cosmetic ingredient formed from zinc and PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid). Zinc PCA is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient combining zinc with PCA. It is particularly suitable for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin formulations. Zinc PCA helps control excess oil and shine, supports a balanced skin appearance, provides skin-conditioning benefits and is useful in facial serums, toners, moisturizers, scalp-care products, shampoos and deodorants.
INCI Name: Zinc PCA
CAS No.: 15454-75-8
Appearance: Almost white powder
Solubility: Water soluble
Function: Skin conditioning • Sebum-control support • Antimicrobial/deodorant support
Uses in Cosmetics
Oily & Acne-Prone Skin: Zinc PCA is particularly popular in formulations for oily and blemish-prone skin. It helps regulate the appearance of excess sebum and shine, making it useful in facial serums, toners and oil-control moisturizers.
Blemish-Care Products: Zinc provides antimicrobial activity that can help support formulations intended for blemish-prone skin. For cosmetic marketing, I would describe it as helping maintain cleaner, balanced-looking skin rather than claiming that it treats acne.
Pore & Shine-Control Products: By helping control excess surface oil, Zinc PCA is commonly incorporated into products designed to improve the appearance of oily skin and enlarged-looking pores.
Scalp & Hair Care: It is useful in oily-scalp shampoos, scalp serums and conditioners, particularly where excess sebum and scalp freshness are concerns.
Deodorant Products: Zinc PCA can also be incorporated into deodorizing formulations because zinc salts can help reduce odor-causing microbial activity.
Skin Conditioning & Hydration: The PCA component makes Zinc PCA particularly interesting because it combines zinc functionality with a component associated with the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF).
Typical Usage Rate
A practical starting range is generally 0.1–1.0% in finished cosmetics, subject to the supplier's recommended level and formulation testing.
Application Typical Starting Range
Facial serum 0.1–0.5%
Oily-skin toner 0.1–0.5%
Cream/lotion 0.1–0.5%
Blemish-care product 0.2–1.0%
Scalp serum 0.1–0.5%
Shampoo 0.1–0.5%
Deodorant 0.1–1.0%
How to Formulate
Zinc PCA is water soluble, so dissolve it in the water phase. For heat-sensitive formulations, adding it during the cool-down phase is a sensible approach.
For a 1 kg serum at 0.5%, you would use 5 g Zinc PCA.
