Ingredient decoder

Zinc PCA: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Zinc PCA

Acne verdict Acne helper

Helps acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Zinc salt that helps regulate oil and calm breakouts.

  • Anti-acne
  • Humectant
  • Skin conditioning

Zinc PCA in plain English

Zinc PCA combines zinc with PCA, a natural moisturizing factor found in skin. Zinc has mild antibacterial and calming effects and is often used to help control shine and oil. Evidence for topical zinc in acne is modest, and it works best as a supporting ingredient. It is gentle and suits oily, acne-prone skin.

Is zinc PCA bad for acne?

No. Zinc PCA is on the helpful side for acne-prone skin and is not known to clog pores. Our checker groups it with the anti-acne ingredients.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Zinc PCA
  • Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid
  • Zinc pidolate

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Frequently asked questions

Is zinc PCA comedogenic?

There is no published comedogenic rating for zinc PCA, and it is not known to clog pores. It is used in products made for acne-prone skin.

What does zinc PCA do in skincare?

In short: zinc salt that helps regulate oil and calm breakouts. In formulas it is used for humectant and skin conditioning.

What else is zinc PCA called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, zinc PCA can also appear as Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid or Zinc pidolate.

Sources