Ingredient glossary / Humectant
Sodium PCA
On the label: Sodium PCA · Humectant
What it is
The salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a major part of skin's natural moisturising factor; a strong humectant.
Humectants: Humectants draw water into the outer layer of skin from the air and the layers below; glycerin is the classic one.
In the research
4 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Novel design of pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid and sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine complex for targeted drug delivery to human stratum corneum · International journal of pharmaceutics, 2025
- Safety Assessment of PCA (2-Pyrrolidone-5-Carboxylic Acid) and Its Salts as Used in Cosmetics · International journal of toxicology, 2019
- A pilot study investigating the efficacy of botanical anti-inflammatory agents in an OTC eczema therapy · Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2016
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
2 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Made in the USA
Made in the USAOther humectants
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