Snapshot
- Overview
- A natural moisture-binder that keeps skin feeling supple and dewy.
- Category
- Hydration, Barrier Support, Skin Conditioning, Sensitive Skin
- Type
- Humectant
Sodium PCA
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, one of skin's natural moisturizing factors. It's used as a humectant that binds water to boost surface hydration and comfort for a wide range of skin types.
Like this ingredient?
Our take
Is Sodium PCA a Good Ingredient?
It earns a Great rating as a well-studied natural moisturizing factor humectant that measurably increases skin hydration at low levels, with excellent water solubility and stability. It's typically low in irritation, which suits it to sensitive-leaning routines.
What it does
Skin Benefits
It helps skin feel supple and look dewy by drawing moisture into the outer layers, and can ease dryness-related tightness and support a calmer-feeling barrier, including on sensitive complexions.
Where you'll find it
Uses in Skincare & Cosmetics
It's frequently included in hydrating serums, toners, and moisturizers to boost daily hydration, and appears in sheet masks and mists for quick comfort between routines.
Before you use it
Safety
It carries generally low irritation risk; patch testing is prudent for very reactive skin or when layered with strong actives. No widely recognized cosmetic-use restrictions apply.
Products with Sodium PCA
