Ingredient Encyclopedia

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Ingredient Encyclopedia

Zinc PCA – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Zinc PCA (1$C_{12}H_{22}N_{2}O_{6}Zn$) is the zinc salt of L-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (L-PCA).2 In dermatological chemistry, it is classified as a sebo-regulator and a physio-sebostatic agent.3 Unlike traditional alcohol-based toners that strip oil from the surface, Zinc PCA works by inhibiting the enzyme 5$\alpha$-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—the primary hormonal signal that triggers sebum production in the sebaceous glands.4 Because the "PCA" part is a key component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), this molecule provides a unique "hydration-correction" effect: it reduces lipid output while simultaneously reinforcing the moisture-binding capacity of the stratum corneum.