Sodium PCA
Sodium PCA
Sodium PCA: the ingredient you’ve probably never heard of but might want in your skincare routine. Think of Sodium PCA as a humectant alongside squalane, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
Known for its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, it's a genuinely useful ingredient. Check out all there is to know about Sodium PCA below.
What is Sodium PCA?
Sodium PCA (the latter of which stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) is the salt form of PCA, sometimes called proline or pyroglutamic acid. Think of it as an amino acid.
Found naturally in the skin, sodium PCA makes up around 12 percent of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF for short). The NMF is what's responsible for keeping your skin soft, supple, and intact.
What are the Benefits of Sodium PCA?
How to Use Sodium PCA
Sodium PCA is a gentle, versatile ingredient suited to most skin types, and shows up across a wide variety of product formats, from moisturisers and sprays to serums and tonics. Pro tip: apply the product onto slightly damp skin, which gives the ingredient something to grab onto, resulting in an even greater boost of hydration. One final note: sometimes the ingredient goes by other names on product labels, so keep an eye out for sodium pidolate, 5-Oxo-DL-proline, sodium pyroglutamate, or monosodium salt.
You'll find Sodium PCA in our Calming Collagen Serum and AHA/BHA Resurfacing Serum, both formulated to hydrate and calm without compromising your barrier.
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