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?

Humectant: The reason we're particularly interested in sodium PCA is because it's a humectant. This means that, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, this ingredient draws in moisture, providing a boost of hydration to the skin. Sodium PCA has been shown to be effective at retaining moisture, though it doesn't quite hold as much water weight as hyaluronic acid (known for holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water) — it does, however, have some other key benefits that HA doesn't.

Anti-Inflammatory: One such benefit? Sodium PCA is also an anti-inflammatory. It can help reduce inflammation, which in turn helps calm redness. It's also a non-irritant, which makes it ideal for people with sensitive skin.

Bolsters Skin Barrier: In the process of drawing in moisture, sodium PCA also helps skin retain water better by supporting its natural protective barrier. This barrier function is incredibly important for anyone managing a skin condition that compromises the barrier.

Supports Ageing Skin: Sodium PCA is found naturally in the skin, but the amount your body produces decreases with age. Supplementing with skincare products containing sodium PCA can help support a plumper, more hydrated complexion over time.

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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