Zinc PCA
Zinc PCA
- Role
- The zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, used to moisturize and condition the skin.
- Catalog formulas
- 3
- Type
- Skin care
- Verified
- 06.11.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
According to CosIng, Zinc PCA is the zinc salt of 5-oxoproline (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid). Its functions are humectant and skin conditioning.
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
In deodorants and antiperspirants it belongs to the skin care part of the formula. It is not an antiperspirant active and does not reduce sweating.
As a water-soluble zinc salt, Zinc PCA falls under entry 24 of Annex III of EU Regulation 1223/2009: in most cosmetic products it is limited to 1% calculated as zinc.
It is generally well tolerated; on damaged skin, a reaction to the finished formula is possible.
Zinc PCA is not the same as Zinc Ricinoleate or Zinc Oxide: they are different zinc compounds with different roles in a formula.
Products containing Zinc PCA
Links are based on the complete published INCI list for the exact product version.
Sources
The conclusions apply to the stated conditions and jurisdictions, not automatically to every concentration or product.
- EU CosIng: Zinc PCA Supports: function, substance identity, restrictions
- EU Regulation 1223/2009, Annex III, entry 24 Supports: restrictions