EWG Safety Score
What Is Calcium PCA?
Calcium PCA is a mineral electrolyte. More specifically, it is the calcium salt of PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), which is a key component of skin’s natural moisturizing factor, or NMF. The NMF plays a role in keeping skin’s barrier healthy and intact.
Calcium plays a critical role in skin, influencing how new cells are formed and how they move from the lower layer (dermis) to the surface (epidermis). Within skin’s layers, calcium serves to orchestrate many aspects of maintenance and repair.
Topically, calcium PCA helps replenish skin’s barrier and works as a humectant to draw and hold moisture in skin’s uppermost layers.
In 2019, calcium PCA was deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Their report surveyed products containing between 0.01-0.2% calcium PCA.
Benefits for Your Skin
Clinical Evidence & References
- International Journal of Toxicology, 2019, pages 5S-11S
- https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/PRS683.pdf
- Annals of Dermatology, June 2018, pages 265-275
- Experimental Gerontology, August 2015, pages 59-65
- European Journal of Dermatology, November-December 2014, pages 650-661
- Yonsei Medical Journal, June 2006, pages 293-306
How widely it's used
Regulatory information
Standardised cosmetic-ingredient identifiers used by regulators.
Show identifiers
- INCI Name
- CALCIUM PCA
- EC Number
- 250-602-4
- Function
- Humectant, Skin Conditioning
From the Clinic
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