Zi
Zinc PCA
Zinc PCA
Zinc bound to NMF component. Sebum-regulating; common in oily-skin and acne-positioned formulations.
What it does
Zinc PCA combines zinc (which has documented sebum-regulating activity) with sodium PCA (a humectant from the skin's NMF). It's a common ingredient in serums and moisturizers positioned for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin. Effects on sebum production are gradual and modest — useful as part of a maintenance routine, not as a substitute for direct acne treatment.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusNiacinamide and zinc both reduce sebum production through different mechanisms. They're commonly combined in oily-skin and acne-adjacent products.Bissett 2005 · Dermatologic Surgery ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Pairs worth knowing
This page is public and indexed on purpose (unlike profiles and drops, which are unlisted) — it’s the citation behind shared ingredient cards, and it should be findable.
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