Zi
Zinc PCA
Zinc PCA
Zinc plus a hydrator, sold for oily and acne-prone skin. How much it cuts oil hasn’t been measured.
What it does
It combines zinc with sodium PCA, part of skin’s own moisture system that pulls in water. It’s common in serums and moisturizers sold for oily, combination and acne-prone skin. What it does to oil hasn’t been measured.
The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a humectant (helps hold in moisture).European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗
The evidence, graded
expert consensusNiacinamide and zinc are fine together, layered or in one bottle. In one study, 5% niacinamide on half the face for 12 weeks improved fine lines, dark spots, red blotchiness, dull tone and elasticity. The zinc source covers wound healing and inflammation. The two are often sold for oily skin, but neither source measured oil.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
Browse all 1238 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
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