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
Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.