Excellent Active Ingredient Dermal Penetration

Zinc PCA

INCI: ZINC PCA

CAS Number
15454-75-8
Function
Sebum regulator; antimicrobial; astringent; humectant (PCA moiety); keratinocyte-supporting trace mineral; cofactor for superoxide dismutase and matrix metalloproteinases; acne-control active
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
EU Max Conc. 0.5โ€“2%
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes No FDA restriction; used in OTC acne aids as zinc source; not subject to sunscreen monograph.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Dermal Penetration Profile

Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Zinc PCA, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.

Absorption %
1-4%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
327.7 Da
Log P
-2.8
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.5-2%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Vehicle Dependent
Yes โ€” absorption varies by formulation

Source: Int J Cosmet Sci 2012

Expert Verdict

Excellent multifunctional active for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin that targets sebum regulation, provides mild antimicrobial action, and contributes to keratinocyte health via zinc bioavailability with no safety concerns at typical use concentrations.

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Concern Level: None

Regulatory Flags

sebum-regulator acne-control antimicrobial nmf-component trace-mineral keratinocyte-support

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zinc PCA safe in cosmetics?

Excellent multifunctional active for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin that targets sebum regulation, provides mild antimicrobial action, and contributes to keratinocyte health via zinc bioavailability with no safety concerns at typical use concentrations. The EU classifies Zinc PCA as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Is Zinc PCA allowed in the EU?

Zinc PCA EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.5โ€“2%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Zinc PCA do in cosmetics?

Zinc PCA functions as: Sebum regulator; antimicrobial; astringent; humectant (PCA moiety); keratinocyte-supporting trace mineral; cofactor for superoxide dismutase and matrix metalloproteinases; acne-control active. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 15454-75-8.

What is the Margin of Safety for Zinc PCA?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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