humectant
Sodium PCA
Generally safe·Strong evidence
Sodium PCA is a natural component of skin's own moisturizing factor and is used in cosmetics as a humectant to help skin hold onto water. It has an extensive history of safe use with no meaningful irritation or sensitization signal.
Questions
- What does sodium PCA do?
- Sodium PCA is a natural humectant that draws water into the skin. It's derived from amino acids and is part of the skin's natural moisture-binding system.
- Is sodium PCA safe?
- Published reviews show no safety concerns with sodium PCA in cosmetics. It's gentle and well-tolerated, including on sensitive skin.
Products with Sodium PCA
- 100Drunk ElephantProtini Polypeptide Cream
- 100CeraVeBaby Moisturizing Lotion
- 100Dr. Althea345 Relief Cream
- 100MujiSensitive Skin Toning Water (Light Moisture)
- 100MisshaTime Revolution The First Essence 5X
- 100AbibPDRN Collagen Overnight Mask Firming Jelly
- 100Peter Thomas RothWater Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
- 100MinonAmino Moist Moist Charge Lotion I
- 100AnuaPDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
- 100Summer FridaysJet Lag Deep Hydration Serum
- 99First Aid BeautyUltra Gentle Cream-to-Foam Face Cleanser
- 99First Aid BeautyUltra Repair Hydration Boost Serum
- 99MedicubeUltra Light PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- 99MixsoonPDRN Collagen Tinted Moisturizer
- 99Honest CompanyAdvanced Therapy Body Wash
- 99NARSNatural Radiant Longwear Foundation
- 99Gold BondAge Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion
- 98By HumankindLavender Shampoo
- 98Live TintedSUPERBRIGHT 15% Vitamin C Serum Stick
- 97Tubby ToddEveryday Lotion
- 97RovectinAqua Hyaluronic Essence
- 97Tubby ToddEveryday Lotion, Fragrance Free
- 97Paula's ChoiceOmega+ Complex Moisturizer
- 97TULA24-7 Ultra Hydration
- 97Angela CagliaCell Forté Eye Crème
- 97The CocoonRose Serum
- 97HersClear Waters Facial Cleanser
- 97Trader Joe'sNourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer
- 96Krave BeautyMatcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
- 96KraveMatcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
- 96Drunk ElephantB-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- 96Peter Thomas RothCucumber Gel Mask
- 96Tiege HanleyWASH
- 96Burt's BeesBaby Shampoo & Wash Foaming
- 96Estée LauderAdvanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt
- 96HimsHigh Tide Hydrating Daily Cleanser
- 96EucerinRoughness Relief Cream
- 96DieuxInstant Angel
- 95KinshipSupermello Hydrating Gel Cream Moisturizer
- 94IsntreeHyaluronic Acid Toner Plus
- 94The OrdinaryMulti-Peptide + HA Serum
- 94TIRTIRMilk Skin Toner
- 94The OrdinaryMulti-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%
- 94CeraVeItch Relief Moisturizing Lotion
- 93CeraVeHydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
- 93Pilgrim10% Vitamin C Face Serum
- 93Kiehl'sCreme de Corps Body Moisturizer
- 93CetaphilPro Eczema Prone Skin Restoring Body Wash
- 92IsntreeHyper Niacinamide 20 Serum
- 92Malin and GoetzGrapefruit Face Cleanser
- 92HonestShampoo + Body Wash, Fragrance Free
- 92Go-ToMuch Plumper Skin
- 92BaleaBeauty Expert Hydration Cream
- 89Kiehl'sCreamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
- 89The Honest CompanySensitive Shampoo + Body Wash
- 89Kiehl's Since 1851Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
- 89Lola CosmeticsRapunzel Máscara Fortificante
- 88BiodermaHydrabio Serum
- 88SkinfoodBlack Sugar Perfect Cleansing Oil
- 88Centellian24Madeca Cream Time Reverse
- 88VichyAqualia Thermal 48hr Rehydrating Fragrance-free Face Moisturizer
- 88SEPHORA COLLECTIONClean Skin Gel
- 87BubbleBounce Back Balancing Toner Mist
- 87Centellian24Expert Madeca Cream Active Renew PDRN
- 87CoverGirlClean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation
- 86Lab SeriesAll-In-One Defense Lotion Moisturizer SPF 35
- 86RedkenAll Soft Conditioner
- 85MedicubePDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- 85Dr. MoritaHyaluronic Acid Essence Mask
- 85Drunk ElephantT.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
- 85LOccitaneShea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream
- 85bareMineralsComplexion Rescue Natural Matte Tinted Moisturizer Mineral SPF 30
- 85Drunk ElephantProtini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum
- 84EucerinAdvanced Repair Body Lotion
- 84OlaplexNo. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
- 84BubbleAll Clear Anti-Breakout Cleanser
- 84TrulyHydra-Restore Body Lotion
- 84Dr Dennis GrossDermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
- 84EucerinAdvanced Repair Cream
- 83Living ProofFull Conditioner
- 83Rudolph CareFirming Perfector Serum
- 83DoveBody Lotion
- 82First Aid BeautyKP Smoothing + Brightening Body Lotion
- 82Maria NilaTrue Soft Conditioner
- 81EucerinRoughness Relief Lotion
- 80ProactivSolution Renewing Cleanser
- 80MoroccanoilBody Lotion Fragrance Originale
- 79NeutrogenaHydro Boost Hydrating Serum
- 79L'Oreal ParisVoluminous Original Waterproof Mascara
- 78MuradAHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
- 78DiviScalp Serum
- 78PCA SkinBPO 5% Cleanser
- 77Jack BlackPure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser
- 77Dr. Dennis GrossAlpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel
- 76WalgreensAcne Foaming Wash
- 75MuradEssential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA +++
- 75StriVectinHyaluronic Tripeptide Gel-Cream for Eyes
- 74Maria NilaTrue Soft Shampoo
- 73Cay SkinIsle Glow Face Moisturizer SPF 45
- 73The Purest SolutionsBrightening Serum Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid
- 73NatureLab TOKYOPerfect Clean 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub & Clarifying Shampoo
- 72Essence by Catherine HindsPurifying Pads with 2% Salicylic Acid
- 70ShiseidoBenefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
- 69FlexitolHeel Balm
- 67Glow RecipeWatermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment
- 66FreemanRenewing Cucumber Peel-Off Gel Mask
- 64La PrairieSkin Caviar Luxe Cream
- 63Bath and Body WorksWarm Vanilla Sugar
- 46NécessaireThe Body Exfoliator
- 33Pro SilkFace & Body Formulation Moisturizing Body Wash for Men
References
Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.