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Sodium PCA salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) or pyroglutamic acid.
Sodium PCA occurs naturally in all living cells in the outer layers of the skin.
Sodium PCA is naturally formed by the breakdown of protein filaggrin in the outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum).
CAS Number: 28874-51-3
Molecular Formula: C5H6NNaO3
Molecular Weight: 151.1
EINECS Number: 249-277-1
Synonyms: Sodium PCA, Sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate, PCA Soda, Nalidone, Sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate, Ajidew N-50, DL-Sodium pyroglutamate, Sodium DL-pyroglutamate, Monosodium 5-oxoproline, sodium dl-pyrrolidonecarboxylate, 5-Oxo-DL-proline, monosodium salt, DL-Proline, 5-oxo-, monosodium salt, 469OTG57A2, DL-SODIUM PIDOLATE, EINECS 259-234-9, Proline, 5-oxo-, sodium salt (1:1), PIDOLATE SODIUM, DL-, DTXSID20885432, SODIUM DL-PYROGLUTAMATE [WHO-DD], SODIUM PYRROLIDONE CARBOXYLATE [II], SODIUM PYRROLIDONE CARBOXYLATE [VANDF], PYRROLIDONE CARBOXYLIC ACID, SODIUM SALT, SODIUM PYRROLIDONE CARBOXYLATE (II), Na PCA, SODIUM PCA [INCI], DTXCID301024812, RefChem:887847, 54571-67-4, sodium 5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate, sodium;5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate, sodium 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate, C5H6NNaO3, MFCD00066984, Sodium 5-oxo-L-prolinate, Proline, 5-oxo-, monosodium salt, UNII-469OTG57A2, 2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, sodium salt, SCHEMBL66285, BCP11962, sodium5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate, AKOS016010363, s10166, AS-65747, DB-052609, CS-0112985, NS00078265, Q27258924, 5-Oxo-L-proline monosodium salt, Sodium pyroglutamate, L-PCA-NA, Sodium PCA, sodium (2S)-5-oxo-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate;5-Oxo-L-proline monosodium salt;l-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid sodium salt;L-PCA-NA;Sodium PCA;sodium l-pyroglutamate;sodium 5-oxo-L-prolinate;Sodium Pyrrolidone Carboxylate
Sodium PCA is a staple ingredient in many skin care and cosmetic products as it does wonders for the skin.
Sodium PCA is a natural ingredient that looks like salt. Sodium PCA is a humectant that draws moisture to the other layers of the surface and helps the skin and hair retain moisture, resulting in a youthful appearance.
The full form of Sodium PCA is sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid.
Sodium PCA is obtained on a larger scale from proline by fermenting sugar and starches.
Sodium PCA is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a neutral pH range.
Sodium PCA is a sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid which is an uncommon amino acid found naturally in many proteins.
GMO-free, gluten-free, occurs naturally in human skin and is responsible for binding moisture to the cells.
Highly water-absorbent, holding several time its weight in water, which makes it an excellent humectant.
Well-know as skin-penetration enhancer, stronger hydrating agent than the traditional compounds like glycerin or propylene glycol.
Sodium PCA is a simple ingredient with great moisture-binding capacity.
The reason behind that is It is hygroscopic i.e. attracts and retains water in the cells.
So, Sodium PCA keeps the skin hydrated. With other skin lipids, PCA, several small compounds like sugars and electrolytes form the natural moisturizing factor (NMF) of the skin.
When the skin becomes flaky and dry with the aging process, over-exposure to various cleansing products and harmful UV light, NaPCA replenishes the NMF factor and rapidly improves dryness of the skin.
A moisturized skin has great resistance to any damaging factors and helps skin recover faster.
For hair care, it enhances appearance, growth of healthy hair.
Sodium PCA is used in formulations of hair gels, creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, color cosmetics, and other skincare products.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid.
Sodium PCA is a cyclic lactam of glutamic acid that was discovered by Haitinger in 1882.
Sodium PCA occurs naturally in all living cells, including mammalian tissues.
In the human body, it is present in the stratum corneum layer of the skin as a part of the natural moisturizing factor or NMF.
Sodium PCA helps to maintain moisture levels in the skin, keeping it intact and supple.
Sodium PCA is a colorless to yellow-colored pale liquid that is soluble in water.
Sodium PCA increase the water content of the top layers of the skin by drawing moisture from the surrounding air.
They also enhance the appearance and feel of hair, by increasing hair body, suppleness, or sheen, or by improving the texture of hair that has been damaged physically or by chemical treatment.
Hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid are staples in many households when it comes to skincare.
Sodium PCA (also known as pyrrolidone carboxylic acid or proline), continues to receive the name recognition some of its fellow peers in the industry have garnered.
A humectant naturally found in the skin, sodium PCA makes up about 12% of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF).
While it can be synthetically produced, the amino acid derivative that appears as (you guessed it) salt, can also be extracted from sources such as coconut oil and various fruits.
As the industry continues to evolve, there has been more information regarding the effects of sodium PCA on the skin.
Sodium PCA is often considered to be more effective than other humectants at retaining moisture levels in the skin.
Sodium PCA is a water-soluble, amino acid–derived sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid that acts as a potent humectant and moisturizer, closely mimicking components of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor, and it is extensively used in cosmetic, personal care, and dermatological products to improve hydration, skin elasticity, and softness while being chemically stable, compatible with other ingredients, and generally non-irritating.
Melting point: 125 °C
Boiling point: 313.7 °C (at 101325 Pa)
Density: 1.45 g/cm³
Vapor pressure: 5.4 hPa at 20 °C
Storage temp.: Refrigerator
Solubility: Methanol (sparingly), Water
Form: Oil
pKa: 9.94 (at 20 °C)
Color: Clear colorless to pale yellow
Water solubility: 613 g/L at 20 °C
InChI: InChI=1/C5H7NO3.Na/c7-4-2-1-3(6-4)5(8)9;/h3H,1-2H2,(H,6,7)(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1/t3-;/s3
InChIKey: CRPCXAMJWCDHFM-OQFXAWDINA-M
SMILES: [C@@H]1(C([O-])=O)CCC(=O)N1.[Na+] |&1:0,r|
LogP: −2.387 (est)
Sodium PCA stands for Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid and though it might not sound like it, it is a thing that can be found naturally in our skin.
The sodium salt form of PCA is an important skin-identical ingredient and great natural moisturizer that helps the skin to hold onto water and stay nicely hydrated.
Sodium PCA, also known as sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate, sodium pyroglutamate, or 5-oxo-L-proline monosodium salt, is a naturally derived, water-soluble amino acid–derived compound that functions as the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), which is itself a derivative of the amino acid glutamic acid.
Chemically, it consists of a pyrrolidone ring bearing a carboxylate group, in which the negative charge of the carboxylate is balanced by a sodium ion, giving the compound its excellent solubility and stability in aqueous formulations.
In its solid form, sodium PCA typically appears as a white crystalline powder, while in solution it forms a clear, colorless liquid that is highly hygroscopic, meaning it readily attracts and retains water from its environment.
From a functional perspective, sodium PCA is widely recognized for its powerful humectant properties, meaning it has the ability to bind and retain water molecules, which makes it extremely valuable in cosmetic, personal care, and dermatological formulations.
In human skin, PCA is a key component of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF), which helps maintain hydration, elasticity, and barrier function, and supplementing with sodium PCA in topical formulations enhances the skin’s ability to retain moisture, prevent dryness, and improve overall smoothness and softness.
Sodium PCA is also chemically stable over a wide pH range, compatible with other cosmetic ingredients, and generally non-irritating to skin and eyes at typical use concentrations, which contributes to its widespread inclusion in lotions, creams, serums, shampoos, conditioners, and facial masks.
Beyond skin care, it is sometimes used in hair care products to help maintain hair moisture, flexibility, and shine, and in pharmaceutical formulations as a stabilizing agent or moisture-retaining additive.
Its natural derivation from amino acids, combined with its strong water-binding capacity, makes sodium PCA particularly favored in products marketed as gentle, hydrating, or “bio-inspired”.
Uses:
Sodium PCA is a high-performance humectant given its moisture-binding ability.
Sodium PCA is a component of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor.
For cosmetic use, it is derived from amino acids.
Sodium PCA is considered a noncomedogenic, non-allergenic raw material recommended for dry, delicate, and sensitive skins.
Sodium PCA is primarily used in skin care products as a powerful humectant, which means it attracts and retains water molecules from the surrounding environment, thereby helping to maintain skin hydration, elasticity, and softness; it is a key ingredient in moisturizers, lotions, creams, facial serums, and masks, where it mimics the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF) to prevent dryness and improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin.
Its ability to bind water without leaving a greasy residue makes it especially valuable in formulations designed for sensitive or dry skin, and it is often included in products aimed at anti-aging, skin barrier repair, or soothing irritated skin, because it enhances water retention in the stratum corneum and helps maintain optimal skin function.
In hair care products, sodium PCA is used to improve hair hydration, flexibility, and manageability, and it helps maintain the natural moisture balance of both the hair shaft and scalp.
Sodium PCA is commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and leave-in treatments, where it helps prevent brittleness, reduces static, and increases the softness and shine of hair by attracting and holding water within the hair fibers.
Because it is derived from amino acids, it also contributes to strengthening and conditioning effects without introducing harsh chemicals that could irritate the scalp.
Sodium PCA is sometimes used in pharmaceutical and dermatological formulations as a stabilizing agent or moisture-retaining additive, where it helps maintain hydration in topical creams, gels, or ointments.
Sodium PCA can be included in wound-healing formulations, anti-inflammatory creams, or medicated moisturizers, because its water-binding properties support skin repair and barrier function while providing a gentle, non-irritating environment for the active pharmaceutical ingredients to act effectively.
Beyond standard skin and hair care, sodium PCA is also incorporated in eye care solutions, lip balms, and other personal care products where hydration is critical, because it enhances comfort, smoothness, and moisture retention.
Its compatibility with a wide range of ingredients, stability across different pH levels, and non-irritating profile make it suitable for inclusion in formulations for sensitive skin, infant products, or hypoallergenic lines, where gentle but effective hydration is required.
Sodium PCA is widely used as a moisturizing and hydrating agent in skin care, hair care, and personal care products, where it acts as a potent humectant that attracts and retains water, mimicking the natural moisturizing factor of the skin; it also finds applications in dermatological and pharmaceutical products for barrier repair and wound healing, and its stability, amino acid derivation, and gentle profile make it suitable for sensitive skin formulations, anti-aging treatments, and products designed to improve skin and hair moisture, elasticity, and softness.
Sodium PCA, describing any toxicity, irritation potential, or environmental risks, in the same detailed style as your other chemical notes.
Safety Profile:
Sodium PCA is generally regarded as low-toxicity and safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products, because it is a naturally derived, water-soluble amino acid salt that is chemically stable and non-reactive under normal handling and formulation conditions.
Its acute toxicity is minimal, and it is considered safe when used at the concentrations commonly found in skincare, hair care, and dermatological formulations, which are typically less than a few percent of the total product.
Sodium PCA is non-irritating to skin and eyes for the vast majority of users; however, in rare cases of extremely high concentrations or direct contact with undiluted crystalline powder, it may cause mild irritation, redness, or itching, especially in individuals with highly sensitive skin.
It is not classified as corrosive or sensitizing, and adverse reactions are uncommon when used according to standard cosmetic or dermatological formulations.
In powdered form, sodium PCA can generate airborne dust, which, if inhaled in large quantities, might cause minor respiratory irritation, coughing, or sneezing, but such risks are minimal in commercial or consumer-use products because it is usually incorporated into aqueous solutions or emulsions that prevent dust formation.
Standard laboratory or industrial handling precautions, such as working in well-ventilated areas and wearing protective masks when handling the pure powder, are sufficient to mitigate inhalation hazards.
