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Answer: Sodium PCA is not currently banned worldwide, but health agencies have flagged concerns. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: low. Commonly found in: Neutrogena Hydro Boost range, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, Paula's Choice Moisturizer formulas.
TL;DR: Sodium PCA is allowed in the EU but allowed in the US (humectant).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name SODIUM PCA. Also called NaPCA. CAS 28874-51-3.
Other names: Sodium L-Pyroglutamate, NaPCA
| EU status | Allowed |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | Neutrogena Hydro Boost range, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, Paula's Choice Moisturizer formulas |
| CAS number | 28874-51-3 |
Sodium PCA (sodium L-pyroglutamate) is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid, a naturally occurring component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). It is an exceptionally effective humectant with a higher water-binding capacity than glycerin.
Used to attract and retain moisture in the skin. As a component of natural skin NMF, it is highly biocompatible and particularly effective at skin hydration without occlusion.
Sodium PCA is one of the safest and most skin-compatible humectants available. It is endogenous to healthy skin and has no known adverse effects. The CIR has confirmed its safety. It is non-irritating, non-sensitizing, non-comedogenic, and safe for all skin types.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Sodium PCAwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Glycerin or hyaluronic acid for alternative humectant strategies.
It is identical to a component found naturally in healthy skin (Natural Moisturizing Factor). Cosmetic sodium PCA is synthesized but mirrors the body's own hydration molecules.
Both are excellent humectants. Sodium PCA has a smaller molecule and can penetrate slightly better; hyaluronic acid forms a stronger surface film. Many formulas combine both.
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