PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid)

Despite its complicated-sounding name, Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid, or PCA for short, is an agent that naturally occurs in the skin. It is one of the major constituents of the skin's NMF, or Natural Moisturizing Factor, a substance which plays an important role in maintaining the hydrated state of the skin. PCA comprises roughly 12% of the makeup of NMF, making it the second most abundant ingredient within the said skin constituent, thereby helping the skin retain water to keep it hydrated and soft with excellent health.
PCA in skincare is valued for its moisturizing power. In as much as the ingredient helps the skin to retain water, skin softness, which is integral to skin elasticity, is facilitated by the active principle. This being a natural mode of hydration, PCA is commonly used in moisturizer and other skin care formulations to ensure adequate skin hydration.