At ORY®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about zinc PCA. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.
Please note: Zinc PCA is not zinc pyrithione and is not an FDA dandruff or acne drug ingredient. ORY® products with zinc PCA are cosmetics for oil control and a fresh feel.
How to read this page Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews. Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY® uses. Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly. |
1. General Description and Role
Claim: Zinc PCA is the zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), a natural moisturizing factor in skin. In ORY® products, it helps skin and scalp look less oily and feel balanced. |
Verification: Limited evidence. We did not find a Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) conclusion that covers zinc PCA; CIR’s PCA report covers PCA and its sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium salts, not zinc PCA.
Citations:
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
- What it shows: Review of zinc in dermatology.
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
2. Composition and Production
Claim: Zinc PCA is made by reacting L-pyroglutamic acid with zinc oxide, giving a water-soluble white powder that works at pH 4–7. |
Verification: Supported. It reacts with soap, carbomer, and phosphates.
Citations:
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
- What it shows: Zinc chemistry.
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
3. Skin Type Suitability
Claim: Zinc PCA suits oily and combination skin especially. |
Verification: Limited evidence. A review describes zinc’s roles in skin, largely from oral or medical use. We found no controlled trial of zinc PCA for oil control.
Citations:
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
- What it shows: Review.
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
4. Hair and Scalp Suitability
Claim: In haircare, zinc PCA helps the scalp feel fresh and look less oily. |
Verification: Limited evidence. Dandruff claims are drug claims, and zinc PCA is not an FDA dandruff ingredient.
Citations:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR Part 358, Subpart H — Drug products for the control of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-358/subpart-H
- What it shows: FDA dandruff rule.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR Part 358, Subpart H — Drug products for the control of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-358/subpart-H
5. Benefits
Claim: Zinc PCA helps skin look less shiny and feel balanced. |
Verification: Limited evidence. In a cell study, zinc PCA reduced a UV-induced collagen-breaking enzyme and increased collagen production in skin cells. Acne claims are drug claims; ORY® does not make them.
Citations:
- Takino, Y., Okura, F., Kitazawa, M., Iwasaki, K., & Tagami, H. (2012). Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 34(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00676.x
- What it shows: Cell study.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR Part 333, Subpart D — Topical acne drug products for over-the-counter human use. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-333/subpart-D
- What it shows: FDA acne rule.
- Takino, Y., Okura, F., Kitazawa, M., Iwasaki, K., & Tagami, H. (2012). Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 34(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00676.x
6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines
Claim: Zinc PCA is used in ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Cosmetics, and syndet and liquid cleansers. |
Verification: Supported. It forms insoluble zinc soaps in cold-process soap.
| Product line | Typical level | How ORY® uses it |
| Skincare | 0.1–1% | Oil-control serums, toners, and mattifying creams. |
| Haircare | 0.2–1% | Oily-scalp shampoos, conditioners, and tonics. |
| Handmade Soap line | 0.2–0.5% | Syndet bars and liquid cleansers (not cold-process bars). |
| Cosmetics | 0.1–0.5% | Mattifying primers, foundations, and setting sprays. |
Citations:
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
- What it shows: Zinc chemistry.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
- What it shows: FDA definition of soap; other bars are cosmetics.
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
7. Pros
Claim: A water-soluble zinc salt paired with a natural moisturizing factor. |
Verification: Limited evidence. Limited direct evidence.
Citations:
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
- What it shows: Review.
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
8. Cons
Claim: Zinc PCA has limited human data and no CIR conclusion. |
Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:
- Limited human trials.
- No CIR conclusion.
- Incompatibilities. Soap, carbomer, phosphates.
- Not a dandruff or acne drug.
Citations:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR Part 358, Subpart H — Drug products for the control of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-358/subpart-H
- What it shows: FDA rule.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR Part 358, Subpart H — Drug products for the control of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-358/subpart-H
9. Safety Notes
Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only. |
Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:
- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes unless the product is made for the eye area.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.
Citations:
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
- What it shows: Review.
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
10. Product-line notes
- ORY® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY® Haircare: Designed for the look and feel of hair and scalp comfort. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss. If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss, see a dermatologist.
- ORY® Handmade Soap line: Zinc PCA is used in liquid soaps and syndet, shampoo, or cleansing bars, which are cosmetics under FDA rules and list all of their ingredients. It is not used in cold-process soap.
- ORY® Cosmetics: Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.
11. References
Peer-reviewed research
- Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
- Takino, Y., Okura, F., Kitazawa, M., Iwasaki, K., & Tagami, H. (2012). Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 34(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00676.x
Government and regulatory sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR Part 333, Subpart D — Topical acne drug products for over-the-counter human use. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-333/subpart-D
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR Part 358, Subpart H — Drug products for the control of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-358/subpart-H
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
