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Skin science article

PCA SKIN Skin Care | Dermstore

PCA SKIN Developed with science-supported actives and ultra-efficacious ingredients to provide optimal visible results, PCA SKIN offers an unparalleled level of expertise to ensure your regime is best suited to your skin-specific concern. Championing a philoso

By Peptide Skincare & Beauty Editorial TeamPublished

PCA SKIN

Developed with science-supported actives and ultra-efficacious ingredients to provide optimal visible results, PCA SKIN offers an unparalleled level of expertise to ensure your regime is best suited to your skin-specific concern. Championing a philosophy of ‘simplified skin care’, the brand makes choosing the right formula easy for all, with a collection of lines curated for blemish-prone, oily, dull, and dry skin types. PCA SKIN’s extensive selection of skin care saviors spans revitalizing exfoliants, brightening serums and SPFs, alongside cleansers, creams and targeted treatments. Browse the best-selling Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum for a hit of skin-quenching hydration, or the coveted Pigment Gel Pro to visibly unify and balance the complexion. Discover the nourishing Overnight Lip Mask and innovative Ideal Complex Restorative Eye Cream to complete your routine. Shop all PCA SKIN formulas at Dermstore to level-up your skin care ritual today.

Developed by professionals, PCA SKIN was founded over 30 years ago and has been a leading and innovative skin care brand ever since. With an expansive range of scientifically proven, professional-grade formulas, PCA SKIN believes in improving people’s lives by providing skin care solutions that are backed by science and deliver transformative results for all skin types and concerns. Designed to make daily care simple, the line is customizable, with a product assortment that includes pH-balanced cleansers, toners that function as liquid treatment products rather than simple astringents, spot treatments and advanced corrective treatments including award-winning retinol products.

Popularity

Price: Low to High

Price: High to Low

A - Z

Newest Arrivals

Percentage Discount

7 fl. oz.

1 oz.

3 fl. oz.

$315.00

$84.00

$56.00

$221.00

$154.00

$130.00

$105.00

$62.00

$158.00

$135.00

$52.00

$109.00

$72.00

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
  4. 04Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
  5. 05In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
  6. 06Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
  7. 07Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
  8. 08While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
  9. 09This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
  10. 10Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
  11. 11Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
  12. 12In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
  13. 13While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
  14. 14Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
  15. 15This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
  16. 16This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures…
  17. 17Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
  18. 18Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
  19. 19It plays several roles in a formula:
  20. 20Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Source · skinsort.com ⟶
02

Product index

Related product references

Product

PCA Skin Intensive Clarify Solution

PCA Skin Intensive Clarify Solution PCA Skin Intensive Clarify Solution ingredients explained: Salicylic Acid (2.0%), Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate, Cyclopentasiloxa…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →

Product

PCA Skin Pigment Gel (Discontinued)

PCA Skin Pigment Gel (Discontinued) PCA Skin Pigment Gel ingredients explained: Hydroquinone (2%), Water/Aqua/Eau, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Butylene Glycol…

Source: incidecoder.comView reference →
03

Comparison edit

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