Zinc PCA is a component of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), which acts as a humectant to draw water to it, and when synthesized with zinc, it can actually improve the efficacy of zinc, by making it more bioavailable and easily-absorbed.

Studies have also shown that zinc PCA can inhibit the activity of destructive enzymes within the skin, therefore providing a protective, anti-ageing mechanism to the skin. 

Zinc is a family of ingredients that can also be found on ingredients lists as zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate and zinc sulphate.

Renude

blackheads

blemishes

pigmentation

redness

I have chosen this azelaic acid based serum as a fantastic multi-tasking ingredient for your skin. Azelaic acid is both an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory so it works to target breakouts and reduce redness and inflammation within the skin. This serum contains 8% azelaic acid, alongside zinc pca which also helps to balance oil production within the skin.

Azelaic acid is found naturally in grains such as barley, wheat and rye, but can also be produced commercially in the lab. It has several benefits in skincare including as an anti-inflammatory, with evidence showing great results in treating rosacea symptoms (swelling & redness) via this mechanism.

Azelaic also has an anti-blemish activity - firstly, it is an antibacterial which works to kill acne-causing bacteria, P.Acnes. Secondly, it prevents pores becoming blocked by the skin’s natural shedding process, which makes it harder for this bacteria to populate inside the pore to cause a blemish (it needs an oxygen-free environment to thrive).

Studies have also shown azelaic acid to inhibit melanogenesis (production of melanin), so also has benefits in treating hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory acne scarring. It has good skin tolerability, so can be used to treat more sensitive skin types in concentrations of around 10%.

azelaic acid

Zinc PCA is a synthetic active, derived from zinc and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. Zinc is known to regulate sebum production, as well as inhibit the growth of the P.Acnes bacteria to improve acne symptoms. PCA is a component of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), which acts as a humectant to draw water to it, and when synthesized with zinc, it can actually improve the efficacy of zinc, by making it more bioavailable and easily-absorbed.

Studies have also shown that zinc PCA can inhibit the activity of destructive enzymes within the skin, therefore providing a protective, anti-ageing mechanism to the skin. 

zinc pca

Zinc is known to regulate sebum production, as well as inhibit the growth of the P.Acnes bacteria to improve acne symptoms.

With soothing aloe vera, the Q+A Azelaic Acid serum helps to calm, soothe and minimise breakouts, restoring an even complexion. Azelaic acid is derived naturally from Rye, Wheat & Barley and is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a great choice for breakout and redness prone skin. It also works to fade pigmentation, so can tackle any post-inflammatory marks to boot!

These formulas contain a high concentration of azelaic acid, which has proven effectiveness in treating redness, blemishes and hyperpigmentation.

Azelaic acid treatment picks

This 10% Azelaic acid booster is combined with salicylic acid to support breakout prone skin. The formula is a creamy texture, which absorbs instantly without dry out the skin.

This milky serum contains15% azelaic acid, in combination with salicylic acid, zinc and niacinamide. These ingredients work in combination to reduce inflammation, regulate oil production and provide antibacterial action to redness blemishes and post-inflammatory marks.

This lightweight moisturising gel contains azelaic acid, alongside tranexamic acid to target hyperpigmentation, niacinamide to regulate sebum and support the natural skin barrier, and vitamins b5 and e to provide antioxidant protection to the skin.

This water-based serum uses 12% of a derivative of azelaic acid known as Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate rather than the active itself (as it's notoriously difficult to formulate with and get a killer texture). This derivative delivers all the amazing benefits of azelaic acid as well as hydrating the skin, so this is a fantastic product for the price.

This creamy serum formula contains azelaic acid which acts as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory to calm breakouts. Zinc PCA helps to regulate oil production while natural plant extracts provide antioxidant protection.

Cruelty free

UK made

Unfragranced

Nut free

Vegan

dull skin

uneven texture

I have chosen this multi-functional serum for your routine to brighten and even skin tone whilst reducing congestion and targeting fine lines. It's a perfect all-rounder, with 10% niacinamide, peptide, hyaluronic acid and zinc pca.

Acetyl Glucosamine is an amino acid sugar

acetyl glucosamine

Amino acids are the small building blocks that make up peptides, and proteins. Each amino acid has a unique structure, and as such plays a specific role within the body. There are around 20 different types considered to be most important for human health. In the outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, they are present in the ‘natural moisturising factors’, our skin’s own moisturising mechanism, and they help to support water transport between skin cells to keep our surface smooth and hydrated.

Glycerin is a humectant present in all natural lipids. It works to attract water molecules towards it, plumping & hydrating the applied area, resulting in smooth, soft, hydrated skin. It is one of the most widely used humectants in skincare, due to it’s high performance and broad availability (making it very cost-effective). Recent research has shown that it’s ability to penetrate the layers of the skin is superior to that of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, making it a brilliant choice for overall skin hydration, and suitable for all skin types.

glycerin

Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3 and Nicotinamide, has many skincare benefits. Firstly, it regulates sebum production in the skin, which in turn reduces blemishes and visible pore size. It also reduces facial redness by improving microcirculation, which means moving the blood inside the capillaries away from the face to reduce visible redness. It also has the ability to strengthen the natural lipid barrier of the skin by encouraging ceramide production (the building blocks which seal our skin cells together), which in turn increases the hydration within the epidermis. Lastly, niacinamide works to help reduce hyperpigmentation by blocking melanin from being deposited on the skin cells.

niacinamide

Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid (a polysaccharide which occurs naturally in the body), created to improve the ingredient stability. It works as an extremely powerful humectant, able to attract 1000x its own weight in water, to immediately plump and hydrate the area it is applied to. The body’s own production of hyaluronic acid slows with age, so supplementing this ingredient in topical formulations helps to support the skin’s natural moisture-binding, anti-ageing mechanisms.

sodium hyaluronate

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide which occurs naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid works as an extremely powerful humectant, able to attract 1000x its own weight in water, to immediately plump and hydrate the area it is applied to. The body’s own production of hyaluronic acid slows with age, so supplementing this ingredient in topical formulations helps to support the skin’s natural moisture-binding, anti-ageing mechanisms.

Tocopherol, aka Vitamin E, is a fat-soluble Vitamin contained in many plant oils, or can also be produced synthetically. Vitamin E is found naturally in our own skin, and it’s main benefit is to offer powerful antioxidant protection against pollution and free radical damage. It also helps to support our skin’s natural lipid barrier, which in turn improves the hydration levels within the epidermis, as water loss through the skin is minimised.

tocopherol

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble Vitamin contained in many plant oils, or can also be produced synthetically. Vitamin E is found naturally in our own skin, and it’s main benefit is to offer powerful antioxidant protection against pollution and free radical damage. It also helps to support our skin’s natural lipid barrier, which in turn improves the hydration levels within the epidermis, as water loss through the skin is minimised.

This nourishing and clarifying peptide-infused serum absorbs immediately, helping to create a luminous-looking complexion.

These treatments contain niacinamide, which works to regulate oil production, minimise redness, fade hyperpigmentation and support the skin barrier.

Niacinamide treatment picks

This serum combines 10% niacinamide alongside peptides. So you get all of the multi-functional benefits of niacinamide, alongside the youth-boosting properties of peptides.

This serum contains 5% niacinamide alongside 3 different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (meaning they can absorb to different layers of the skin to maximise hydration ). It is clinically proven to soothe and plump skin, as well as repair dry or damaged skin.

This serum contains 15% niacinamide alongside zinc, allantoin and amino acids. This is designed to support overall skin health - regulating oil production, calming redness, strengthening the natural lipid barrier and reducing hyperpigmentation.

This water-based serum contains 5% niacinamide, alongside panthenol (vitamin b5) to act as a humectant, drawing water to the skin to plump and hydrate.

enlarged pores

I have chosen this acid-based exfoliating treatment to decongest pores, reduce inflammation and fade post-acne pigmentation. It contains a blend of resurfacing acids, fruit enzymes and brighteners to smooth texture, even skin tone and reduce breakouts.

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), derived from sugar cane. AHAs work by dissolving the keratin binding the outermost layer of skin cells, speeding up the skin’s natural exfoliation process. This leads to smoother, brighter, clearer skin, whilst reducing skin discolouration & fine lines/wrinkles with continued use.

Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular weight of all the AHAs, meaning it can penetrate the skin quickest, producing the fastest results, but also most likely to cause skin sensitivity, so it is best for those with fairly tolerant skin types.

glycolic acid

glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract

Liquorice is a legume which grows in the Mediterranean, the Middle East & Russia. It contains the active constituent glabridin, which has been shown to prevent and reverse UV-induced skin damage, to provide visible skin-lightening properties to the skin.

Its second active component, Glycyrrhetinic acid is used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It works by inhibiting the production of inflammatory substances, such as cortisone, within the body, with some research showing results to be comparable to prescription hydrocortisone cream.

Lactobacillus Extract Filtrate is a cell-free extract (CFE) of the lactobacillus microorganism. This means it is no longer a living bacteria (probiotic), but an extract of a once-living bacteria, which functions as a prebiotic. This active has been shown via clinical studies from the manufacturer, Evonik, to encourage the growth of beneficial skin bacteria, as well as support the natural skin barrier function, helping to protect against skin roughness and dryness.

lactobacillus extract filtrate

Prebiotics in simple terms, can be classed as a food source that encourages the growth of good bacteria on the skin. The microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria on the skin) is a relatively new discovery and we are learning that this is linked to many different aspects of our health, mood and appearance. A diverse breadth in the strains of bacteria living on the skin results in a healthy microbiome, and some early research has linked certain imbalances in this microbiome to skin conditions such as acne, ezcema and psoriasis.

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), derived from bitter almonds. AHAs work by dissolving the keratin binding the outermost layer of skin cells, speeding up the skin’s natural exfoliation process. This leads to smoother, brighter, clearer skin, whilst reducing skin discolouration & fine lines/wrinkles with continued use.

Mandelic acid has a larger molecular weight vs. other acids in the AHA category. It is twice the molecular weight of glycolic acid for example (the smallest AHA on the market), so it tends to be better tolerated than smaller AHAs, which penetrate the skin much faster. Research also shows that mandelic acid is particularly effective at improving some forms of pigmentation, compared with other AHAs.

mandelic acid

Panthenol is a form of Vitamin B5, which is converted into Pantothenic acid within the epidermis when applied topically. Its main benefit in cosmetics is as a humectant, meaning it can draw water molecules to it, hydrating and plumping the area it has been applied to.

Panthenol also supports the natural lipid barrier of the skin, by encouraging the production of a precursor to fatty acids & sphingolipids, both of which are essential parts of the skin barrier. This mechanism helps to moisturise the skin by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), therefore retaining more moisture within the skin. This also helps to reduce inflammation in dry or broken skin, as an intact skin barrier will prevent potential irritants from getting into the epidermis.

panthenol

Vitamin B5 is as a humectant, meaning it can draw water molecules to it, hydrating and plumping the area it has been applied to. It also supports the natural lipid barrier of the skin, by encouraging the production of a precursor to fatty acids & sphingolipids, both of which are essential parts of the skin barrier. This mechanism helps to moisturise the skin by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), therefore retaining more moisture within the skin. This also helps to reduce inflammation in dry or broken skin, as an intact skin barrier will prevent potential irritants from getting into the epidermis.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which occurs naturally in willow bark. Salicylic acid works as an exfoliating acid to dissolve the keratin that binds the outermost layers of the skin, encouraging the natural exfoliation process of the skin.

Due to its oil-soluble form, salicylic acid can penetrate inside the pore, to clear out dead skin cell build up and prevent comedones (blocked pores) from occurring, or acne-causing bacteria to overpopulate within the pore. This P.Acnes bacteria is anaerobic so needs an oxygen-free environment to thrive, and thus require a pore to be blocked.

salicylic acid

The Accelerator has a multitasking formulation.  The gel-cream combines a 12.5% Acid blend of Dioic, Mandelic, Salicylic and Pomegranate Enzymes, addressing breakouts and hyperpigmentation at the same time. It works effortlessly to help smooth the skins texture, fade hyperpigmentation, refine pores, combat breakouts and help smoothen the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

These treatments combine AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate the skin, decongest pores, reduce blemishes and breakouts, and refine overall texture and tone.

AHA & BHA mixed acid exfoliant picks

This formula includes a blend of acids to decongest and brighten the skin. This include mandelic, glycolic, dioic, salicylic and gluconolactone. On top of this, hydrating and soothing ingredients such as panthenol, liquorice and aloe vera work to balance the skin to support the skin barrier.

This toner includes a blend of natural salicylic acid from willow bark water, alongside natural malic acid from apple fruit water. Combined with allantoin and panthenol to soothe and hydrate, this formula works well to decongest and brighten without drying or stripping the skin.

This resurfacing toner combines 5 different acids to deliver multiple benefits to the skin. AHAs lactic acid and glycolic acid refine skin texture and add radiance, BHA salicylic acid works to decongest pores, reducing blemishes and breakouts, whilst PHAs gluconolactone and lactobiotic acid even out skin tone. The toner also includes niacinamide to regulate oil production and soothe any redness.

Diverse founder

Female founder

scarring

I have chosen this clinically proven daily moisturiser to target blemishes, enlarged pores and blackheads in the skin.

This is a L’Oreal-patented active, also known as lipo-hydroxy acid, or LHA. It is an ester of salicylic acid which has been modified to make it more lipophilic, and therefore have better skin penetration abilities.

It works in a similar way to salicylic acid in that it has a keratolytic effect on the skin - encouraging the natural exfoliation process of dead surface cells, and in turn the production of new skin cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. It can also penetrate into the pores (more effectively than regular salicylic acid), removing any dead cell build-up inside and unblocking the pores, leading to a reduction in acne, whiteheads & blackheads.

Its superior skin affinity means it is effective at very low concentrations (0.3%) meaning results can be achieved without the side effects commonly associated with other resurfacing acids, so is a great choice for more sensitive skin types.

capryloyl salicylic acid

DUAL ACTION ACNE TREATMENT: This acne spot treatment reduces the number and severity of acne blemishes and helps clear blackheads and whiteheads. With 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, this treatment provides fast, visible results in 3 days.

Acne spot treatment reduces 60% of acne in 10 days
Dual action: reduces the number and severity of blemishes and clears blackheads/whiteheads
Non-drying, oil-free, fast absorbing texture
Can be used as a spot treatment or all over face

I have chosen this mattifying, lightweight formula to target blemishes and enlarged pores, whilst controlling sebum with mattifying powders to reduce shine.

Ascorbyl Glucoside is a water-soluble derivative of Vitamin C. This derivative was created to provide improved stability and skin penetration vs. ascorbic acid alone. It is still unclear how well ascorbyl glucoside is converted into ascorbic acid (the active form of Vitamin C) within the body, but some of it will be lost during this conversion, making this less potent, and therefore requiring higher levels in the formulation in order to achieve great results.

ascorbyl glucoside

Vitamin C has many skin benefits, including its action as an antioxidant, to neutralise free radicals (reactive molecules with an unpaired electron), preventing them from causing damage to cells within the body. Vitamin C is also involved in the collagen-production process, so provides anti-wrinkle activity through this mechanism. Lastly, Vitamin C inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin-synthesis, and can therefore visibly reduce areas of hyperpigmentation in the skin.

DAILY MOISTURIZER FOR OILY SKIN ANTI-SHINE ANTI-ENLARGED PORES: This mattifying moisturizer for oily skin targets excess oil. Dual action - mattifies skin and refines pores. Formulated with micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, this oil-free formula hydrates skin while leaving skin looking and feeling matte.

Mattifying moisturizer visibly reduces the look of pores
Sebulyse technology provides dual action targeting by reducing shine and large pores
Smoothes skin texture
Excellent base for make-up

I have chosen this gentle clarifying cleanser for you to tackle congestion in the skin.

PURIFYING FOAMING CLEANSER: This daily facial wash for normal to oily skin foams to remove face and eye makeup, dirt, and impurities. Its refreshing gel formula removes excess oil while maintaining skin’s natural protective barrier and pH. Leaves skin feeling clean and fresh.

I have chosen this lightweight niacinamide-based serum to target blemishes and visibly minimise pores.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is indicated to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. A high 10% concentration of this vitamin is supported in the formula by zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid to balance visible aspects of sebum activity.

Independent studies suggest Niacinamide is also an effective ingredient for brightening skin tone.

I've chosen this salicylic acid cleanser to gently unblock pores to decongest the skin and reduce blemishes and blackheads.

Allantoin occurs naturally in the body, but can also be derived from the root of the Comfrey plant or Chamomile, or produced synthetically. It is used in skincare for its ability to promote wound healing and healthy tissue growth, by stimulating the fibroblasts in the dermis to produce collagen and elastin fibres, essential tissues for skin regeneration and healing. Allantoin has also been shown to have soothing and anti-irritant properties, which is thought to be down to its ability to form complexes with irritating agents, thus preventing them from activating inflammatory mechanisms within the skin.

allantoin

Clarify your complexion with The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser. This BHA exfoliating cleanser provides a thorough cleanse, lifting makeup, dirt and impurities while helping to unclog the pores. Perfect for blemish-prone and oily skin types, this cleanser helps to tighten the pores while Zinc minimises excess oils for a fresher, clearer complexion.

Allantoin acts as an anti-irritant to soothe the skin after exfoliation and creates a protective barrier to reinforce the skin’s natural defences against environmental aggressors. Suitable for everyday use, the cleanser works to reduce the appearance of blackheads, breakouts and discolouration. Add this no-nonsense cleanser to your morning and evening routine to help fight breakouts and promote clearer skin.

barrier support

I have chosen this niacinamide serum for your routine, as it has wonderful multi-functional benefits for the skin. Niacinamide works to balances oil production, reduces redness and inflammation, as well as support the skin's natural barrier.

Highly concentrated serum that combines the maximum concentration of 15% niacinamide with optimal ratios of synergistic ingredients for total acne control.

Zinc PCA

What is Zinc PCA?

What does Zinc PCA do?

Who is Zinc PCA good for?

Who should avoid Zinc PCA?

Zinc PCA

What is Zinc PCA?

What does Zinc PCA do?

Who is Zinc PCA good for?

Who should avoid Zinc PCA?

Cleansers (1)

Treatments (4)

Hydrators (2)