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Niacinamide 10% in formula
Hello! I am getting a niacinamide serum formulated and I want 10% niacinamide in it while manufacturer says “We don’t suggest to add niacinamide to 10% because what we use for raw material is pure and high-concentrated, it need to dilute before adding into serum. So 5% is the most.”
How true is that?Moreover, what’s best alternative to zinc PCA 1%?
Thank you!
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35 Replies
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I haven’t seen any in-vivo efficacy data to prove that 10% would be more beneficial than 5%. Remember - The more active, the bigger risk for irritation. Also the cost of the product goes up.
The Ordinary has 10% B3, but again, why? I think 5% should be the top.
Second remember - More does not need better. Some actives work at super low concentrations.Best alternative to Zinc PCA? … Sodium PCA
Apparently there is synergistic effect when used with Sodium Hyaluronate/Hyaluronic acid. -
Agree with Paprik, I believe most research has been performed at around the 4% level. Anything above that might just be for marketing bragging rights….”Look at me….I have more than them….So I must be better!”
Best alternative for zinc PCA?…. Assuming this is a cost issue? A genius once whispered to me that answer… blend zinc sulfate (super cheap) with sodium PCA….and what do you have?
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Best alternative to Zinc PCA? … Sodium PCA Apparently there is synergistic effect when used with Sodium Hyaluronate/Hyaluronic acid.
Mixing Sodium PCA with HA provides what kind of synergy? Humectancy? Other? I am curious. I use both, but not always in the same formula.
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Graillotion said:Agree with Paprik, I believe most research has been performed at around the 4% level. Anything above that might just be for marketing bragging rights….”Look at me….I have more than them….So I must be better!”Best alternative for zinc PCA?…. Assuming this is a cost issue? A genius once whispered to me that answer… blend zinc sulfate (super cheap) with sodium PCA….and what do you have?
Will you have zinc PCA and sodium sulfate?
Does it also need specific temperature, mixing speed other requirements or by just mixing them this reaction happens?
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Graillotion said:Best alternative to Zinc PCA? … Sodium PCA Apparently there is synergistic effect when used with Sodium Hyaluronate/Hyaluronic acid.
Mixing Sodium PCA with HA provides what kind of synergy? Humectancy? Other? I am curious. I use both, but not always in the same formula.
Yeah, I guess in humectancy. This is from my book from IPCS
Sodium PCA - Highest performing of all humectants; high end cosmeceutical products (expensive); synergistic effect with sodium hyaluronate.
I will try to google it also, just to check it out. Might be interesting aye?
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Thanks a lot everyone for your replies. This discussion is super helpful for me. Your help is greatly appreciated.
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@Paprik - what convinces you that Sodium PCA is superior to glycerine as a humectant?
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Abdullah said:Best alternative for zinc PCA?…. Assuming this is a cost issue? A genius once whispered to me that answer… blend zinc sulfate (super cheap) with sodium PCA….and what do you have? Will you have zinc PCA and sodium sulfate?
Does it also need specific temperature, mixing speed other requirements or by just mixing them this reaction happens?
No, you will have Zn, Na, Sulfate and PCA ions dissociated in the aqueous phase. They’re all water soluble so you just add to water and stir. On your label you will still need to list the ingredients as Sodium PCA and Zinc Sulfate … you could not claim ZnPCA as an ingredient
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MarkBroussard said:Abdullah said:Best alternative for zinc PCA?…. Assuming this is a cost issue? A genius once whispered to me that answer… blend zinc sulfate (super cheap) with sodium PCA….and what do you have?
Will you have zinc PCA and sodium sulfate?
Does it also need specific temperature, mixing speed other requirements or by just mixing them this reaction happens?
No, you will have Zn, Na, Sulfate and PCA ions dissociated in the aqueous phase. They’re all water soluble so you just add to water and stir. On your label you will still need to list the ingredients as Sodium PCA and Zinc Sulfate … you could not claim ZnPCA as an ingredient
So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?
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Abdullah said:MarkBroussard saidNo, you will have Zn, Na, Sulfate and PCA ions dissociated in the aqueous phase. They’re all water soluble so you just add to water and stir. On your label you will still need to list the ingredients as Sodium PCA and Zinc Sulfate … you could not claim ZnPCA as an ingredient
So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?
Yes, both Zn PCA and Na PCA are dissociated in solution. The approach described above gives you the same dissociated ions, but if it’s a 50/50 mixture of the two salts, you will have half as much PCA … so, why not just add half as much ZnPCA and you have one less ingredient to purchase.
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Perry said:@Paprik - what convinces you that Sodium PCA is superior to glycerine as a humectant?
Frankly, nothing.
It’s just from my IPCS study texts. I kind of believe that glycerin is the best humectant. Especially compering the prices.
But also believe Na PCA is great. And not feeling tacky when used in higher percentages. -
MarkBroussard said:Abdullah said:MarkBroussard saidNo, you will have Zn, Na, Sulfate and PCA ions dissociated in the aqueous phase. They’re all water soluble so you just add to water and stir. On your label you will still need to list the ingredients as Sodium PCA and Zinc Sulfate … you could not claim ZnPCA as an ingredient
So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?
Yes, both Zn PCA and Na PCA are dissociated in solution. The approach described above gives you the same dissociated ions, but if it’s a 50/50 mixture of the two salts, you will have half as much PCA … so, why not just add half as much ZnPCA and you have one less ingredient to purchase.
Thanks
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Ooops! … My comment did not post. To answer your question:
“So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?”
Let’s assume you mix 50/50 Zn Sulfate and Na PCA … Yes, but why not just use 1/2 the amount of ZnPCA and not have to combine two separate ingredients when you don’t get to list ZnPCA on your ingredient list? -
MarkBroussard said:@Abdullah
Ooops! … My comment did not post. To answer your question:
“So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?”
Let’s assume you mix 50/50 Zn Sulfate and Na PCA … Yes, but why not just use 1/2 the amount of ZnPCA and not have to combine two separate ingredients when you don’t get to list ZnPCA on your ingredient list?
Cost and availability to the small-time operator.
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MarkBroussard said:@Abdullah
Ooops! … My comment did not post. To answer your question:
“So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?”
Let’s assume you mix 50/50 Zn Sulfate and Na PCA … Yes, but why not just use 1/2 the amount of ZnPCA and not have to combine two separate ingredients when you don’t get to list ZnPCA on your ingredient list?
Some more questions that came to me.
1. An expert here told me that if we combine same ratio of fatty acids+glycerin as a plant oil like coconut oil, it will not function as coconut oil. Also if you apply coconut oil to skin, the glycerin in it will not function as glycerin although it has ~10% glycerin. So how these ions when separated function the same as it was combined?
2. Is it the zinc PCA or zinc sulfate form that is doing the function for which they are being used or just the zinc part?
3. As i don’t have chemistry background, can you tell me why mixing zinc sulfate with sodium PCA turns to Zn, Na, Sulfate and PCA ions dissociated in the aqueous phase and not stay there original form? -
Graillotion said:MarkBroussard said:@Abdullah
Ooops! … My comment did not post. To answer your question:
“So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?”
Let’s assume you mix 50/50 Zn Sulfate and Na PCA … Yes, but why not just use 1/2 the amount of ZnPCA and not have to combine two separate ingredients when you don’t get to list ZnPCA on your ingredient list?
Cost and availability to the small-time operator.
What about zinc gluconate?
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Thanks everyone for your response
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I have one more question, please answer. My serum has a number of botanical extracts which are antioxidants like olive leaf extract, licorice extract, rosemary extract etc. Is it essential to use sunblock with this also as it’s mandatory with vitamin C, retinol and acids? Thanks!
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@Abdullah The active part of Zn-PCA is PCA. PCA itself (as most organic acids) is not as soluble in water as it’s salt; that’s why it’s more common to have it as Na-PCA. As @MarkBroussard mentioned, once dissolved in water, salts such as Na-PCA, Zn-PCA or ZnSO4 will completely dissociate in their ions (depending on their solubility constants), since hydration is more thermodinamically favored than keeping the ionic structure, so then you’ll have each single ion in the solution. Again, what matters is to have the PCA part present, since that’s the one with humecting properties.
@Rimshah most extracts have very little antioxidant capacity (with few exceptions)…keep in mind that they have usually metal (ions) traces, which act as catalyst of oxidative properties, so you’d need a more robust antioxidant to protect them.
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ketchito said:@Abdullah The active part of Zn-PCA is PCA. PCA itself (as most organic acids) is not as soluble in water as it’s salt; that’s why it’s more common to have it as Na-PCA. As @MarkBroussard mentioned, once dissolved in water, salts such as Na-PCA, Zn-PCA or ZnSO4 will completely dissociate in their ions (depending on their solubility constants), since hydration is more thermodinamically favored than keeping the ionic structure, so then you’ll have each single ion in the solution. Again, what matters is to have the PCA part present, since that’s the one with humecting properties.
@Rimshah most extracts have very little antioxidant capacity (with few exceptions)…keep in mind that they have usually metal (ions) traces, which act as catalyst of oxidative properties, so you’d need a more robust antioxidant to protect them.
I thought the active part of zinc PCA is zinc.
https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-niacinamide-10-zinc-1-P427417
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Abdullah said:Graillotion said:MarkBroussard said:@Abdullah
Ooops! … My comment did not post. To answer your question:
“So will there be any effect that zinc PCA or sodium PCA has?”
Let’s assume you mix 50/50 Zn Sulfate and Na PCA … Yes, but why not just use 1/2 the amount of ZnPCA and not have to combine two separate ingredients when you don’t get to list ZnPCA on your ingredient list?
Cost and availability to the small-time operator.
What about zinc gluconate?
When I was in the zinc selection process…I sent my respected advisor a list of candidates. Below is his response, I hope you find this helpful (keep in mind….the topic of discussion…is DEODORANT!). So, his comments might be different in a general skincare context.
Yea, the (Sulfate) monohydrate is like ‘wet’ zinc sulfate. I’d go with that one.
If you want zinc in its free form (which is the one active against microbes), zinc sulfate is the way to go. Also, it’s an INCI ingredient (not sure whether or not the other forms are).
Zinc oxide is a different horse, don’t go with that one.
Zinc gluconate and citrate are weakly chelated… they may be okay for oral supplementation but come with a lower overall zinc content (large chelate molecules) and poor skin permeation. From what I can see, no benefit in cosmetics.
Zinc aspartate and glycinate are amino acid complexes, similar to zinc PCA. However, many commercial amino acid complexes are actually a blend of the amino acid with sulfate salts… depends on the supplier. Bulk supplements isn’t always too straightforward with the exact composition… If you want zinc in your skin instead of on your skin, zinc glycinate would be a good choice and has a higher % of zinc than other organic salts/complexes (zinc aspartate isn’t soluble, forget that one). Zinc picolinate is close to zinc PCA and probably the most stable complex (also most pH tolerant) though I’m not sure what higher amounts of picolinic acid would do to skin (picolinates are great for gastrointestinal absorption and likely show good skin penetration too).
Zinc orotate… too poor solubility, too low amount of overall zinc, and too pricey. I really don’t see any advantage of that one.
Hence, on the skin: zinc sulfate (quite heavily counts as electrolyte), in the skin: zinc glycinate (unless zinc picolinate is an INCI ingredient, both don’t count as electrolytes). -
In all fairness to the advisor…he was limited by a subset of choices that I provided. His first choice (but not part of the subset) was Zinc PCA.
Aloha.
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If you are looking for a deodorizer … Zinc Peroxide is what you are best off using
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Abdullah said:ketchito said:@Abdullah The active part of Zn-PCA is PCA. PCA itself (as most organic acids) is not as soluble in water as it’s salt; that’s why it’s more common to have it as Na-PCA. As @MarkBroussard mentioned, once dissolved in water, salts such as Na-PCA, Zn-PCA or ZnSO4 will completely dissociate in their ions (depending on their solubility constants), since hydration is more thermodinamically favored than keeping the ionic structure, so then you’ll have each single ion in the solution. Again, what matters is to have the PCA part present, since that’s the one with humecting properties.
@Rimshah most extracts have very little antioxidant capacity (with few exceptions)…keep in mind that they have usually metal (ions) traces, which act as catalyst of oxidative properties, so you’d need a more robust antioxidant to protect them.
I thought the active part of zinc PCA is zinc.
https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-niacinamide-10-zinc-1-P427417
@Abdullah My bet. I for some reason thought someone mentioned the humectancy, that’s when PCA comes to play. If you want a Zn source for your formula due to its antimicrobial properties (not aware of sebum regulation, but for that, aluminium salts are more effective), then cheaper sources are well…cheaper (except ZnO which is a very stable ionic compound).
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ketchito said:Abdullah said:ketchito said:@Abdullah The active part of Zn-PCA is PCA. PCA itself (as most organic acids) is not as soluble in water as it’s salt; that’s why it’s more common to have it as Na-PCA. As @MarkBroussard mentioned, once dissolved in water, salts such as Na-PCA, Zn-PCA or ZnSO4 will completely dissociate in their ions (depending on their solubility constants), since hydration is more thermodinamically favored than keeping the ionic structure, so then you’ll have each single ion in the solution. Again, what matters is to have the PCA part present, since that’s the one with humecting properties.
@Rimshah most extracts have very little antioxidant capacity (with few exceptions)…keep in mind that they have usually metal (ions) traces, which act as catalyst of oxidative properties, so you’d need a more robust antioxidant to protect them.
I thought the active part of zinc PCA is zinc.
https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-niacinamide-10-zinc-1-P427417
@Abdullah My bet. I for some reason thought someone mentioned the humectancy, that’s when PCA comes to play. If you want a Zn source for your formula due to its antimicrobial properties (not aware of sebum regulation, but for that, aluminium salts are more effective), then cheaper sources are well…cheaper (except ZnO which is a very stable ionic compound).
Thanks
How do you compare it to zinc gluconate?
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