Database/Humectant/Manganese PCA
100% natural origin · ISO 16128

Is Manganese PCA natural?

Yes. PCA is cyclized glutamic acid from fermentation; manganese is a natural mineral counter-ion, so no petrochemical mass is present.

INCI nameManganese PCA
FormulaC10H12MnN2O6 · 311.15 Da
FunctionHumectant · Moisturising
FeedstockMade by neutralizing L-pyroglutamic acid, produced by fermentation…

How we scored it

Formula C10H12MnN2O6 = 311.15 matches 2x pyroglutamate (128.1 Da each, natural, from fermented glutamic acid) + Mn2+ (natural mineral).
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Made by neutralizing L-pyroglutamic acid, produced by fermentation of glucose-derived glutamic acid, with a manganese mineral source. Both fragments are natural origin.

In plain English

A moisture-binding ingredient combining manganese mineral with PCA, a natural component of skin's own moisturizing factor derived from fermented glutamic acid. Used as a humectant in skin and hair products.

Structure

2D structure of Manganese PCA

manganese(2+);bis((2S)-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate)

PubChem CID 16097728 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Manganese PCA. PubChem CID 16097728. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3MANGANESE PCA. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4MANGANESE PCA. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=MANGANESE%20PCA