Database/Emollient/Polyglyceryl-3 PCA
100% natural origin · ISO 16128

Is Polyglyceryl-3 PCA natural?

Yes. Polyglycerol is condensed vegetable glycerin and PCA is cyclised L-glutamic acid from fermentation, so all atoms trace to natural feedstocks.

INCI namePolyglyceryl-3 PCA
FunctionEmollient
FeedstockGlycerin from oleochemical processing is condensed to polyglycerol-3…

How we scored it

Polyglycerol-3 C9H20O7 240 Da (glycerin) + PCA C5H7NO3 129 Da (from fermentation glutamic acid) - H2O 18 Da = 351 Da; all natural, 351 / 351 = 1.0.
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

Glycerin from oleochemical processing is condensed to polyglycerol-3 and esterified with PCA formed by cyclising fermentation-derived L-glutamic acid. No significant alternative route exists.

In plain English

A skin-conditioning ester used to help skin retain moisture and feel soft. It combines a short chain of glycerin units with PCA, a natural moisturising compound formed from glutamic acid.

CosIng definition: Polyglyceryl-3 PCA is the ester formed the reaction of Polyglyceryl-3 with PCA

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. 2POLYGLYCERYL-3 PCA. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3POLYGLYCERYL-3 PCA. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYGLYCERYL-3%20PCA