Zinc Pidolate (Zinc PCA) is a topical skin product with purifying, astingent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic activity. It has long been used as a cosmetic ingredient, because of its astringent and anti-microbial properties. Zinc Pidolate has also being shown to be effective against halitosis. Zinc PCA prevents the UV-induced MMP-1 production in vitro by suppressing the activation of AP-1. Zinc PCA was also able to enhance type I collagen synthesis in NHDFs, by increasing the expression of the mRNA encoding the ascorbic acid transporter SVCT2 in non-UV irradiated NHDFs, which suggests its promising effect against not only photoaged skin but also for the simple atrophic change of intrinsic skin ageing. Zinc PCA is able to suppress sebum secretion by inhibiting 5-α reductase in hyperseborrhea, to suppress body odor by forming zinc salts with short-chain fatty acids, to suppress wrinkles by inhibiting AP-1 to and inhibit bacterial growth including acne related Propionibacterium acnes.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is a safe skin friendly surfactant (foaming agent) for both skin and hair. Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate was used in 93 products in 1981, based on voluntary reports provided to FDA by industry; use concentrations ranged from >0.1% to >50%. In 2002 there were 68 uses (FDA 2002) and according to an industry survey in 2004 the current range of use concentrations is 0.6% to 21% (CTFA 2004). Asafety assessment on Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetatewas published in 1987 with the conclusion “On the basis of the available data presented in this report, the Expert Panel concludes that Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration” (Elder 1987). Studies available since that safety assessment was completed, along with updated information regarding uses and use concentrations, were considered by the CIR Expert Panel. After reviewing the available data, the Panel determined to not reopen this safety assessment.

Mandelic acid is an aromatic alpha hydroxy acid that is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. The drug is marketed in Canada under the name Mandelamine (as a complex with methenamine). Mandelic acid exerts its antibacterial effect mainly by increasing urine acidity. Moreover, mandelic acid is used as a serum for the treatment of wrinkles.

Kojic acid was first discovered in Japan in 1907. Kojic acid is a chelation agent produced by several species of fungi, especially Aspergillus oryzae, which has the Japanese common name koji. Kojic acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice, for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. It is a mild inhibitor of the formation of pigment in plant and animal tissues, and is used in food and cosmetics to preserve or change colors of substances. It forms a bright red complex with ferric ions. Kojic acid may be used on cut fruits to prevent oxidative browning, in seafood to preserve pink and red colors, and in cosmetics. In skin care products, kojic acid functions primarily as a skin-lightening agent. It is a potent tyrosinase inhibitor. It penetrates the upper skin layers and inhibits the production of epidermal melanin. As an example of the latter, it is used to treat skin diseases like melasma. Kojic acid also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The cocrystals of kojic acid with quercetin were found to have two times better cytotoxic activity to human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and human colon cancer cells (Caco-2) in comparison with quercetin itself.

Methanesulfonic acid is an alkane sulfonic acid in which the alkyl group directly linked to the sulfo- functionality is methyl. Salts and esters of methanesulfonic acid are known as mesylates (or methanesulfonates, as in ethyl methanesulfonate). Methanesulfonic acid is used as an acid catalyst in organic reactions because it is a non-volatile, strong acid that is soluble in organic solvents. Methanesulfonic acid is convenient for industrial applications because it is liquid at ambient temperature. Methanesulfonic acid is also a primary ingredient in rust and scale removers. It is used to clean off surface rust from ceramic, tiles and porcelain which are usually susceptible to acid attack.

Thioctic acid also known as alpha-lipoic acid is a dietary supplement, which is a common ingredient in OTC (over-the-counter) multivitamin formulas and anti-aging supplements. Thioctic acid exists in both R- and S-enantiomeric forms, however, only R-form is essential as a cofactor in biological systems (the acid is coupled via an amide linkage to a lysine of several multienzyme complexes, such as the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, the glycine cleavage system and the branched-chain oxo acid dehydrogenase complex). Most commercially available thioctic acid supplements are a mixture of both R and S enantiomers or R-form alone. Several studies have shown that the acid has beneficial effect on diabetes complications, cancer, glaucome, liver disease, etc. The mechanisms of thioctic acid is related to its antioxidant properties, metal chelator properties, however, those mechanisms need futher confirmation.