Ingredient decoder

Porphyridium extract: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Porphyridium Cruentum Extract

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Red microalgae extract that hydrates and may clog pores.

  • Skin conditioning

Porphyridium extract in plain English

Porphyridium extract comes from a red microalgae and is used to hydrate and condition skin. Algae as a group rate high on classic comedogenic lists, based on old rabbit-ear tests of raw extracts. This species has little data of its own, and the small amounts in skincare may behave differently.

Is porphyridium extract bad for acne?

It can be. Porphyridium extract has a moderate clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. It has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 table and is flagged on classic comedogenic lists, often because of its chemical family. If you break out easily, check where it sits on the ingredient list: the higher it appears, the more of it the product usually contains.

Why it is flagged: A red microalgae. Algae as a group rate high, though this one has less data.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
  • Porphyridium cruentum
  • Porphyridium polysaccharide

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Frequently asked questions

Is porphyridium extract comedogenic?

Porphyridium extract has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear table, but it is flagged as a pore-clogger on classic comedogenic lists. A red microalgae. Algae as a group rate high, though this one has less data.

What does porphyridium extract do in skincare?

In short: red microalgae extract that hydrates and may clog pores. In formulas it is used for skin conditioning.

What else is porphyridium extract called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, porphyridium extract can also appear as Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Porphyridium cruentum or Porphyridium polysaccharide.

Sources