Ingredient decoder

Red algae extract: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Red Algae Extract

Acne verdict High clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Red seaweed extract that rates high for clogging pores.

  • Skin conditioning

Red algae extract in plain English

Red algae extract comes from red seaweeds and is used to condition and hydrate skin. Red algae extracts rate high on classic comedogenic lists. Keep in mind these ratings come from old rabbit-ear tests of the raw ingredient, which can overstate the risk of a small amount in a finished product.

Is red algae extract bad for acne?

It can be. Red algae extract has a high 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: Red algae extracts rate high on classic comedogenic lists.

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

Also called

  • Red Algae Extract
  • Red algae
  • Rhodophyta extract

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Frequently asked questions

Is red algae extract comedogenic?

Red algae 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. Red algae extracts rate high on classic comedogenic lists.

What does red algae extract do in skincare?

In short: red seaweed extract that rates high for clogging pores. In formulas it is used for skin conditioning.

What else is red algae extract called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, red algae extract can also appear as Red algae or Rhodophyta extract.

Sources