Ingredient decoder

Sea lettuce extract: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Ulva Lactuca Extract

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Green seaweed extract that hydrates and may clog pores.

  • Skin conditioning
  • Skin protecting

Sea lettuce extract in plain English

Sea lettuce extract comes from a green seaweed 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 sea lettuce extract bad for acne?

It can be. Sea lettuce 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 green seaweed extract. 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

  • Ulva Lactuca Extract
  • Ulva lactuca
  • Sea lettuce

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Frequently asked questions

Is sea lettuce extract comedogenic?

Sea lettuce 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 green seaweed extract. Algae as a group rate high, though this one has less data.

What does sea lettuce extract do in skincare?

In short: green seaweed extract that hydrates and may clog pores. In formulas it is used for skin conditioning and skin protecting.

What else is sea lettuce extract called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, sea lettuce extract can also appear as Ulva Lactuca Extract, Ulva lactuca or Sea lettuce.

Sources