Ingredient decoder

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

INCI name: Spirulina Platensis Extract

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Blue-green microalgae extract that hydrates and may clog pores.

  • Skin protecting

Spirulina extract in plain English

Spirulina extract comes from a blue-green 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 spirulina extract bad for acne?

It can be. Spirulina 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 blue-green 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

  • Spirulina Platensis Extract
  • Spirulina platensis
  • Spirulina maxima
  • Arthrospira platensis
  • Spirulina
  • Spirulina maxima extract
  • Arthrospira platensis extract

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Frequently asked questions

Is spirulina extract comedogenic?

Spirulina 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 blue-green microalgae. Algae as a group rate high, though this one has less data.

What does spirulina extract do in skincare?

In short: blue-green microalgae extract that hydrates and may clog pores. In formulas it is used for skin protecting.

What else is spirulina extract called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, spirulina extract can also appear as Spirulina Platensis Extract, Spirulina platensis, Spirulina maxima, Arthrospira platensis or Spirulina.

Sources