Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
Extract of a red microalga rich in sulfated polysaccharides. In one placebo-controlled trial by the raw-material maker, transepidermal water loss was 18% lower with 1% extract than with placebo. Soothing data come only from cells
Evidence by route
Topical application
Moisturizing has the best data. In a double-blind trial by the raw-material maker, transepidermal water loss was 18% lower with 1% extract than with placebo after 28 days. It is a single trial of one specific raw material without corneometer measurements. Soothing data come only from cells
- B
Moisturizing
One double-blind randomized trial by the raw-material maker in 90 women: with 1% extract, transepidermal water loss was 18% lower than with placebo after 28 days (Havas 2026)
- C
Soothing
Only cell data exist for the extract (Havas 2026, Liberti 2023, Liu 2025). In people, an isolated polysaccharide, not the extract, reduced irritant-induced redness (Matsui 2003)
- Havas F et al. Hyaluronic Acid-like Skin Plumping and Radiance Benefits of a Porphyridium Sulfated Exopolysaccharide- and Natural PDRN-Rich Extract. Mar Drugs. 2026;24(3). PMID 41892958
- Liberti D et al. Shedding Light on the Hidden Benefit of Porphyridium cruentum Culture. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(2). PMID 36829897
- Liu R et al. Porphyridium purpureum culture extract as an ecologically safe agent against PM2.5 - induced skin toxicity. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025;303:119034. PMID 40961598
- Matsui MS et al. Sulfated polysaccharides from red microalgae have antiinflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2003;104(1):13-22. PMID 12495202
How to read tiers A–F
- BLimited evidence. One RCT or several controlled studies with limitations
- CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus
Tolerability and safety
- Working concentrations
- The only human trial used 1% of a specific extract rich in exopolysaccharide and PDRN (Havas 2026). Lower concentrations have not been tested in people
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Unknown
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Porphyridium cruentum is a red microalga that surrounds its cells with a sulfated exopolysaccharide. The extract tested in people came from the culture medium and was rich in this polysaccharide and in DNA fragments (PDRN) (Havas 2026). Cosmetics use it as a moisturizing ingredient. The mechanism has been studied in cells. The same extract reduced inflammation in fibroblast cultures (Havas 2026), and the alga's polysaccharides showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in cell models (Liberti 2023). A polysaccharide from the related species P. purpureum protected keratinocytes from damage by fine particulate matter (Liu 2025). In people, an isolated red microalgae polysaccharide reduced irritant-induced redness, but that was not the extract (Matsui 2003). The raw-material maker ran and funded one double-blind randomized trial (Havas 2026). Ninety women aged 35–65 applied a formula with 1% extract, a placebo or 1% hyaluronic acid twice a day for 28 days. With the extract, transepidermal water loss was 18% lower than with placebo (p = 0.0006) and 11% lower than with hyaluronic acid. Skin moisture was not measured with a corneometer, and the result applies only to this raw material. The maker reports that the extract did not irritate reconstructed epidermis in a laboratory test (Havas 2026). Irritation and sensitization tests in people have not been published. There are no data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Porphyridium Cruentum Extract safe during pregnancy?
Safety data for Porphyridium Cruentum Extract during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.
What skin types is Porphyridium Cruentum Extract for?
Porphyridium Cruentum Extract suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Porphyridium Cruentum Extract and what does it do in cosmetics?
Extract of a red microalga rich in sulfated polysaccharides.
What's the INCI name for Porphyridium Cruentum Extract?
The INCI name is Porphyridium Cruentum Extract.
What concentration of Porphyridium Cruentum Extract is effective?
The only human trial used 1% of a specific extract rich in exopolysaccharide and PDRN (Havas 2026). Lower concentrations have not been tested in people
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