Plankton
Also known as: Marine Plankton, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton Extract
What is Plankton?
Microscopic marine organisms (both plant and animal) used in skincare for their rich nutrient profile including proteins, lipids, and minerals.
Why is it used in products?
It's positioned as a cutting-edge, bio-marine ingredient that delivers growth factors, peptides, and antioxidants to the skin.
Why does it clog pores?
Plankton extracts create a protein and lipid-rich biofilm on the skin that can seal pore openings. The marine-derived minerals include iodides that irritate follicles and promote breakouts. Because "plankton" is vague, there's no way to assess exactly how comedogenic a particular extract is.
Commonly found in
- luxury serums
- anti-aging creams
- masks
- essences