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Plankton Extract

What Plankton Extract is & what it does

A marine plankton extract rich in nutrients that conditions skin and helps support resilience against environmental stress. It hydrates and revitalizes.

What is Plankton Extract and what does it do in sunscreen?

Plankton Extract is a marine-derived botanical ingredient drawn from plankton, used to condition and hydrate skin. In sunscreen it acts as a skin-conditioning extract, adding moisture and a revitalized feel while supporting the skin against everyday environmental stress. It is typically a supporting ingredient rather than the source of sun protection.

Is Plankton Extract safe?

Yes, for most people. It is a botanical extract used at low levels in skincare and is generally well tolerated. As with any plant or marine extract, people with known sensitivities should check the full ingredient list, but it is considered a low-concern conditioning ingredient.

Does Plankton Extract clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-friendly conditioning extract used in small amounts rather than a heavy oil or wax, so it is not a typical pore-clogging ingredient. If you tend to break out, the richer emollients in a formula are far more likely the cause.

Is Plankton Extract a UV filter?

No. Plankton Extract is a skin-conditioning botanical, not a UV filter, so it does not provide sun protection on its own. The SPF in a product comes from its dedicated UV filters, while plankton extract is there to hydrate and condition the skin.

Is Plankton Extract vegan?

It depends on the specific source and how it is produced, so it cannot be guaranteed from the name alone. Plankton-derived extracts are marine ingredients and processing can vary between suppliers. If vegan status matters to you, look for an explicit vegan claim from the brand.

Sunscreens with Plankton Extract

We rate 129 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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