Chondrus Crispus Powder
Explained
Chondrus Crispus Powder is just Irish moss, a red seaweed harvested, dried, and ground into a fine powder. Because it's the whole plant rather than a liquid extract, it has an official INCI job as an "abrasive".
This ingredient also happens to be loaded with carrageenan, a sugar-based polysaccharide, that allows it to double as a thickener and light hydrator.
Real world concentration is low; industry surveys report a maximum of 0.1% across 63 leave-on products.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it in 2021 and concluded it's safe at current use levels and every human sensitization study on it came back negative.
Allergy risk is very low with no documented pattern of reactions but anyone with a known seaweed or iodine sensitivity may want to patch test since dried Chondrus crispus does carry a small amount of natural iodine.
See all 616 products with Chondrus Crispus Powder
