Portulaca Pilosa Extract

Portulaca pilosa extract is a potent antioxidant plant that’s rich in beneficial compounds for skin including quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and rutin. All of these help protect skin from environmental aggressors by neutralizing harmful free radicals and improving skin’s natural defenses.

This plant extract is also a good source of hydrating polysaccharides such as rhamnose and xylose, which help maintain moisture balance within the skin’s uppermost layers.

Native to Asia but now found in portions of North and South America plus some countries in Europe, this perennial plant is similar to Portulaca oleracea (purslane) but is known to contain a more diversified group of beneficial substances. However, comparative chemical analysis has shown that purslane packs a greater antioxidant punch. Still, Portulaca pilosa holds its own and either extract is a welcome addition to leave-on skin care products.

Concentration protocols have not been firmly established for this ingredient when used in skin care, and its safety has not been formally assessed; however, tests on isolated healthy human cell lines have not shown evidence of toxicity.