Trifolium Pratense Extract

Trifolium pratense (red clover) extract is a botanical antioxidant/“pore-minimizing” ingredient typically used at low percentages, but as a plant-derived extract it contains multiple bioactive constituents that can trigger stinging or dermatitis in reactive or eczema-prone skin. Clinical patch-testing experience with botanicals shows a non-zero rate of irritation and occasional sensitization, especially in compromised barriers or when combined with other actives. Given patient-safety considerations for highly sensitive populations, I rate it as mild with occasional sensitivity possible. Safety Notes: In mass-market leave-on skincare, Trifolium pratense (red clover) extract is often included as a minor botanical component or part of a blended complex, where it commonly appears at trace levels down to ~0.0001–0.01% (especially when used for marketing/INCI listing alongside many botanicals). More performance-positioned pore/refining and scalp/anti-hair-thinning products use higher active loads of red clover extract or standardized actives (e.g., isoflavone-rich extracts), typically ~0.1–2%, with a small number of consumer-available “concentrate/ampoule/serum” style formulas reaching about 5% extract; rinse-off products generally sit toward the lower end due to wash-off and cost constraints.