Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: July 1, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit?

Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit comes from the giant granadilla, a climbing passionflower native to the tropical zones of Central and South America. The ripe fruit is large, oval and filled with fragrant yellow pulp that is naturally rich in sugars, organic acids, vitamins A and C, flavonoids and tannins. These plant compounds give the pulp its gentle toning and antioxidant character, qualities that have long made the fruit a favorite in home beauty recipes.

Its cosmetic story began with local communities who applied the fresh mash to cool and tighten the skin after sun exposure. As interest in fruit-based actives grew, formulators noticed that its tannin content delivers a mild astringent effect without the stinging associated with strong alcohol toners. Today the pulp is collected from fully ripened fruits, then mechanically separated, filtered and either cold-processed into a glycerin extract or gently dried and milled into a fine powder. Preservative systems are added to meet international safety standards before the material ships to labs around the world.

You will most often see Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit in pore-refining toners, clay masks, lightweight gel moisturizers, after-shave splashes, scalp lotions and any formula that aims to leave skin or hair feeling fresh and toned rather than oily or sticky.

Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

When blended into skincare or haircare, this fruit offers one principal benefit.

Astringent: The natural tannins help tighten the look of enlarged pores, curb surface shine and leave a smooth non-greasy finish. This makes the ingredient especially useful in products designed for combination, oily or blemish-prone skin where a fresh matte feel is desired without excessive drying.

Who Can Use Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit

This fruit extract is generally a good match for oily, combination and normal skin because its mild astringent action helps control surface oil without leaving a heavy feel. People with very dry or easily irritated skin may find it slightly too tightening if used every day, so they might prefer formulas where the extract sits lower on the ingredient list or is paired with richer emollients.

Because it comes from a plant source and is processed without animal derivatives, Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit is considered suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. If the finished product contains glycerin, look for brands that specify a vegetable origin to stay fully plant-based.

Topical use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is not known to pose a specific risk. Still, this is not medical advice, and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should show the full ingredient list of any cosmetic to a qualified health professional before adding it to a routine.

The extract has no documented link to photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. Normal daily sun protection is still encouraged for overall skin health.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Reactions to Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit differ from person to person. The effects listed below are possible rather than probable, and most users will not notice any issues when the ingredient is properly formulated and applied.

  • Dryness or tightness
  • Temporary stinging on freshly shaved or broken skin
  • Mild redness or irritation in very sensitive skin
  • Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to passionfruit or related plants
  • Excessive dryness when layered with strong acids or alcohol-heavy products

If any discomfort, redness or swelling appears, stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 1 / 5 – Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit is made up mainly of water, sugars, mild acids and tannins with virtually no heavy oils or waxes that could clog pores. Its gentle astringent nature can even help keep sebum from sitting on the skin too long. For these reasons it earns a low score of 1, meaning it is very unlikely to trigger clogged pores or blackheads.

This makes the ingredient generally suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin. The only caveat is that formulas pairing the fruit with richer butters or comedogenic oils will take on the rating of those added ingredients.

Summary

Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit serves one main cosmetic purpose: it acts as a mild astringent. Natural tannins in the pulp gently contract skin proteins which helps refine the look of pores reduce surface shine and leave a fresh non-greasy feel.

Outside of niche tropical beauty traditions it is not yet a headline ingredient which means it shows up less often than better-known actives like witch hazel or green tea. Still, formulators who want a plant-based astringent without alcohol value its skin-friendly profile.

Safety data and long-time folk use both point to a very low risk of adverse effects when properly formulated. As with any new product though it is smart to do a small patch test first to ensure personal compatibility.

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