undefined 1
undefined 2
undefined 3
undefined 4
undefined 5
carrageenan
AKA “Carrageenan”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
carrageenan
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 1
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Occlusive
Skin Conditioner
Marine
Synthetic
Clean
Red algae extract that helps smooth and hydrate skin by creating a protective layer. Sourced from oceans worldwide, it's naturally derived and gentle.
CAS #
9000-07-1
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Viscosity Controlling
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Antioxidant
Protects skin from free radical damage caused by UV, pollution, and stress
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Hydrates skin
Soothes inflammation
Provides antioxidant protection
Supports skin barrier
Traditional Use
Extracted from red seaweed and used traditionally in Irish and Scottish coastal communities as a food thickener and folk remedy for coughs. Adopted in 20th-century cosmetics as a natural gelling and thickening agent.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 2%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 680).
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Calcium Carrageenan
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
carrageenan
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Carrageenan
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Potassium Carrageenan
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Potassium Undecylenoyl Carrageenan
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sodium Carrageenan
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sodium/TEA-Undecylenoyl Carrageenan
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Calcium Carrageenan
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
carrageenan
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Sodium Carrageenan
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Biochemical Characteristics and Potential Biomedical Applications of Hydrolyzed Carrageenans.
Humayun S, Premarathna AD, Rjabovs V, Howlader MM, Darko CNS et al.
Marine drugs, 2023
→
Kappaphycus alvarezii as a renewable source of kappa-carrageenan and other cosmetic ingredients.
Nurani W, Anwar Y, Batubara I, Arung ET, Fatriasari W
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2024
→
Physicochemical characterization of sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) and κ-carrageenan.
Ortiz-Tafoya MC, Tecante A
Data in brief, 2018
→
Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications.
Prajapati VD, Maheriya PM, Jani GK, Solanki HK
Carbohydrate polymers, 2014
→
Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications.
Prajapati VD, Maheriya PM, Jani GK, Solanki HK
Carbohydrate polymers, 2014
→
Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications.
Prajapati VD, Maheriya PM, Jani GK, Solanki HK
Carbohydrate polymers, 2014
→
Immunomodulation by xylan and carrageenan-type polysaccharides from red seaweeds: Anti-inflammatory, wound healing, cytoprotective, and anticoagulant
Premarathna AD, Ahmed TAE, Rjabovs V, Hammami R, Critchley AT et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2024
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR