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Skincare Ingredient

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Carrageenan

In Skincare: Is Carrageenan Safe? Comedogenic Rating & Side Effects

Safety (overall safety)
2/5 — Low risk
Irritancy (skin irritation)
2/5 — Low risk

Safety Information

Carrageenan is considered generally safe for use in cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. However, degraded forms of carrageenan, such as poligeenan, are not used in personal care products and have been associated with higher irritation potential. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates carrageenan with a moderate health concern due to limited evidence of gastrointestinal effects in animal studies, though topical use is not linked to these concerns.

Key Benefits

What Carrageenan does for your skin

1 benefits
Hydration

Overview

Ingredient Profile

This ingredient, derived from seaweed, functions as a thickening agent in skincare formulations. It also possesses humectant properties, helping to attract and retain moisture on the skin's surface. Its primary role is to improve product texture and contribute to hydration.
Classifications
Texture Enhancer
Plant Extracts

Data & Research

Scientific Facts

Carrageenans are large, flexible molecules that form helical structures. This structure allows them to create gels at room temperature. They are also known for their shear-thinning behavior – meaning they become thinner when agitated or under stress and then return to a thicker consistency once the stress is removed.

Common Uses

Formulation in Carrageenan

Carrageenan and its salts are utilized in cosmetic formulations for their thickening and stabilizing properties. They form gels at room temperature due to their unique molecular structure, which allows them to thin under shear stress and then regain viscosity when the stress is removed. This characteristic makes it suitable for products requiring easy pumping and subsequent thickening during application.

Products

containing Carrageenan

1480 formulations
Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Elixir
Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Elixir
La Prairie · serums-treatment
Hydra Eye Gel
Hydra Eye Gel
Sukin · eye-lip-care
Almond & Honey Face Scrub
Almond & Honey Face Scrub
Mario Badescu · exfoliators
Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream
Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream
Weleda · moisturizer
Sun Pigment Control Tinted Light SPF 50+
Sun Pigment Control Tinted Light SPF 50+
Eucerin · sunscreen
Skin Caviar Liquid Lift Serum
Skin Caviar Liquid Lift Serum
La Prairie · serums-treatment
Co-Mingle
Co-Mingle
LUSH · body-skincare
Do Not Age with Dr. Brandt Transforming Pearl Serum
Do Not Age with Dr. Brandt Transforming Pearl Serum
Dr. Brandt Skincare · serums-treatment
Sensitive Eye Cream
Sensitive Eye Cream
Burt's Bees · eye-lip-care
Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 30
Sun Gel-Cream Oil Control SPF 30
Eucerin · sunscreen
See all products with Carrageenan
Semantic Analysis

Similar Ingredients

Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carrageenan — common questions

What is Carrageenan in skincare?

Carrageenan is a polysaccharide derived from red seaweed (specifically, members of the Gigartinaceae or Solieriaceae families within the Rodophyceae algae group). Calcium, potassium, and sodium carrageenan are salts of the original carrageenan molecule. It's used in cosmetics and personal care products such as toothpastes, shaving creams, shampoos, and cleansing formulations.

What does Carrageenan do? / Functions of Carrageenan?

Carrageenan serves various roles in formulations.

What is the comedogenic rating of Carrageenan? / Is Carrageenan comedogenic?

The comedogenic rating of Carrageenan has not been established in our database.

Does it clog pores?
No Rating Available

Whether Carrageenan clogs pores depends on the formulation and concentration.

Is Carrageenan safe for skin?
2 2/5 — Low risk

Carrageenan has a safety rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally considered safe for most skin types. Note: Carrageenan is considered generally safe for use in cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. However, degraded forms of carrageenan, such as poligeenan, are not used in personal

Is Carrageenan good for sensitive skin?
2 2/5 — Low risk

Carrageenan has an irritancy rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally well-tolerated.

What are the side effects of Carrageenan in skincare?

Known considerations: Carrageenan is considered generally safe for use in cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. However, degraded forms of carrageenan, such as poligeenan, are not used in personal care products and have been associated with higher irritation potential. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates carrageenan with a moderate health concern due to limited evidence of gastrointestinal effects in animal studies, though topical use is not linked to these concerns.

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