Agarose
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Agar polysaccharide, Agarose gel
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Marine
Clean
Agarose is the polysaccharide extracted from the Red Seaweed, Gracilaria, Gelidiaceae
CAS #
9012-36-6
Form
Powder
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
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Isolated from agar in the 1950s for laboratory use. Later adapted for cosmetics in the 1980s-1990s as a natural gelling and thickening agent derived from red algae.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
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 Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR