carrageenan
molecular structure · PubChem
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Marine
Clean
Carrageenan Carrageenin Chondrus Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan)
CAS #
9000-07-1
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.
Antioxidant
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.
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