Cosmetics · Marine ingredients
Alginic Acid
アルギン酸 (Aruginsan)
Also known as: Sodium Alginate, Algin
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Alginic Acid / Sodium Alginate |
| Japanese labeling name | アルギン酸 / アルギン酸Na |
| Common Japanese notations | アルギン酸, アルギン酸Na |
| Origin | Marine (polysaccharide from brown seaweeds, primarily kombu) |
| Typical functions | Viscosity modifier, Film former, Gelling agent |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Food additive regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic use is listed in the JSCI dictionary. |
Alginic acid is a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of brown seaweeds, including the kombu that is a foundation of Japanese cuisine. Commercially extracted primarily for food and cosmetic use, it is one of the most-used marine-derived ingredients across industries.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Face masks (peel-off types)
- Food additive (thickening)
- Hair and body products
What it is
Alginic acid and its sodium salt (sodium alginate) are produced by alkaline extraction of brown seaweeds, followed by acidification or salt exchange. The molecular weight and M/G block ratio (mannuronic to guluronic acid) varies by source seaweed and affects gelling behavior.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In cosmetics, sodium alginate is used in peel-off face masks, viscosity-modified gels, and some hair products.
In food, alginate is a common thickener and gelling agent used across many product categories.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Food additive use regulated under Food Sanitation Act; cosmetic use under JSCI dictionary.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | E400 for food additive. Cosmetic listed in CosIng. |
|---|---|
| USA | GRAS for food. Cosmetic INCI recognized. |
| China | Permitted. |
| Korea | Permitted. |
Example products
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Related ingredients
References
- JSCI labeling name directory — アルギン酸
- EU CosIng entry: Alginic Acid
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.