Cosmetics · Marine ingredients
Alginic Acid
アルギン酸 (Aruginsan)
Also known as: Sodium Alginate, Algin
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| 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.
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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
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Face masks (peel-off types)
- Food additive (thickening)
- Hair and body products
Ingredient profile
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.
OEM applications
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. |
Market reference formulations
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All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Alginic Acid?
- 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.
- What is the regulatory status of Alginic Acid in Japan?
- Food additive regulated under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic use is listed in the JSCI dictionary.
- What products typically use Alginic Acid?
- Face masks (peel-off types) / Food additive (thickening) / Hair and body products
- Where does Alginic Acid come from?
- Marine (polysaccharide from brown seaweeds, primarily kombu)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Alginic Acid?
- INCI: Alginic Acid / Sodium Alginate / JSCI: アルギン酸 / アルギン酸Na
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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. Should we use Alginic Acid or Sodium Alginate for cosmetic formulation?
Sodium Alginate is the more common form for cosmetic use because it is water-soluble and easier to disperse; Alginic Acid itself is largely insoluble in cold water. For peel-off/algae-mask powders, calcium alginate or alginate-calcium-sulfate systems are used to control gel set time.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- CosIng database — Alginic Acid / Sodium Alginate / Calcium Alginate entries
Q. What is the regulatory status of alginates in cosmetics globally?
Alginates are accepted cosmetic ingredients in EU, US, Japan, China, and Korea with no use-level restriction in cosmetics. Food-grade alginate (E400-E404) is also widely permitted, which matters for lip products and certain oral-care formats.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- CosIng database — Alginic acid / Sodium alginate
- EU Food Additive Regulation — E400-E404 alginates
Q. What sourcing/origin grades are available for cosmetic-grade sodium alginate?
Most commercial sodium alginate is extracted from brown seaweeds (Laminaria, Macrocystis, Lessonia, Ascophyllum) sourced from Japan, China, Norway, Chile, and France. Cosmetic-grade typically meets food-grade purity (USP/EP/JP standards) with low heavy-metal content; viscosity grades range from low (<100 cP) to high (>1000 cP at 1%).
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- USP-NF / Japanese Pharmacopoeia — Sodium Alginate monograph
Q. What are common formulation pitfalls with sodium alginate?
Sodium alginate is sensitive to multivalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) which trigger gelation, so hard-water and calcium-rich formulas may unintentionally gel. It is also pH-sensitive (precipitates below pH ~3.5) and degrades at prolonged high temperatures.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- USP-NF Sodium Alginate monograph — solubility/stability data
- Industry technical data — alginate manufacturers (e.g., Kimica, Cargill)
Use cases
Peel-off rubber/algae face mask
- Positioning
- Spa / pro-channel mask treatment
- Typical usage level
- 20-60% sodium alginate in the powder mix
- Formulation notes
- Combine with calcium sulfate as set-time regulator; mixed with water at point of use
Sources
- Industry technical literature — Alginate spa-mask formulation (Kimica technical bulletin)
Hydrating sleeping mask / gel cream
- Positioning
- Daily-use moisturizing gel
- Typical usage level
- 0.3-1.0% sodium alginate as viscosity modifier
- Formulation notes
- Avoid divalent cation contamination; combine with xanthan/HA for synergy
Sources
- Industry knowledge — gel mask formulation
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Hair styling gel
- Positioning
- Natural / botanical hair styling
- Typical usage level
- 0.5-1.5%
- Formulation notes
- Provides clean film without acrylate-resin feel
Sources
- Industry knowledge — natural hair styling formulation
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Toothpaste / oral care
- Positioning
- Natural / fluoride-optional toothpaste
- Typical usage level
- 1-3% as binder/thickener
- Formulation notes
- Food-grade alginate is preferred; compatible with most active systems
Sources
- Industry knowledge — natural toothpaste formulation
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) 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.