Agar
INCI: AGAR
A polysaccharide derived from seaweed that stabilises and thickens skincare formulations
Best For Skin Types
All
Usage Frequency
As directed by product instructions
What Is Agar?
Agar is a gelatinous polysaccharide extracted from red and brown seaweed. In skincare, it functions primarily as a thickening and binding agent, helping to create the desired texture and consistency of products whilst maintaining stability during storage and use.
Rather than delivering active benefits to the skin itself, agar works behind the scenes in formulation. It allows skincare makers to achieve the right viscosity and texture, making products easier to apply and use effectively. It appears in approximately 0.4% of skincare products on the market.
How It Works
Agar absorbs water and forms a gel-like matrix within a product. This increases viscosity, meaning the product becomes thicker and more stable. The seaweed-derived polymer holds other ingredients in suspension, preventing them from settling or separating.
From a user perspective, this means your product maintains an even consistency from first use to last, and applies smoothly across the skin without clumping or uneven distribution.
Clinical Evidence & References
The evidence for agar in skincare formulation is primarily technical rather than clinical. Research demonstrates its effectiveness as a stabilising and thickening agent in laboratory and industrial settings. However, direct evidence of skin health benefits from agar itself is limited, as most of its role is structural rather than therapeutic.
Agar has been studied in medical contexts for its ability to support microbial analysis of skin samples, which suggests biocompatibility with skin, though this does not translate to specific skincare claims.
Published Research
How to Use
Agar is an ingredient you won't notice working — that's the point. Simply use your agar-containing product as directed. Since it primarily affects texture and stability, the key is ensuring the product remains well-mixed before each application. If a product has separated slightly during storage, gentle shaking should redistribute the agar gel matrix.
Safety & Precautions
How widely it's used
Regulatory information
Standardised cosmetic-ingredient identifiers used by regulators.
Show identifiers
- INCI Name
- AGAR
- EC Number
- 232-658-1
- Pharmacopoeia Name
- agar
- Function
- Binding, Masking, Viscosity Controlling
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