Agar
AKA “9002-18-0, Gelose, Ceylon, Chinese gelatin, Japan isinglass, (2R, 3S, 4S, 5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[[(4R, 5S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2, 6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]oxy]-4-methoxyoxane-3, 5-diol, Bengal gelatin, Layor carang, Bengal isinglass”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Agar
AKA: 9002-18-0, Gelose, Ceylon, Chinese gelatin, Japan isinglass, (2R, 3S, 4S, 5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[[(4R, 5S)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2, 6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]oxy]-4-methoxyoxane-3, 5-diol, Bengal gelatin, Layor carang, Bengal isinglass
Ingredient · Binding · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Marine
Clean
A complex sulfated polymer of galactose units, extracted from Gelidium cartilagineum, Gracilaria confervoides, and related red algae. It is used as a gel in the preparation of solid culture media for microorganisms, as a bulk laxative, in making emulsions, and as a supporting medium for immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis.
Solubility Insoluble in cold water; soluble in boiling water
Formula
C14H24O9
Mol. Weight
336.33
CAS #
9002-18-0
Form
Powder
State
Agar is odourless or has a slight characteristic odour. Unground agar usually occurs in bundles consisting of thin, membranous, agglutinated strips, or in cut, flaked or granulated forms. It may be li
See origin →
Functions
Binding
Viscosity Controlling
Antioxidant
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Provides scent
Holds ingredients together
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Used for over 1,500 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese traditional practices as a gelling agent and skin-soothing ingredient. Historically used in Asian beauty preparations for its moisturizing properties.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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
Agar
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Agarose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Agarum Cribrosum Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Seed Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Seed Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Fragaria Virginiana (Strawberry) Seed Oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Agar
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Agarose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Seed Oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Effect of Different Initial Fermentation pH on Exopolysaccharides Produced by Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans Hao 2018 and Identification of Key Genes I
Ju Y, Shan K, Liu W, Xi C, Zhang Y et al.
Marine drugs, 2022
Extracellular synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticle using seaweeds of gulf of Mannar, India.
Nagarajan S, Arumugam Kuppusamy K
Journal of nanobiotechnology, 2013
Adsorption attributes of β-phosphoborophane nanosheets towards some vapors emitted from cosmetics-a first-principles study.
Nagarajan V, B L, Chandiramouli R
Journal of molecular modeling, 2025
Molecular cloning, characterization and enzymatic properties of a novel βeta-agarase from a marine isolate Psudoalteromonas SP. AG52.
Oh C, Nikapitiya C, Lee Y, Whang I, Kang DH et al.
Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology], 2010
Agarose-silver particles films: Effect of calcium ascorbate in nanoparticles synthesis and film properties.
Onofre-Cordeiro NA, Silva YEO, Solidônio EG, de Sena KXFR, Silva WE et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2018
Antioxidant and Antiaging Properties of Agar Obtained from Brown Seaweed Laminaria digitata (Hudson) in D-Galactose-Induced Swiss Albino Mice.
Reshma BS, Aavula T, Narasimman V, Ramachandran S, Essa MM et al.
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2022
Flavonoid antioxidant silymarin and skin cancer.
Rana P Singh, Rajesh Agarwal
Antioxidants & redox signaling, 2002
Flavonoid antioxidant silymarin and skin cancer.
Rana P Singh, Rajesh Agarwal
Antioxidants & redox signaling, 2002
A comparison of pentane-1,5-diol to other diols for use in dermatology.
Sundberg JJ, Faergemann J
Expert opinion on investigational drugs, 2008
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR