Ascophyllum nodosum extract
AKA “Alga
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Ascophyllum nodosum extract
AKA: Alga
Synthetic · Antioxidant · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Antioxidant
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Marine
Synthetic
Clean
Brown seaweed from the Irish coast that nourishes and conditions skin, helping it feel soft and hydrated.
Family
Phaeophyceae (Brown Algae)
Plant Part
Thallus
CAS #
84775-78-0
Form
Liquid
See origin →
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.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Antioxidant
Fights free radicals — the unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and stress that break down collagen and cause premature aging.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Modern extraction of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum developed in the 20th century to concentrate its bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, minerals) for use in contemporary skincare formulations.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Dullness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Moderate Irritant
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
UV Photoprotection, Cytotoxicity and Immunology Capacity of Red Algae Extracts.
Álvarez-Gómez F, Korbee N, Casas-Arrojo V, Abdala-Díaz RT, Figueroa FL
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2019
Valorization of the Red Algae Gelidium sesquipedale by Extracting a Broad Spectrum of Minor Compounds Using Green Approaches.
Castejón N, Parailloux M, Izdebska A, Lobinski R, Fernandes SCM
Marine drugs, 2021
Anti-herpetic Activity of Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica Algae Extracts Against HSV-1 and HSV-2.
Castillo E, Duarte LF, Corrales N, Álvarez DM, Farías MA et al.
Frontiers in microbiology, 2020
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Brown Algae-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Red Algae-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Algae Exopolysaccharides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Algae Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Dunaliella Salina (Algae) Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Nannochloropsis oculata (algae) extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Porphyra umbilicalis (red algae) extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Spirulina Platensis [Algae*] Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Algae Peptides
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Chlorella Vulgaris Dermochlorella Algae Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Porphyra umbilicalis (red algae) extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Optimized and standardized isolation and structural characterization of anti-inflammatory sulfated polysaccharides from the red alga Delesseria sangui
Grünewald N, Alban S
Biomacromolecules, 2009
In vivo UVB-photoprotective activity of extracts from commercial marine macroalgae.
Guinea M, Franco V, Araujo-Bazán L, Rodríguez-Martín I, González S
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2012
RALGA (Diacneal), a retinaldehyde and glycolic acid assoc...
A D Katsambas
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland), 2005
The Anti-melanogenesis Activities of Some Selected Red Macroalgae from Northern Coasts of the Persian Gulf.
Namjoyan F, Farasat M, Alishahi M, Jahangiri A, Mousavi H
Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR, 2019
Breeding in the Economically Important Brown Alga Undaria pinnatifida: A Concise Review and Future Prospects.
Shan T, Pang S
Frontiers in genetics, 2021
Screening of Bioactive Properties in Brown Algae from the Northwest Iberian Peninsula.
Silva A, Rodrigues C, Garcia-Oliveira P, Lourenço-Lopes C, Silva SA et al.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 2021
Screening of Bioactive Properties in Brown Algae from the Northwest Iberian Peninsula.
Silva A, Rodrigues C, Garcia-Oliveira P, Lourenço-Lopes C, Silva SA et al.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 2021
Antioxidant screening and phenolic content of ethanol extracts of selected Baja California Peninsula macroalgae.
Tenorio-Rodriguez PA, Murillo-Álvarez JI, Campa-Cordova ÁI, Angulo C
Journal of food science and technology, 2017
Cyanobacteria and Red Macroalgae as Potential Sources of Antioxidants and UV Radiation-Absorbing Compounds for Cosmeceutical Applications.
Vega J, Bonomi-Barufi J, Gómez-Pinchetti JL, Figueroa FL
Marine drugs, 2020
Cyanobacteria and Red Macroalgae as Potential Sources of Antioxidants and UV Radiation-Absorbing Compounds for Cosmeceutical Applications.
Vega J, Bonomi-Barufi J, Gómez-Pinchetti JL, Figueroa FL
Marine drugs, 2020
Comprehensive Extraction and Biological Activities of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids and Glyceroglycolipids Extracts from Two Macroalgae Ecklonia kurome
Wei X, Hu X, Li T, Li Y, Yu Y et al.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 2025
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR