Propylene Glycol Alginate
AKA “Alginate Propylene Glycol Derivative”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Propylene glycol alginate
AKA: Alginate Propylene Glycol Derivative
Ingredient · Binding · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Marine
Clean
Alginic acid, ester with 1,2-propanediol
CAS #
9005-37-2
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Binding
Viscosity Controlling
Boosts Collagen
Wound Healing
Anti-Inflammatory
Holds ingredients together
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Created in the mid-20th century by chemically modifying sodium alginate (a natural extract from brown seaweed). Used in cosmetics from the 1960s as a thickener and stabilizer, combining the gelling properties of seaweed-derived alginates with synthetic propylene glycol.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 2%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 680).
Regulatory Agencies
Propylene Glycol Alginate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Propylene Glycol Alginate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
The Inhibitory Effect of Propylene Glycol Alginate Sodium Sulfate on Fibroblast Growth Factor 2-Mediated Angiogenesis and Invasion in Murine Melanoma
Ma H, Qiu P, Xu H, Xu X, Xin M et al.
Marine drugs, 2019
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR