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Agar

Polysaccharide from red algae – a gelling agent. Used as a thickener and film-former in masks. Pregnancy-safe.

Supporting ingredient

It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below

Tolerability and safety

Irritation potential
Low
Allergen risk
Low
Pregnancy
Safe
Suitable for
Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive

About this ingredient

Agar is a polysaccharide obtained from red algae (Gelidium, Gracilaria). INCI: Agar. Consists of agarose and agaropectin. Food status E406. In cosmetics it works as a gelling agent, especially in peel-off masks and gelled products. Agar gels are firmer than xanthan gum gels. Use levels run from 0.5 to 3%. Pregnancy safety. There is no systemic absorption. Skin profile. Very low irritation and allergen potential. Non-comedogenic. Suitable for all skin types.

Frequently asked questions

Is Agar safe during pregnancy?

Agar is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.

What skin types is Agar for?

Agar suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.

What is Agar and what does it do in cosmetics?

Polysaccharide from red algae – a gelling agent.

Is Agar comedogenic?

On the Fulton scale 0/5 – non-comedogenic. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.

What's the INCI name for Agar?

The INCI name is Agar. It may also appear as: Agar-Agar.

See Agar in a product composition right on the store page

The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.

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Similar role in the formula

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