The ingredient, explained

Agar

Agar has a published cosmetic safety assessment.

BindingMaskingViscosity controlling

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Agar

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Binding: Helps the components of a product hold together.
Masking: Reduces or conceals the formula's underlying odour or taste.
Viscosity controlling: Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Safety assessment

The assessment reviews agar-specific oral toxicology and group cosmetic safety evidence under the described uses.

What this does not tell us

Agar-specific oral toxicology and polysaccharide group read-across support a safety assessment, not a human trial of agar skin benefits. Agarose and modified agar derivatives are distinct preparations; oral findings do not establish topical efficacy.

Sources for this summary. Published source ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective screening of 3 local candidates and reuse of the final primary report after checking its explicit exact member list.