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MAGNESIUM ALGINATE.

Valuable CAS 37251-44-8 / BINDING, EMULSION STABILISING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Magnesium Alginate is a water-soluble polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed, serving as a versatile ingredient in precision skincare. It acts as an effective humectant to enhance skin hydration, while also stabilizing product textures and improving overall formulation integrity.

Humectant Gelling Agent Consistency Regulator Binding Agent Emulsion Stabilizer

Science

Magnesium Alginate functions primarily as a humectant, drawing moisture from the environment to maintain skin hydration. Within cosmetic formulations, it is a key gelling agent, consistency regulator, and binding agent, significantly improving product texture and ensuring the cohesion of powdered ingredients. It also supports emulsion formation, contributing to enhanced product stability. In a broader context, alginates are recognized for their use in wound dressings, where they create a moist microenvironment and promote tissue regeneration. The magnesium ions within Magnesium Alginate are thought to inhibit epidermal differentiation and promote cell migration, suggesting potential benefits for early-stage skin healing, and may offer protective effects. Its comparatively reduced viscosity allows for slower gelation, resulting in softer, more robust gels.


Research

Low confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A


Transparency

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH 5.5 – 10
0 7 14

Stability

Magnesium Alginate is a white to light yellow, odorless powder. Its solutions exhibit stability within a pH range of 5.5 to 10.0 at room temperature, however, gelation will occur below pH 5.5. Dried alginates are susceptible to natural degradation when exposed to heat, oxygen, and metallic ions, with higher viscosity variants degrading more rapidly.

Conflicts

  • Strong oxidizing agents
  • Strong acids
  • Strong bases
  • Polyvalent metal ions

Safety

CIR Status
Safe as used
Sensitization risk Low

The CIR Expert Panel concluded Magnesium Alginate is safe for cosmetic use under current practices and concentrations (Final Report 9/2015). The ingredient is deemed non-toxic and biocompatible, with FDA approval for various applications across food, medicine, and supplements. It exhibits a favorable safety profile in pharmaceutical preparations.


Your Skin

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
Yes Oily
Yes Sensitive
Irritancy Unknown
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Valuable

Magnesium Alginate is a valuable multi-functional ingredient, providing humectant benefits for skin hydration and significant formulation advantages as a stabilizer and texturizer, with a robust safety profile across all skin types.


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