Sodium Carrageenan is the sodium salt of carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide derived from selected red seaweed species. It is a water-compatible polysaccharide used in cosmetic formulations for viscosity control, emulsion stabilization, film formation and binding. COSMILE Europe identifies Sodium Carrageenan as a cosmetic ingredient with antistatic, binding, emulsion-stabilizing, film-forming and viscosity-controlling functions.
Carrageenan is a naturally derived polysaccharide obtained from red seaweed. Conversion into its sodium salt produces Sodium Carrageenan, which has different ionic characteristics from the parent carrageenan material.
The sodium form can be useful in aqueous cosmetic systems where controlled hydration, viscosity and formulation stability are required.
Sodium Carrageenan can increase or modify the viscosity of water-containing formulations. Its rheological behavior depends on concentration, molecular weight, ionic strength, pH, temperature and the particular grade.
Sodium Carrageenan can contribute to emulsion stability by modifying the continuous aqueous phase and increasing formulation consistency. COSMILE Europe lists emulsion stabilising among its cosmetic functions.
Sodium Carrageenan can form a continuous film on suitable surfaces and is therefore used in cosmetic formulations where film-forming properties are desirable.
Sodium Carrageenan can be evaluated in creams, lotions, gels, masks and other skin-care formulations. Its main formulation contribution is associated with viscosity control, stabilization, binding and film formation.
Sodium Carrageenan can be used in selected shampoos, conditioners and other hair-care formulations. Its film-forming and viscosity-controlling characteristics can contribute to formulation texture and product consistency.
Depending on grade and formulation conditions, Sodium Carrageenan can contribute to gel structure and viscosity. Its final performance depends on concentration, ionic environment and the type of carrageenan used to produce the sodium salt.
Carrageenan is a broader group of sulfated polysaccharides obtained from red seaweed. Sodium Carrageenan specifically refers to the sodium salt of carrageenan.
Therefore, Sodium Carrageenan should be maintained as a separate ingredient identity from generic Carrageenan, Kappa Carrageenan, Iota Carrageenan and Lambda Carrageenan when creating a product database.
Kappa, Iota and Lambda describe different structural forms of carrageenan.
Sodium Carrageenan instead identifies the sodium salt form of carrageenan. The functional characteristics of a particular Sodium Carrageenan grade can therefore depend on which carrageenan structure is present and how the material has been processed.
Sodium Carrageenan is a polymeric material and does not have one simple fixed molecular weight applicable to all grades. Viscosity, sulfate content, moisture, ash, pH, molecular-weight distribution and hydration characteristics can vary according to the source and manufacturing process.
The exact formulation behavior should therefore be evaluated using the specific grade's TDS and COA.
Sodium Carrageenan can be evaluated in:
Sodium Carrageenan is the sodium salt of carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide obtained from red seaweed.
The primary CAS number is 9061-82-9. Some cosmetic ingredient databases also list 60616-95-7 for Sodium Carrageenan.
The INCI name is Sodium Carrageenan.
It is derived from carrageenan, which originates from red seaweed, but Sodium Carrageenan specifically represents the sodium salt form.
It is used for viscosity controlling, emulsion stabilization, film forming, binding and antistatic functions.
Yes. It can increase or modify viscosity in suitable aqueous cosmetic formulations.
Yes. COSMILE Europe identifies film forming as one of its cosmetic functions.
Yes. It can support emulsion stability and is classified as an emulsion-stabilizing cosmetic ingredient.
Carrageenan is the broader sulfated polysaccharide material, while Sodium Carrageenan specifically represents its sodium salt.
No. It is a polymeric polysaccharide and its molecular characteristics vary according to grade and source.
Important parameters include viscosity, moisture, sulfate content, ash, pH, molecular-weight characteristics, solubility, purity and microbiological quality.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |