What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “Alginic acid, sodium salt.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- ALGIN
- CAS number
- 9005-38-3 / 57606-04-9
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Algin in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Fragrance
-
Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
- Viscosity controlling
-
Makes a product thicker or thinner, so a gel holds its shape or a shampoo pours. Gums, cellulose and some salts carry this role.
Register definition: “Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.”
- Binding
-
Holds powders or pressed products together. On a hair label it usually sits beside another listed use.
Register definition: “Providing adhesive properties during and after compression in cosmetic tablets and/or cakes.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (4)
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 32nd of 39 names
- Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask Deep conditioner 14th of 50 names
- Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 16th of 36 names
- Kristin Ess Sea Salt Air Dry Mousse Styler 28th of 47 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other fragrance ingredients on these labels
- Fragrance (Parfum) 133 labels
- Potassium Sorbate 61 labels
- Sodium Benzoate 61 labels
- Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil 32 labels
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride 26 labels
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil 26 labels
- Sodium Chloride 26 labels
- Benzoic Acid 25 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.