Carrageenan in Makeup

Did you know there might be seaweed in your favorite makeup products? After discovering how much was in skin care, I took a look into what makeup contains it as well. Carrageenan is a controversial seaweed that’s in a ton of everyday products. Unfortunately for me, I’m allergic to carrageenan and it causes severe allergic reactions. Also known as red seaweed, chondrus crispus, Irish moss, and several other names, it can be really difficult to spot in an ingredients label.

Carrageenan is a seaweed by-product used to thicken and stabilize products. It’s often used as a plant based gelatin substitute. In the context of makeup, carrageenan can be found in numerous product categories. I’ve seen it mostly in liquid foundations, foundation primers, and metallic gel-powder highlighters. Over the last few years, I’ve been gathering a list of 50+ products I’ve found it in. I wanted to share the list if you’re also trying to avoid it, since I had an overwhelming response to the list of food, beverages, and skin care with carrageenan I’m avoiding. Here is the makeup product list by brand based on current ingredient information.

Makeup Containing Carrageenan

• Algenist Color Correcting Finishing Powder
• Algenist REVEAL Color Correcting Radiant Primer
• Almay Healthy Hue Blush
• Anastasia Beverly Hills x Amrezy Highlighter (DISCONTINUED)
• Artist Couture Diamond Luxe Luminizer Pressed Highlighter
• BareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE Hydrating Foundation Stick
• Benefit Cosmetics GALifornia Blush
• Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl Liquid Highlighter (DISCONTINUED)
• Benefit Cosmetics Gold Rush Blush
• Benefit Cosmetics Rockateur Blush
• Benefit Cosmetics That Gal Brightening Face Primer
• Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
• Charlotte Tilbury Bar Of Gold Highlighting Palette
• Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm Palette (DISCONTINUED)
• Chella Water Resistant Mascara
• Ciaté London Glow-To Illuminating Blush
• Clinique Cheek Pop Blush
• Clinique Lid Pop Eyeshadow
• Dior BACKSTAGE Glow Face Palette
• Dior Diorskin Nude Luminizer Shimmering Glow Powder
• Givenchy Healthy Glow Bronzer
• Givenchy Teint Couture Shimmer Highlighter
• ILIA True Skin Radiant Priming Serum
• IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Primer
• Jeffree Star Cosmetics Supreme Frost Highlight
• Kjaer Weis Lengthening Mascara
• La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
• Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
• Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder
• Laura Mercier Secret Blurring Powder
• MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish Highlighter
• Make Up For Ever Pro Fusion Bronzer
• Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter
• Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Highlight
• Milani Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray
• Milani The Violet One Lash Primer
• NARS Exposed Cheek Palette
• NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
• NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer
• Natasha Denona Low Glow Cheek Palette
• Pat McGrath Labs Mothership II Eyeshadow Palette
• Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Skin Highlighting Trio
• Revlon PhotoReady Candid Moisture Glow Foundation
• Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation
• Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream
• Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Setting Powder
• Tom Ford Sheer Highlighting Duo
• Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo
• Too Faced Diamond Light Highlighter
• Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Highlighting Palette
• ULTA Matte Makeup Setting Spray

Watch one of my latest videos where I discuss a few products that I wanted to try, but ultimately had to pass on given my carrageenan allergy. As I continue to find products to add to this list, I plan on doing another video on this subject in my Makeup Minimalism series. Subscribe so you don’t miss it!

I’ve either used or stumbled upon the above products and have since removed them from my routine. My skin is extremely sensitive so reading ingredient lists is the first thing I do when considering anything new.

Did you learn something new? I hope this helps anyone suffering from allergies or sensitivities to carrageenan. If you enjoy this content, definitely browse through some of my other makeup and skin care posts before you go.