Chitosan
Chitosan is a cosmetic ingredient used as a film forming, hair fixing agent. It is used in 79 products in our dataset. It is regulated in the EU (listed in a Cosmetics Regulation annex). PubMed carries 5,260 studies of its skin or topical use.
| INCI name | CHITOSAN |
| Function | FILM FORMING, HAIR FIXING |
| CAS number | 9012-76-4 |
| Prevalence | 79 products (0.09% of dataset) |
| Most used in | Skincare |
| EU status | Restricted (annex ) |
| Scientific studies | 5,260 on PubMed (skin/cosmetic/topical) |
| Monthly searches | 6,600 |
Used in
Styling Creams & Sprays 15.2%Serums 12.7%Mousse & Foam 10.1%General Moisturizers 7.6%Toners 7.6%Face Cleansers 6.3%
Frequently asked
- What does Chitosan do in skincare?
- Chitosan functions as a film forming, hair fixing agent in cosmetic formulas.
- Is Chitosan allowed in cosmetics?
- Yes, but it is regulated in the EU — it appears in a Cosmetics Regulation annex with usage conditions.
- What products contain Chitosan?
- It is most commonly found in Skincare products, especially styling creams & sprays (15.2% of its uses).
Manufacturers with experience using Chitosan
Match with vetted US contract manufacturers that have hands-on experience formulating with this ingredient.