What it is
Aphanothece sacrum polysaccharide, commonly called sacran, is a large sulfated polysaccharide produced by a freshwater cyanobacterium traditionally cultivated in Japan. In skincare it is used as a humectant and film-forming conditioning agent that helps support skin hydration and a smooth surface feel. It is typically used at low concentrations because of its very high water-binding capacity.
Safety & warnings
Sacran is generally well tolerated at the low concentrations used in cosmetics and is valued for its gentle, hydrating character. As with other large polysaccharides, it functions mainly at the skin surface.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; extracted from the freshwater cyanobacterium Aphanothece sacrum (Suizenji nori), which is cultivated in Japan.
History
The source organism, Suizenji nori, has a long history of cultivation in Japan as an edible freshwater alga, and sacran was later characterized and adopted as a cosmetic polysaccharide.
Questions everyone asks
What is sacran?
Sacran is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide from a Japanese freshwater cyanobacterium, used as a hydrating, film-forming ingredient.
Why is sacran used in skincare?
It binds water effectively, acting as a humectant and conditioning agent that supports a smooth, hydrated skin feel.