A skin-protecting alkalinity-controlling composition comprising one or more carboxylic acid polysaccharides selected from alginic acid esters. Said compositions are capable of providing buffering and thus avoiding a major increase in the pH of an aqueous system and/or are capable of reducing the pH of aqueous systems, in which alkalinity is formed as a result of chemical and/or biological reactions. The compositions may be used in personal care products, such as skin creams, lotions, hygiene products, wound care products, fabric treating products etc.
