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The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Dextran

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Dextran

A Gentle, Skin-Conditioning Polysaccharide

Dextran is a naturally derived polysaccharide — a glucose polymer produced by fermentation. In cosmetics it is a multifunctional support ingredient: a skin-conditioning humectant, a binder, and a viscosity / texture modifier that can also serve as a gentle carrier for other actives.

Its hydrophilic, water-loving structure helps hold moisture and gives formulas a smooth, cushioned feel. It is well tolerated and often chosen for gentle, sensitive-skin and hair formulas.

Quick Insights

Ingredient Rating:

GOOD

Type of Ingredient:

Hydrator and Texture Enhancer

Intended Function:

A naturally derived polysaccharide used as a skin-conditioning humectant, texture / viscosity modifier and gentle carrier.

Common Applications:

Used in gentle, sensitive-skin serums and moisturizers, and in hair and scalp formulas for conditioning and texture.

Target Audience:

Brands wanting a gentle, naturally derived polysaccharide that conditions, hydrates and refines texture — and can carry other actives.

Also Known As:

Dextran, Dextran Polysaccharide

Benefits of Dextran

A mild, naturally derived polysaccharide that conditions, hydrates and refines the feel of a formula.

Humectant Hydration: Its water-loving structure binds moisture for a hydrated, cushioned feel.
Texture & Binding: Modifies viscosity and helps bind a formula together for an elegant feel.
Gentle & Well Tolerated: A mild polysaccharide suitable for sensitive-skin formulas.
Carrier & Stabilizer: Can act as a gentle carrier that helps stabilize and deliver other ingredients.
Naturally Derived: Produced by fermentation.

How It Works

Dextran is a branched glucose polymer. Its many hydroxyl groups make it strongly hydrophilic, so it binds and holds water (humectancy) and modifies viscosity and texture. As a large, gentle polysaccharide it also forms a light conditioning layer on the skin or hair surface and can help carry and stabilize other ingredients in the formula.

Formulating with Dextran

Water-soluble; add it to the water phase and use for conditioning, mild texturizing and as a carrier at typical use levels. Confirm compatibility and preservation in the finished formula.

Safety Analysis

Dextran is a well-tolerated, naturally derived polysaccharide with a long record of safe cosmetic use and no notable irritancy concern at normal levels. As always, substantiate the finished product’s safety (e.g. patch / HRIPT testing) in line with MoCRA requirements.

References

https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/dextran

https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/inci-ingredients/dextran

https://incibeauty.com/en/ingredients/14748-dextran

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