Unparalleled Thickening & Stabilizing Agent: Xanthan Gum
Derived from the fermentation of sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthan Gum stands out as a widely-used ingredient in the cosmetic and personal care industry. Its unique rheological properties, mainly its high viscosity and ability to stabilize emulsions, are attributes that product developers frequently seek.

Quick Insights
Ingredient Rating:
GOOD
Type of Ingredient:
Hydrator, Moisturizer, Texture Enhancer, Conditioner, Soother, Barrier Support and Emulsifier
Intended Function:
Improves formula viscosity and stability, enhances spreadability, supports skin hydration by forming a moisture-retaining film, and smooths hair appearance.
Common Applications:
Used in lotions, creams, gels, serums, masks, shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to achieve consistent texture, prevent separation, and improve product feel and performance.
Target Audience:
Ideal for formulators creating gentle, natural, or clean beauty products, particularly those targeting moisturization, sensitive skin, product stability, and high sensory appeal in both skincare and haircare lines.
Also Known As:
Xanthan, Polysaccharide Gum.
Xanthan Gum in Beauty & Personal Care
Xanthan Gum is a popular choice in skincare and haircare formulations due to its exceptional thickening, suspending, and stabilizing characteristics. In skincare, it’s commonly used in lotions, creams, and serums to create a smoother, more spreadable texture. Certainly, its stabilizing properties prevent the separation of ingredients by structuring emulsions.
For haircare, Xanthan Gum acts as a conditioning agent in shampoos and conditioners, making the hair feel softer and more manageable. It also plays a crucial role in styling products, offering natural hold without making the hair feel sticky or heavy.
Xanthan Gum in Household & Wellness
Beyond personal care, Xanthan Gum’s stabilizing and thickening properties make it indispensable in various household products. Its water-retaining capability finds use in household cleaning agents, ensuring they remain uniformly mixed. Moreover, in wellness products, especially those meant for ingestion like health supplements or drink mixes, Xanthan Gum aids in providing a pleasant texture and consistency.
Xanthan Gum in Pet Care Products
Xanthan Gum plays a pivotal role in the formulation of various pet care products. In shampoos and conditioners tailored for pets, it helps achieve the desired consistency, making the application smoother and rinse-off easier. Its thickening properties are especially valued in products like pet lotions and creams, ensuring a uniform spread on the skin. Additionally, its stabilizing nature ensures that the active ingredients in flea or tick treatments remain evenly distributed, providing consistent protection for our furry friends.
Safety Analysis
Dermal Safety: Generally non-irritating and non-comedogenic; tolerated by most skin types including sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Allergen Risk: Rare reactions may occur in individuals allergic to source substrates (corn, soy, wheat, dairy); most commercial grades are purified to remove residual proteins.
Safe Concentrations: Typically used between 0.1 – 1% in formulations; high levels may produce overly thick textures or mild cloudiness, but not toxicity.
Regulatory Compliance: Approved by FDA (GRAS), EFSA (E415), and CIR for use in food and cosmetics; no significant safety restrictions.
Ingestion Caution: While safe topically, ingestion in large amounts can cause digestive upset—irrelevant for topical use.

References
Craft Quality Products with Xanthan Gum
Incorporate Xanthan Gum into your formulations with guidance from FormuNova. We bring expertise to the table, ensuring your products stand out in terms of quality and consistency.
Explore product launch options for your brand today.



Not Quite Ready To Start?
Signup to our newsletter to receive the latest in cosmetic industry trends, expert advice, formulation tips, and insider-only offers.








