Thickener

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener from bacterial fermentation — the most popular natural substitute for synthetic thickeners. Xanthan Gum provides a soft texture to cosmetics, stabilizes emulsions, and is a basic ingredient in "clean" cosmetics.

Natural thickenerFermentationStabilizerclean beauty
✓ Safe
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
Irritation Potential
0/5

What is it?

Xanthan Gum — a polysaccharide biopolymer produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas Campestris through the fermentation of glucose. It is a food thickener (E415). Pseudoplastic rheology: viscous at rest, liquid when sheared — provides pleasant application. In INCI: Xanthan Gum.

A standard thickener in natural and organic cosmetics, K-beauty toners, and essences. An alternative to carbomer in "natural" and COSMOS-certified products.

Key Benefits

Natural origin (COSMOS compatible)
Obtained through fermentation — allowed in certified organic cosmetics COSMOS. A choice of formulators for natural products.
Pseudoplastic texture
Becomes liquid upon application (shear thinning) and thickens at rest — easy to apply and evenly distributed, then holds on the skin.
Emulsion stabilization
Holds water and oil phases together — effectively stabilizes cream and lotion formulas without additional synthetic stabilizers.

Suitable for

Suitable for all skin types

Main Actions

✓ Thickening✓ Emulsion stabilization✓ Natural texture✓ Rheological control
Xanthan Gum vs Carbomer

Xanthan Gum — natural (fermented), gentler, COSMOS approved. Carbomer — synthetic polymer, clearer gels, more controlled viscosity. In "clean" cosmetics — xanthan gum, in classic — carbomer or both together.

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