Xanthan gum

Xanthan is one of the most common and used natural thickeners, stabilizers and gelling agents.

Features of Xanthan Gum

INCI: Xanthan Gum Appearance: free-flowing powder, creamy-white to grayish-brown in color, odorless and tasteless Country of origin: China Chemical formula: (C35H49O29)n Food additive: e415 pH: 7.19 Viscosity, cPs: 1433 Solubility: oil, glycerin, swells in water Production method: fermentation of sucrose/glucose using bacteria Xanthomonas campestris Synonyms: corn sugar gum, xanthan wax, xanthan gum, stabilizer e415

What is gum?

Simply put, gum can be called the sticky sap that we have all seen on the bark of trees.

In scientific words, it is a carbohydrate in the liquid that comes out of plants during diseases or mechanical damage.

There are botanical gums (guar, carob) and microbial gums, such as xanthan gum.

What is xanthan gum? It is a polysaccharide that is produced industrially on a very large scale.

Xanthan gum is obtained during the fermentation process (up to 4 days) of the original products, during further processing, filtration and drying.

The cost of xanthan gum, in addition to its high ability to stabilize and retain moisture, influences its widespread use in the food industry.

The well-known additive E415 is found in mayonnaise, ketchup, yoghurt, ice cream, canned food and minced meat. Xanthan is added to confectionery products (jam, marmalade, jelly) and bakery products.

The food additive e415 is approved for use in Ukraine, the USA, Russia, Japan, and also in other countries. The harm of xanthan gum to the human body has no scientific evidence.

Officially, xanthan gum is considered a safe component with a low level of allergenicity.

In addition to the cosmetic and food industries, xanthan gum is used for oil drilling, in agriculture for spraying, in the textile and pharmaceutical industries.

The mass production method of xanthan directly affected the price of xanthan gum. It always remains low enough and accessible for regular use of gum. Individual masters in the production of home cosmetics, as well as large mass-market manufacturers, work with it.

Xanthan “gum” is especially valued in cosmetics due to its excellent ability to stabilize emulsions, that is, to hold particles in solutions.

Xanthan gum in cosmetology

Xanthan is prized in the world of cosmetics for several reasons. Let us highlight the main properties of xanthan gum:

chemical stability when interacting with alcohols, acids, salts, enzymes; operating mode in a very wide temperature range (-20°С - +120°С); stable viscosity in the pH range 2-12; goes well with other stabilizers and thickeners.

The peculiarity of the interaction between xanthan gum and guar gum has long been noticed. They reinforce each other. The result is a more viscous solution than when each gum is used separately.

The traditional ratio of xanthan to guar is 2:8. This combination is used not only in industry, but in the world of cosmetology. Xanthan also works well in combination with sodium alginate in a ratio of 1:2 and chitosan in a ratio of 1:3.

Xanthan is great for:

creams, masks and other moisturizers; sun protection line and after-sun products; detergents, gels and foams for face and body, scrubs; bath foam and shaving foam; mouth rinses and toothpastes; gels for intimate hygiene; cleansing hair care products; mascara and other makeup products.

Xanthan in cosmetics:

improves the texture of the substance, making it pleasant to the touch; prevents emulsion separation and precipitation of individual components; forms transparent gels; provides very good glide; creates a protective film and prevents moisture evaporation (it is important not to exceed the dosage); provides light lifting of the skin, increases elasticity, firmness; increases the shelf life of the product; protects hair from splitting, strengthens it along its entire length.

Input percentage: 0.1-0.5; sometimes up to 5%

0.5-1% moisturizers, fluids, milk; up to 5% hair care products.

Method of introduction: xanthan is gradually introduced into the aqueous phase, mixing thoroughly. At a dosage of more than 1% it creates a gel mass. It is better to stir the mass with a mixer or blender, gradually adding gum powder. The mass will swell completely after 10-15 minutes.

Exceeding the recommended dose in the recipe can cause excessive drying of the skin and a feeling of a thick film on the surface.

Features: it dissolves well in glycerin and oils, it is most convenient to work with hot solutions

Storage conditions for xanthan gum: keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Xanthan gum (resin) can be bought in Ukraine (Kyiv) at Aromasoap, and you can also easily buy xanthan in Krasnodar, St. Petersburg using our delivery.

You can check the availability, shelf life, features of use, and also buy xanthan gum in one click in Aromasoap.