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Xanthan Gum
Xanthan Gum · Xanthamgum
Microbial-fermentation polysaccharide. Natural-positioned thickener; pH-tolerant alternative to carbomer.
What it does
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by Xanthomonas campestris fermentation. It thickens water-based formulations and works across a wider pH range than carbomer, which makes it the preferred thickener for low-pH formulations like AHA serums. Common in 'natural' and 'clean' positioned products. Generally well tolerated.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusXanthan gum belongs to the microbial polysaccharide gums, which function in cosmetics as emulsion stabilisers, film formers, binders, viscosity-increasing agents and skin-conditioning agents. Expert-panel review of 34 such gums concluded they are safe at present practices of use and concentration.Fiume 2016 · International journal of toxicology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
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