Xanthan Gum
What is it?
Xanthan Gum and Biosaccharide Gum-1 are polysaccharides derived from the fermentation of carbohydrates. Xanthan Gum is derived from glucose or corn syrup, while Biosaccharide Gum-1 is derived from sorbitol.
Xanthan Gum and Biosaccharide Gum-1 are used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products including bath products, makeup, skin and hair care products, and toothpaste.
Xanthan Gum and Biosaccharide Gum-1 are used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products including bath products, makeup, skin and hair care products, and toothpaste.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Xanthan Gum on its list of food additives permitted for direct addition to food. In foods, it is permitted to be used as a stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener, suspending agent, bodying agent or foam enhancer. It is also allowed to be used in some processed cheese products. FDA also includes Xanthan Gum on its list of indirect food additives for use in polymers that come in contact with food.
The safety of Xanthan Gum and Biosaccharide Gum-1 has been reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel reviewed the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
The safety of Xanthan Gum and Biosaccharide Gum-1 has been reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel reviewed the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
In cosmetics and personal care products, Xanthan Gum may function as a binder, emulsion stabilizer, skin-conditioning agent – miscellaneous, surfactant - emulsifying agent, or viscosity increasing agent – aqueous. Biosaccharide Gum-1 is reported to function as a skin conditioning agent – miscellaneous.
Scientific facts:
Xanthan Gum and Biosaccharide Gum-1 are both very large molecules with average molecular weights of 1,000,000 or more. Xanthan Gum dissolves readily in water with stirring, resulting in highly viscous solutions at low concentrations.
