Xanthan Gum Powder (Standard Grade) | Natural Thickener & Stabiliser for Cosmetics

Description

Xanthan Gum is a natural thickening ingredient used in the cosmetics industry. It is used to thicken and stabilize a wide range of bath and body care formulations including creams and lotions, serums, black soap, shampoos and conditioners.

Thicken, stabilise and suspend with one ingredient

Xanthan gum is one of the most useful ingredients on a formulator’s shelf. Add a small amount to water and it forms a smooth, slightly viscous gel. It gives body to liquids, holds oil and water together in emulsions, and keeps heavier ingredients from sinking to the bottom.

It is produced by fermenting sugars with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, then drying and milling the result into a fine powder. You only need a little: most formulas use between 0.1% and 1%.

Why formulators choose xanthan gum

• Works at very low usage rates. A small jar goes a long way.
• Dissolves in hot or cold water, so you don’t need a heating step.
• Stable across a wide pH range and with salts, which suits many types of formula.
• Improves emulsion stability. It helps stop creams and lotions from separating.
• Suspends particles, such as botanical powders, clays, exfoliants and pigments.
• Gives a smooth, silky slip and reduces the stickiness of some formulas.
• Plant-friendly and fermentation-derived, so it fits natural-style formulating.

What you can make with xanthan gum

• Clear and opaque gels
• Facial serums and toners
• Body lotions and creams (as a stabiliser alongside your emulsifier)
• Shampoos and body washes (to build viscosity)
• Curl creams, leave-in conditioners and hair gels
• Hair masks and scalp treatments with suspended powders or herbs
• Scrubs and cleansers that need suspended particles
• Water-based sprays that need a little body

Usage rates

Tip: Start low and increase gradually. Using too much gives a stringy, slimy feel, and a little goes a long way.

Formulation Guide: How to use xanthan gum without lumps

Xanthan gum clumps if you pour it straight into water. Use one of these methods instead:

1. Pre-disperse it. Mix the powder with a little glycerine, propylene glycol or a light oil until it forms a slurry. Then add the slurry to your water phase while stirring.
2. Sprinkle and blend. Sprinkle it slowly onto the surface of the water while using a stick blender or mini whisk.
3. Let it hydrate. After mixing, leave it for 15–30 minutes. The gel thickens fully as it hydrates.

Product details

Storage

Keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry place, away from moisture. Xanthan gum absorbs water from the air and will clump if the lid is left open. Always use a dry scoop.

Important notes

• Always include a broad-spectrum preservative in any water-based formula. Xanthan gum is not a preservative.
• Do a small batch first to test the texture and stability of your own formula.
• This product is sold as a raw material for cosmetic formulation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between standard xanthan gum and other grades?
Standard xanthan gum is the regular grade that suits most cosmetic formulas. It needs a bit of care to avoid lumps, but it is cost-effective and widely used.

How much xanthan gum should I use?
Most formulas use 0.1-1%. Start at 0.2-0.3% and adjust to the thickness you want.

Why is my xanthan gum lumpy?
It was probably added directly to water. Pre-mix it with glycerine or oil first, or blend it in while sprinkling slowly.

Can I use it in hair products?
Yes. It is popular in curl creams, hair gels, shampoos and masks, where it adds slip and body.

Do I need to heat the water?
No. It hydrates in cold water, though warm water can speed things up a little.

Can I use it in a water-only gel?
Yes, but you must add a preservative, because water-based products grow mould and bacteria quickly.

Do you deliver outside Abuja?
Yes. We ship nationwide and internationally. Shipping is calculated at checkout.

*NOTE: Colour of this plant-derived product may vary slightly from batch to batch, as nature rarely makes things in exact same copies.

**This is a cosmetic grade product; For external use only (not to be consumed internally/ eaten). Use for formulation of cosmetic and personal care products only.