How to Use Xanthan Gum in Cosmetics

Xanthan gum is a biochemical product, made in nature as a fungus that grows on plant crops such as broccoli, wheat and corn. The natural product is bio-chemically synthesized in the chemist laboratory to create large efficient commercial batches of the gum. The gum has many practical uses in the food and cosmetic industry.

Xanthan gum acts as a stabilizer that controls the mixing stability of particles in a solution. Any type of pigment that needs to be contained and mixed into a liquid or semi-liquid solution would benefit from xanthan gum.

• Add xanthan gum to a foundation with pigment to help keep the pigment even when applying onto the face and neck region while pouring smoothly.


• Lipsticks that have color pigments that are held in a solution, especially the lipsticks in cream or liquid extra moisturizing varieties.


• Eye shadows have a high concentration of pigment with oil, liquid base that would need the suspension properties of xanthan gum.


• Any cosmetics for allergy related treatments, moisturizers for example, use a corn product rather then wheat for a base oil would use xanthan since the gum can be produce either in a wheat, corn, soy or whey solution.


• Xanthan also functions as a gel in certain hair, skin and body products. The gum is a binder and is able to bind water, oils and other products for adhesion, as in a hair gel.


• There are endless possibilities for xanthan gum in cosmetic products development. Including some of the more elaborate and intense special effects from Hollywood's makeup department.

Xanthan gum acts as a stabilizer that controls the mixing stability of particles in a solution. Any type of pigment that needs to be contained and mixed into a liquid or semi-liquid solution would benefit from xanthan gum.