Hey, you! 2022 is almost over and the final verdict on hair care ingredients is out. It can occasionally feel like you’re back to your chemistry class when you read the ingredient list mentioned on beauty and hair products. Even though it may seem daunting, knowing what ingredients are in the products you use on a daily basis is crucial since it may help you choose which active ingredients will benefit you the most and which to avoid. One ingredient you can count on seeing repeatedly listed on these labels is xanthan gum.
What Is Xanthan Gum?
When a specific kind of bacteria ferments a polysaccharide sugar, xanthan gum is created as a naturally occurring ingredient. Usually, it comes from dairy, soy, wheat, or corn. It works well as a thickening and stabilising ingredient when added to a liquid, which is why personal care products frequently use it. When it comes to hair care products, it delivers a lovely slip and silky feel, helps with product application, and prevents the formula from separating.
Here Are A Few Benefits Of Xanthan Gum For Hair
Despite being the most frequently stated natural ingredient on ingredient lists for hair care products, xanthan gum doesn’t truly do anything for the hair’s health. A stabiliser made from a carbohydrate, xanthan gum keeps the formulations from disintegrating and it helps them to cling together. The concentration of xanthan gum will vary depending on the product because it helps to thicken and provide an even, smooth texture. It also serves as an emulsifier, ensuring that the interaction between the active ingredients is successful. Just think of it as the egg in a cake that binds everything together while they are baked.
Thickens Formula
Formulations can be thickened by adding xanthan gum, but this emulsifier can also be used to thin down liquids. This allows brands to produce smooth, consistent goods that are the right consistency for their intended usage (leave-in versus wash-out, etc.). Because smooth consistencies are frequently thought of as being of excellent quality, how a product feels can make all the difference.
Conditions The Skin & Hair
Xanthan gum has been demonstrated to hydrate the skin by keeping oils locked in, though its impact on skin and hair is still mostly unknown. The use of xanthan gum may have some advantages if you have dry hair or a dry scalp. It has some conditioning advantages, but there hasn’t been much research done on the particular benefits of its application to skin and hair care.
Stabilises Hair Products
Xanthan gum is a molecular need in hair products, unlike the active components. In hair products, xanthan gum frequently serves as a stabiliser to keep the mixture cohesive. The formulation could separate between production and reaching the shop shelves if xanthan gum weren’t there.
Acts As A Natural Preservative
Because it maintains the stability of the products and lengthens their shelf life, xanthan gum is regarded as an all-natural preservative. The Environmental Working Group granted xanthan gum a top rating of 1, indicating that it is neither hazardous nor detrimental, and the FDA has cleared it.
FAQ
What role does xanthan gum play in hair products?
Xanthan gum serves as a binder, thickening, preservative, and emulsifier for the particular product in question, which means it keeps the contents combined. According to some experts, it also offers some hydrating advantages.
What other personal care products, outside hair care products, include xanthan gum?
You might be shocked to realise how frequently this ingredient appears in your beauty products. In addition to products for hair care, xanthan gum is an ingredient in lotions, toothpaste, sunscreens, makeup, and deodorants.
Does xanthan gum have any side effects?
The EWG has given xanthan gum a number one rating, indicating that it is neither hazardous nor harmful when used topically in cosmetics or hair products. Consult your doctor if you have allergies to maize, wheat, soy, or dairy products since this could be an allergen of the same category.
Now you know what xanthan gum is and can thank it for all the help it provides to your favourite hair care products.
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