- Derived from: corn syrup
- Pronunciation: (\ˈzan-thən-\)
- Type: Naturally-derived
What Is Xanthan gum?
Xanthan gum is a cream-colored powder derived from corn syrup.[1,2]
What Does Xanthan gum Do in Our products?
Xanthan gum is a stabilizer, thickener, binder and skin-conditioning agent.[3] It helps ingredients stay suspended in other ingredients and is found in thousands of personal care products, including moisturizers, sunscreen, shampoo, makeup, and other items.[4] Xanthan gum is also common in chewing gum, salad dressing, sauces, frozen foods, toothpaste and pasteurized process cheese spread. It dissolves in water and generally isn’t absorbed by the skin (the molecules are very large).[5]
Why Puracy Uses Xanthan gum
We use xanthan gum in several of our products as a stabilizer and thickener that keeps ingredients from separating. The Cosmetics Ingredient Review has deemed the ingredient safe for use in cosmetics.[8] The FDA has deemed xanthan gum Generally Recognized as Safe, and the World Health Organization has deemed the ingredient safe for consumption.[9,10] Whole Foods has deemed the ingredient acceptable in its body care quality standards.[11] In addition, several studies show the ingredient is not a skin or eye irritant, nor is it a skin sensitizer.[12,13,14,15,16,17]
How Xanthan gum Is Made
Xanthan gum production starts by fermenting corn syrup with Xanthomonas campestris bacteria.[6] The combination produces a coagulated liquid that is then separated from the rest of the fluid, rinsed, pressed, dried and ground into a powder.[7]
Certifications
Sources
[1] Cosmeticsinfo.org
[2] World Health Organization
[3] Cosmeticsinfo.org
[4] Environmental Working Group
[5] Cosmeticsinfo.org
[6] World Health Organization
[7] World Health Organization
[8] Personal Care Council
[9] World Health Organization
[10] Food and Drug Administration
[11] Whole Foods Market
[12] Inchem. “Xanthan Gum.” http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v21je13.htm. 2010. Date Accessed 11- 15-2011
[13] Guillot J.P., Giauffret J.Y., Martini M.C., Gonnet J.F., and Soule G. “Safety evaluation of gums and thickeners used in cosmetic formulations.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 1982;4:(2):53-65
[14] Booth A.N., Hendrickson A.P., and DeEds F. “Physiologic effects of three microbial polysaccharides on rats.” Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 1963;5:478-484
[15] Life Science Laboratory. 1999. “Primary skin irritation study of CM-Glucan J in rabbits.” Test Code No. 99-JXA4- 1001. Unpublished data submitted by Personal Care Products Council
[16] Life Science Laboratory. 1999. “Skin sensitization study of CM-Glucan J in guinea pigs (by maximization test method).” Test Code No. 99-VIA3-1001. Unpublished data submitted by Personal Care Products Council
[17] Life Science Laboratory. 1999. “Primary skin irritation test for CM-Glucan J in human subjects by closed patch test.” Test Code No. 99-Xll-1010. Unpublished data submitted by Personal Care Products Council
