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Biosaccharide Gum-4

What Biosaccharide Gum-4 is & what it does

Biosaccharide Gum-4 is a sugar-derived polymer used to thicken formulas and give them a soft, cushiony feel. It forms a light film on the skin that helps a sunscreen spread evenly and feel comfortable. Because it is a humectant-style sugar gum, it also holds a little water at the surface, which can make the finish feel more hydrated.

What is Biosaccharide Gum-4 and what does it do in sunscreen?

Biosaccharide Gum-4 is a sugar-derived gum used as a thickener and texture agent. In a sunscreen it adds body to the formula and a soft, cushiony slip, helping the product spread evenly across the skin. It also forms a light film that can make the finish feel smoother and a touch more hydrated.

Is Biosaccharide Gum-4 safe?

Yes, as used in cosmetics. It is a polysaccharide, a type of sugar-based gum, which is the kind of large, surface-acting molecule that is generally very well tolerated, including on sensitive skin. It is used in small amounts simply to adjust texture.

Does Biosaccharide Gum-4 clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-loving sugar gum rather than an oil or wax, so it is not a typical pore-clogging ingredient. If a product breaks you out, the heavier emollients in the formula are the more likely cause.

Is Biosaccharide Gum-4 natural?

It is derived from sugars, so it comes from a natural source, but it is processed and modified to create the specific gum used in skincare. In practice it sits between fully natural and fully synthetic, which is common for ingredients labelled as a biosaccharide gum.

What is Biosaccharide Gum-4 on an ingredient list (INCI)?

Biosaccharide Gum-4 is the INCI name printed on the label. The biosaccharide part signals it is a sugar-based polymer, and the number distinguishes it from other gums in the same family. It usually appears in the middle of the list among the texture and thickening ingredients.

Sunscreens with Biosaccharide Gum-4

We rate 191 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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