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Xanthan Gum

What Xanthan Gum is & what it does

A natural thickener and stabilizer that gives products body and keeps the oil and water phases evenly mixed. It has no direct skin activity but is key to a stable, pleasant texture.

What does Xanthan Gum do in a formula?

Xanthan gum is a natural thickener and stabiliser: it gives a sunscreen its gel-like body and stops the oil and water phases from separating. It is the same food-grade ingredient used to thicken sauces.

Is Xanthan Gum safe?

Yes. It is a food-grade, non-toxic ingredient considered safe and non-irritating in skincare. It modifies texture on the surface rather than penetrating skin.

Does Xanthan Gum clog pores?

No. It is a water-based thickener used in tiny amounts, so it is non-comedogenic.

Is Xanthan Gum natural?

Yes, it is naturally produced: xanthan gum is made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, the same food-grade process used to thicken sauces. It is a bio-derived thickener, not a petrochemical.

Is Xanthan Gum safe to use during pregnancy?

Xanthan gum has no known pregnancy concern. It is a food-grade thickener that sits on the surface to modify texture and is not absorbed.

Sunscreens with Xanthan Gum

We rate 3747 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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