Thickener

Guar Gum

Natural polysaccharide from guar bean seeds. One of the most effective natural thickeners — thicker than most gums at low concentrations (0.5–1%). Widely used in shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions.

Natural thickenerPlant-basedShampooGelling agent

✓ Safe

Comedogenic Rating

0/5

Irritation Potential

0/5

What is it?

Guar Gum — water-soluble polysaccharide composed of D-mannose and D-galactose in a ratio of ~2:1 (galactomannan). Molecular weight: 200,000–300,000 Da. When dissolved in water, it swells and forms pseudoplastic (shear-thinning) solutions of very high viscosity. INCI: Guar Gum. Effective concentration: 0.3–1%. Stable at pH 5–7. Can reduce viscosity at elevated temperatures and in the presence of certain salts. Derivatives: Hydroxypropyl Guar (more soluble and stable) and cationic Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (for hair).

Shampoos, shower gels, conditioners, body lotions, toothpaste — any aqueous products where natural thickening and certification are needed.

Key Benefits

✦

High efficiency at minimal concentration

Guar Gum provides noticeable viscosity already at 0.3–0.5% — 3–5 times more effective than hydroxyethyl cellulose by weight. For certified "natural" cosmetics, this is important: less substance → less change in the natural profile of the composition. Pseudoplastic rheology: the product easily comes out of the tube but does not pour from the palm.

◈

Natural origin and COSMOS/ECOCERT certification

Guar — plant-based product (seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), allowed by COSMOS, ECOCERT, and NATRUE. Standard thickener in natural and organic cosmetics. Absence of chemical modification (unlike derivatives) → minimal processing, acceptable for strict natural standards. Especially valuable for "zero-waste" and "clean beauty" formats.

✧

Mild conditioning effect for hair and skin

The polysaccharide chains of guar gum adsorb to the surface of hair and skin, leaving a soft moisturizing and protective layer after rinsing. The effect is much weaker than that of cationic guar (GHTC), but noticeable as "softness" after washing. The gel structure improves the spreadability of shampoos and lotions, facilitating even application.

Suitable for

Suitable for all hair and skin typesNatural products

Main Actions

✓ Thickening/gelling✓ Natural origin (COSMOS)✓ Mild conditioning

Guar Gum vs Hydroxypropyl Guar vs GHTC

Guar Gum (native) — simple thickener, minimal processing, COSMOS. Hydroxypropyl Guar — more stable to pH and temperature, slightly better texture. Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (GHTC) — cationic, excellent for conditioning hair (charged, adheres to the cuticle), but no longer "native". For natural shampoos: guar gum or HP-guar. For conditioners with a pronounced effect: GHTC.

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