Looking for a natural way to thicken cosmetics and give them a smoother texture?

Try guar gum, a fine plant powder from guar beans with an exceptionally strong ability to bind water. In cosmetics, it is used as a thickener to help adjust product consistency and to make gels.

When mixed in water, it forms a viscous solution, making it suitable for recipes with a high water content. It will help you stabilise cosmetic mixtures and emulsions, giving them a fuller, smoother consistency. Be careful, however, as it does not act as an emulsifier needed to combine oil and water phases.

Thanks to its ability to bind and retain water, it will promote a feeling of hydration in the skin. It forms a fine film on the surface, leaving the skin smoother and softer. In hair cosmetics, it helps improve product slip and facilitates its even application to the hair.

When dosing, less is more. Guar gum works even in a small dose. A high amount can create an overly thick, stringy, or sticky mass. Therefore, add it to the recipe gradually and always mix it thoroughly to avoid lumps.

Guar gum does not require heating to thicken the water phase. Just slowly sprinkle it into the water while stirring thoroughly and let it gradually absorb the water. It may slightly cloud originally clear preparations, which is its natural property.

This is a cosmetic raw material intended for further processing, not for direct standalone application.

Benefits

• Raw material of natural origin
• Free from synthetic additives
• Suitable for vegans
• Thickening, gelling, and stabilising properties
• Moisturising effect
• Ideal raw material for making homemade natural cosmetics

Natural thickener from a legume

Guar gum is obtained from the seeds of the cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), a legume cultivated in South Asia. The main component of guar gum is the polysaccharide galactomannan, which can bind a large amount of water and create a thick, viscous solution.

During production, the inner part of the guar bean seeds, rich in galactomannan, is separated, then ground and purified into a fine, light powder. Due to its significant thickening ability, guar gum is used not only in cosmetics but also in the food industry.

Recommended use

Used for making homemade cosmetics. Stabilises emulsions, increases product viscosity, and provides a smooth, silky feel. Ideal for thickening shampoos, shower gels, body lotions, serums, and liquid soaps.

Creative tip – hydrating gel

Slowly sprinkle 0.1–0.2 g of guar gum into 30 ml of Organic Damask Rose Hydrolate while stirring vigorously. Continue until a smooth, lump-free gel is formed, and let it settle for a few minutes for the gum to fully absorb the water.

The result will be a simple, light gel suitable, for example, as a base for further cosmetic creations. As it contains water and is not preserved, prepare only a small amount, store it in the fridge, and use it quickly.

Recommended storage

Store in a dry place, protect from heat.

Country of origin

India

Ingredients

Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum