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Gellan gum
AKA “Gellan Gum, Gelrite, Polysaccharide, Gellan”
Ingredient
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Ingredient Facts
Gellan gum
AKA: Gelrite, Polysaccharide
Ingredient · Film Forming · EWG: 1
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Occlusive
Clean
Gellan gum
CAS #
71010-52-1
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Viscosity Controlling
Moisturizing
Antimicrobial
Improves Elasticity
Creates protective layer
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
A modern polysaccharide developed in the 1970s by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea. Introduced to cosmetics as a natural-origin thickener and gelling agent to replace synthetic polymers and improve texture in skincare products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Development of a new resistant liposome coated with polysaccharide film for cosmetic application.
Belhaj N, Arnaud JP, Loing E, Bézivin C
Journal of cosmetic science, 2014
→
Preparation, structural characterization, bioactivities, and applications of Crataegus spp. polysaccharides: A review.
Cheng L, Yang Q, Li C, Zheng J, Wang Y et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2023
→
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Polysaccharide Gums as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Microbial Polysaccharides as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Algae Exopolysaccharides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cassia Angustifolia (Alexandrian Senna) Seed Polysaccharide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Gellan gum
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 1,2-decanediol and willow bark extract in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated keratinocytes.
Di Caprio R, Monfrecola G, Balato A, Balato N, Gasparri F et al.
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia, 2019
→
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Cassia Angustifolia (Alexandrian Senna) Seed Polysaccharide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Gellan gum
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Optimized and standardized isolation and structural characterization of anti-inflammatory sulfated polysaccharides from the red alga Delesseria sangui
Grünewald N, Alban S
Biomacromolecules, 2009
→
Hyaluronic Acid-like Skin Plumping and Radiance Benefits of a Porphyridium Sulfated Exopolysaccharide- and Natural PDRN-Rich Extract.
Havas F, Krispin S, Cohen M, Attia-Vigneau J
Marine drugs, 2026
→
Bioactive Polysaccharides from Seaweeds.
Hentati F, Tounsi L, Djomdi D, Pierre G, Delattre C et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2020
→
Houttuynia cordata polysaccharides ameliorate atopic dermatitis in mice through modulation of skin immune barrier and lipid metabolism.
Huang R, Zhang W, Hu Y, Xu J, Dong Z et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2025
→
Effect of Different Initial Fermentation pH on Exopolysaccharides Produced by Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans Hao 2018 and Identification of Key Genes I
Ju Y, Shan K, Liu W, Xi C, Zhang Y et al.
Marine drugs, 2022
→
Exploring apple pectic polysaccharides: Extraction, characterization, and biological activities - A comprehensive review.
Kumari N, Kumar M, Radha, Rais N, Puri S et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2024
→
Physicochemical Characterization of an Exopolysaccharide Produced by Lipomyces sp. and Investigation of Rheological and Interfacial Behavior.
Li W, Guo Y, Chen H, Chen W, Zhang H et al.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 2021
→
Physicochemical characterization and cosmetic application of kelp blanching water polysaccharides.
Liu P, Hu J, Wang Q, Tan J, Wei J et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2023
→
Skin substitutes based on gellan gum with mechanical and penetration compatibility to native human skin.
Malhotra D, Fattahi E, Germann N, Flisikowska T, Schnieke A et al.
Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A, 2023
→
Sulfated Exopolysaccharides from Porphyridium purpureum: A Review of Extraction, Structural Characterization, and Chemical Properties for Advanced App
Maulina D, Mun'im A, Bayu A, Setiawan H, Mohd Hashim N
F1000Research, 2025
→
Exopolysaccharides Producing Bacteria: A Review.
Netrusov AI, Liyaskina EV, Kurgaeva IV, Liyaskina AU, Yang G et al.
Microorganisms, 2023
→
Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications.
Prajapati VD, Maheriya PM, Jani GK, Solanki HK
Carbohydrate polymers, 2014
→
Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications.
Prajapati VD, Maheriya PM, Jani GK, Solanki HK
Carbohydrate polymers, 2014
→
Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications.
Prajapati VD, Maheriya PM, Jani GK, Solanki HK
Carbohydrate polymers, 2014
→
Immunomodulation by xylan and carrageenan-type polysaccharides from red seaweeds: Anti-inflammatory, wound healing, cytoprotective, and anticoagulant
Premarathna AD, Ahmed TAE, Rjabovs V, Hammami R, Critchley AT et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2024
→
Structural characterization and in vitro bioactivity of Furcellaria lumbricalis polysaccharides: Implications for skin, immune, and gut health applica
Premarathna AD, Sooäär A, Humayun S, Ahmed TAE, Rjabovs V et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2025
→
Effect of L-fucose and fucose-rich polysaccharides on ela...
L Robert, I Fodil-Bourahla, L Bizbiz, A M Robert
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 2004
→
Optimization of culture medium for enhanced production of exopolysaccharide from Aureobasidium pullulans.
Yoon S, Hong E, Kim S, Lee P, Kim M et al.
Bioprocess and biosystems engineering, 2012
→
Fermentation of Panax notoginseng root extract polysaccharides attenuates oxidative stress and promotes type I procollagen synthesis in human dermal f
You S, Shi X, Yu D, Zhao D, An Q et al.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2021
→
Fullerene-polysaccharide supramolecular hydrogel displaying antioxidation/antiglycation behavior.
Yu HM, Yu XY, Chen Y, Liu Y
Soft matter, 2023
→
Inhalable Jojoba Oil Dry Nanoemulsion Powders for the Treatment of Lipopolysaccharide- or H(2)O(2)-Induced Acute Lung Injury.
Zhang G, Xie F, Sun Y, Yu X, Xiao Z et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2021
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Composition, isolation, purification and biological activities of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides: A review.
Zhang R, Zhang X, Tang Y, Mao J
Carbohydrate polymers, 2020
→
Composition, isolation, purification and biological activities of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides: A review.
Zhang R, Zhang X, Tang Y, Mao J
Carbohydrate polymers, 2020
→
Composition, isolation, purification and biological activities of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides: A review.
Zhang R, Zhang X, Tang Y, Mao J
Carbohydrate polymers, 2020
→
Composition, isolation, purification and biological activities of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides: A review.
Zhang R, Zhang X, Tang Y, Mao J
Carbohydrate polymers, 2020
→
Astragalus Polysaccharide Hydrogels with Drug-Carrying Su...
Mingyuan Zhao, Jiawei Xiang, Yuan Meng, Huizhen Sun, Wenxiao Yang, Zhongxian Li + 4 more
ACS nano, 2025
→
Extraction, purification, structure characteristics and biological activities of polysaccharides from Saccharina japonica (Laminaria japonica): A revi
Zhao F, Cao M, Wang B, Jiang S, Li J et al.
Carbohydrate research, 2026
→
Astragalus Polysaccharide Hydrogels with Drug-Carrying Super Self-Assembly from Natural Herbs Promote Wound Healing.
Zhao M, Xiang J, Meng Y, Sun H, Yang W et al.
ACS nano, 2025
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR