Hydroxypropyl xanthan gum
AKA: Modified Xanthan Gum
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Occlusive
Emulsifier
Not Clean
Hydroxypropyl Xanthan Gum is the hydroxypropyl ether of Xanthan Gum
CAS #
-
Form
Powder
Functions
Emulsion Stabilising
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Viscosity Controlling
Stabilizes Emulsion
Creates Protective Barrier
Controls Viscosity
Reduces Inflammation
Locks In Moisture
Fights Bacteria
Creates protective layer
Keeps product blended
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Xanthan gum, produced by fermentation of the Xanthomonas campestris bacterium, was first commercialized in the 1960s. The hydroxypropylated version was developed to enhance rheological properties in cosmetic gels.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Industry max
Industry typically uses up to 6.0% in leave-on products (2782 products reported). Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 611).
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR