Description

Guar gum also known as guaran, is made from legumes called guar beans. It’s a type of polysaccharide, or long chain of bonded carbohydrate molecules, and composed of two sugars called mannose and galactose. Guar gum is frequently used as a food additive in many processed foods. It’s especially useful in food manufacturing because it’s soluble and able to absorb water, forming a gel that can thicken and bind products. It  is commonly added to cosmetic formulations to emulsify and stabilize them, to act as a suspending agent, and to enhance the thickness of their consistencies, which also helps adjust their textures.

The guar plant is mainly grown in India and Pakistan,  at harvest time, the seeds are extracted from the pod of the plant and then ground into guar gum.

Appearance: Guar Gum. is a soft, fine, off-white, water-soluble powder.

Common Uses/ Benefits 

Guar Gum combines well with both solids and liquids emulsifying properties, helping to contribute thickness and fluffiness through a formula, thereby changing them into pastes. The benefits of Guar Gum, when compared to other thickening agents, is that it can be added to aqueous solutions without the need for prior heating. Also, due to its thickening effectiveness, only tiny amounts of Guar Gum are needed to enhance a product’s consistency. Guar Gum’s surfactant quality helps to enhance lather, making it ideal for use in soaps. In shaving products, it helps decrease friction for easier use of razors, and its exceptional conditioning ability helps to soften both skin and hair. Guar Gum is also reputed to extend the shelf life of various skincare products.

Guar Gum is water soluble. When adding Guar Gum to a mixture it is best to add small quantities at a time. Be sure to stir for a while after each addition. If Guar Gum is added too quickly or in large quantities, it will gel or clump together. Guar Gum works well in mixtures that freeze but not in extreme heat or in pH (above pH8 or below pH5). Do not use if your formula contains Borax or Calcium.

Guar Gum functions as

• Emulsifier
• Stabilizer
• Thickener
• Moisturizer
• Softener
• Conditioner

It also helps to:

• Increase product viscosity
• Lubricate and improve product glide on the skin
• Prevent water loss
• Prevent the loss of any other liquid from a gel formulation (known as “syneresis”)
• Extend product shelf life
• Condition hair and skin for improved suppleness
• Improve hair manageability by reducing tangling in both wet and dry strands
• Restore the skin’s natural moisture
• Soften the skin to reduce irritation, cracking, and peeling
• Lift and remove dirt
• Soothe skin
• Hydrate the hair and scalp to protect against dryness
• Prevent frizz, create a protective layer against environmental pollutants, reduce static electricity
• Prevent a buildup of polymers in hair