Natural Thickeners & Stablilizers

Stabilizer: a substance added to another substance (as an explosive or plastic) or to a system (as an emulsion) to prevent or retard an unwanted alteration of physical state

Thickeners and Stabilizers prevent oil and water from separating. Natural or organic thickeners may be botanical or mineral in origin. A few natural thickeners are approved by the USDA for use in organic foods. Thickening agents provide "body" to cosmetics, increasing stability, improve suspending action, and contribute to application and feel. Stabilizers also help with added body in a product but stabilizers also maintain certain textures.

locust bean gum | guar gum | acacia gum | clay mineral

locust bean gum: a galactomannan vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the Carob tree. The endosperm is the source of the locust bean gum; it is separated from the dark seed coat and yellow embryo by a series of milling operations. It is then ground and graded according to particular size, color, and other parameters. Similar to guar gum. Has a pH between 5 and 7. Used in many cosmetics as a thickener.

benefits: can improve the character and strength of carrageenan and agar gels as well as retard the syneresis in these gels.

guar gum: a gummy substance obtained from legume-family plants, used as a thickener and stabilizer, native to tropical Asia. Part used is the endosperm of the seed. It is separated from the outer components of the seed during processing. Processing involves hull removal by water or acid soaking and grinding, followed by preferential grinding to remove the embryo. The endosperm lefts is then ground to a fine powder. Similar to locust bean gum.Used in toothpastes, lotions, and creams.

benefits: reported to lower the serum cholesterol and postprandial (after meal) blood glucose in humans. Possessing almost 8 times the water thickening potency as cornstarch, guar gum is economical because only a very small quantity is needed for producing sufficient viscosity. Guar gum is of interest with regards to both weight loss and diabetic diets. Has a coating action on the skin that allows for moisture retention.

acacia gum: a natural additive from the bark of certain varieties of acacia tree. Gum arabic is colorless, tasteless and odorless. Gum arabic is a complex mixture of saccharides and glycoproteins, which gives it one of its most useful properties: it is perfectly edible. Dissolves rapidly in water.

benefits: soothes irritation, particularly in the mucous membranes. Also an anticonvulsant agent. Recommended for dry, sensitive skin.

effects: may cause skin rash do to allergic reactions.

clay mineral: are hydrous aluminum phyllosilicates, sometimes with variable amounts of iron, magnesium, alkali metals, alkaline earths and other cations. Used as a clarifying agent in liquids. Used in face powders, face masks, body powders, and foundations.

benefits: non-comedogenic and hence, are ideally suited for sensitive skin types. Also, the skin can be made younger and healthier by the natural ingredients in clay. Eases muscle pain and inflammation, heals acne and other skin problems.