Gellan Gum ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a hydrocolloid thickener, gel former, and suspension stabilizer used to build viscosity and keep particles, pigments, or droplets evenly dispersed in water-based formulas.
What does Gellan Gum do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a hydrocolloid thickener, gel former, and suspension stabilizer used to build viscosity and keep particles, pigments, or droplets evenly dispersed in water-based formulas.
Is Gellan Gum clean?
This ingredient is generally well tolerated, with low sensitization concern because it is a high molecular weight polymer that mostly stays on the skin surface. Clean-beauty frameworks typically treat it as unproblematic, with no common restricted-list friction.
Is Gellan Gum sustainable?
This material is commonly produced by microbial fermentation of carbohydrate feedstocks, often plant-derived sugars. It is biodegradable and does not raise the same persistence concerns associated with many synthetic film-forming polymers.
Is Gellan Gum COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted in COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic products when sourcing and processing meet the standard’s requirements. Its fermentation route, low use levels, and biodegradability align well with Green Chemistry principles.
How does Gellan Gum work chemically?
The molecule is an anionic, high molecular weight polysaccharide built from repeating sugar-acid units, which lets it bind water and form structured networks. Typical use levels are about 0.05% to 0.5%, with hydration usually requiring heat and gel strength influenced by pH, electrolytes, and divalent ions such as calcium.
Last updated 2026-05-13