polysaccharides ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is mainly used as a viscosity builder, film-former, and skin-feel modifier in water-based formulas. It can help stabilize texture while adding light hydration and slip.
What does polysaccharides do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is mainly used as a viscosity builder, film-former, and skin-feel modifier in water-based formulas. It can help stabilize texture while adding light hydration and slip.
Is polysaccharides clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well-tolerated and low-friction, with little concern around sensitization or restricted-list status. The main quality checks are purity, microbial control, and whether any grade has been chemically modified.
Is polysaccharides sustainable?
This material is typically made from renewable plant, microbial, or marine feedstocks and is generally biodegradable. Sustainability depends on the crop or fermentation source, water use, and traceability of the supply chain.
Is polysaccharides COSMOS-approved?
It is generally permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when sourced and processed according to the standard. It fits Green Chemistry principles well when minimally processed, renewable, biodegradable, and made without high-concern solvents or residues.
How does polysaccharides work chemically?
The molecule is a high-molecular-weight chain of repeating sugar units with many hydroxyl groups, which gives it strong water-binding, thickening, and film-forming behavior. Use levels are grade-dependent, often from fractions of a percent to a few percent, and final performance depends on hydration method, electrolytes, pH, preservation, and shear.
Last updated 2026-05-13