Xanthan Gum

At ORY^®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about xanthan gum. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.

How to read this page

Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews.

Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY^® uses.

Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly.

1. General Description and Role

Claim: Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. In ORY^® products, it thickens formulas, keeps oil and water from separating, and suspends particles.

Verification: Supported. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that microbial polysaccharide gums, including xanthan gum, are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration.

Citations:

- Fiume, M. M., et al. (2016). Safety assessment of microbial polysaccharide gums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 35(1 Suppl), 5S–49S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581816651606
  - What it shows: CIR safety assessment of microbial polysaccharide gums.

2. Composition and Production

Claim: Xanthan gum is produced by fermentation, precipitated with alcohol, dried, and milled into powder. It is anionic (negatively charged) and stays stable across a wide range of pH, heat, and salt levels.

Verification: Supported. Its production and properties are well documented.

Citations:

- García-Ochoa, F., Santos, V. E., Casas, J. A., & Gómez, E. (2000). Xanthan gum: Production, recovery, and properties. Biotechnology Advances, 18(7), 549–579. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-9750(00)00050-1
  - What it shows: Review of xanthan production and properties.

3. Skin Type Suitability

Claim: Xanthan gum suits all skin types.

Verification: Supported. It is a texture ingredient with no known sensitizing activity at use levels.

Citations:

- Fiume, M. M., et al. (2016). Safety assessment of microbial polysaccharide gums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 35(1 Suppl), 5S–49S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581816651606
  - What it shows: Safety data.

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

Claim: In haircare, xanthan gum thickens gels and masks that do not contain cationic conditioners.

Verification: Supported. Because it is anionic, ORY^® uses HEC instead in conditioners made with BTMS. ORY^® haircare products are not intended to treat scalp conditions.

Citations:

- García-Ochoa, F., Santos, V. E., Casas, J. A., & Gómez, E. (2000). Xanthan gum: Production, recovery, and properties. Biotechnology Advances, 18(7), 549–579. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-9750(00)00050-1
  - What it shows: Describes charge and compatibility.

5. Benefits

Claim: Xanthan gum gives products body, keeps lotions stable, and holds particles in suspension.

Verification: Supported. These are texture and stability benefits, not skin-treatment benefits.

Citations:

- García-Ochoa, F., Santos, V. E., Casas, J. A., & Gómez, E. (2000). Xanthan gum: Production, recovery, and properties. Biotechnology Advances, 18(7), 549–579. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-9750(00)00050-1
  - What it shows: Describes function.

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines

Claim: Xanthan gum is used in ORY^® Skincare, Haircare, and Cosmetics, and in liquid soap.

Verification: Supported. Water-based products that contain this ingredient must be well preserved, because water and polysaccharides support microbial growth.

Product line	Typical level	How ORY^® uses it
Skincare	0.1–1%	Lotions, creams, gels, gel-creams, masks, and serums.
Haircare	0.3–1%	Non-cationic curl gels, styling gels, masks, and scalp tonics.
Handmade Soap line	0.2–0.5% in liquid	Liquid soap and syndet washes (not cold-process bars).
Cosmetics	0.1–0.5%	Foundations, BB creams, gel liners, and mascaras.

Citations:

- Fiume, M. M., et al. (2016). Safety assessment of microbial polysaccharide gums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 35(1 Suppl), 5S–49S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581816651606
  - What it shows: Reported uses.
- Lundov, M. D., Moesby, L., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J. D. (2009). Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: A review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis, 60(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01501.x
  - What it shows: Review of preservation.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
  - What it shows: FDA definition of soap; other bars are cosmetics.

7. Pros

Claim: An efficient, natural-origin thickener and stabilizer with a CIR safety conclusion.

Verification: Supported. Widely used in food and cosmetics.

Citations:

- Fiume, M. M., et al. (2016). Safety assessment of microbial polysaccharide gums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 35(1 Suppl), 5S–49S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581816651606
  - What it shows: Safety conclusion.

8. Cons

Claim: Xanthan gum can feel sticky at higher levels, clumps when mixed, and interacts with cationic conditioners.

Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:

- Tackiness. Above about 0.5% in leave-on products.
- Clumping. Must be pre-dispersed.
- Anionic. Not used with BTMS conditioners.
- No active benefit. Texture only.

Citations:

- García-Ochoa, F., Santos, V. E., Casas, J. A., & Gómez, E. (2000). Xanthan gum: Production, recovery, and properties. Biotechnology Advances, 18(7), 549–579. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-9750(00)00050-1
  - What it shows: Properties.

9. Safety Notes

Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only.

Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:

- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes unless the product is made for the eye area.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.

Citations:

- Fiume, M. M., et al. (2016). Safety assessment of microbial polysaccharide gums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 35(1 Suppl), 5S–49S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581816651606
  - What it shows: Safety conclusion.

10. Product-line notes

- ORY^® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY^® Haircare: Designed for the look and feel of hair and scalp comfort. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss.
- ORY^® Handmade Soap line: This ingredient is not used in cold-process soap. Syndet, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner bars that contain it are cosmetics under FDA rules, not soap, and list all of their ingredients. Not intended to treat eczema or any skin condition.
- ORY^® Cosmetics: Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.

11. References

Peer-reviewed research

- Fiume, M. M., et al. (2016). Safety assessment of microbial polysaccharide gums as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 35(1 Suppl), 5S–49S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581816651606
- García-Ochoa, F., Santos, V. E., Casas, J. A., & Gómez, E. (2000). Xanthan gum: Production, recovery, and properties. Biotechnology Advances, 18(7), 549–579. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-9750(00)00050-1
- Lundov, M. D., Moesby, L., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J. D. (2009). Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: A review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis, 60(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01501.x

Government and regulatory sources

- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20

1. General Description and Role

2. Composition and Production

3. Skin Type Suitability

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

5. Benefits

6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines

7. Pros

8. Cons

9. Safety Notes

10. Product-line notes

11. References

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines