The Guar Gum Natural Cosmetic Thickener is a versatile product that serves as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer in cosmetic formulations. Derived from the ground endosperm of the guar plant, Cyanmopsis tetragonolobus, this natural ingredient is grown predominantly in India and Pakistan from July to December.
Guar gum is water soluble and should be added to mixtures in small quantities at a time. It is important to stir the mixture thoroughly after each addition to prevent gelling or clumping. While guar gum is effective in mixtures that freeze, it does not perform well in extreme heat or under certain pH conditions (above pH 8 or below pH 5). It is not recommended for use in formulas containing Borax or Calcium.
With its superior water-thickening potency, guar gum offers eight times the viscosity of cornstarch. This means that only a small amount of guar gum (.5%-1%) is needed to increase the thickness of a product. In soap-making, guar gum helps achieve better emulsions and can also act as a whitening agent. It is commonly used in lotion, cream, and ointment recipes as an emulsifier, thickener, and stabilizer, with the suggested rate of usage ranging from .5% to 2%.
The unique features of Guar Gum Natural Cosmetic Thickener include its origin from the ground endosperm of the guar plant and its cultivation in India and Pakistan. At harvest time, the seeds are extracted from the pod of the plant and ground into guar gum, which is then utilized for its beneficial properties in cosmetic formulations.