Xanthan gum - Clear

Xanthan gum - Clear

Clear xanthan gum is a specialised form of xanthan designed to produce transparent or near-transparent gels, making it ideal for cosmetic formulations where clarity and appearance matter.

It offers the familiar thickening and stabilising performance of standard xanthan gum, but with a smoother, less stringy texture and without the creamy or opaque finish. This makes it particularly well suited to serums, gels, essences, and other clear or visually refined products.

Clear xanthan gum performs reliably across a wide pH range, tolerates salts, and can be used in both hot and cold process formulations.

1% Xanthan Gum – Clear (left) vs 1% Standard Xanthan Gum (right)

Key features

• Produces clear or near-transparent gels
• Less stringy texture than standard xanthan gum
• Ideal for serums, gels, and clear formulations
• Good tolerance to pH, temperature, and salts
• Suitable for hot and cold process

Common uses

• Clear facial serums and gel serums
• Hydrating gels and essences
• Transparent water-based products
• Stabilising and suspending actives in clear systems

Formulation tips

• Pre-disperse into glycerin or another humectant before adding to water to help minimise clumping.
• Add slowly to the water phase with good agitation.
• Allow time for full hydration, viscosity will continue to develop after mixing.
• Use lower percentages for fluid gels and higher percentages for thicker gel textures.

About clarity and texture

Unlike standard xanthan gum, which produces a creamy, opaque and sometimes stringy gel, clear xanthan gum is designed for transparent systems with a smoother flow.

If clarity is not important and cost is the priority, standard xanthan gum is usually sufficient. For clear formulations or products where texture and appearance are key, clear xanthan gum is the better choice.

Common Name: Clear Xanthan gum or Xanthan gum Clear

INCI: Xanthan Gum
Certification: Conventional
Appearance: Fine, off-white powder
Solubility: Water
Usage Rate: 0.1–1%
Charge: Anionic
pH Range: 6–8
Vegan: Yes
Palm Oil: No
Animal Tested: No

All our products are for external use only.