Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation | Rare | Mild irritation or redness possible, typically in sensitive individuals. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated hypersensitivity reactions reported; xanthan gum is generally considered low-allergenicity. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.