Gum Arabic / Acacia Senegal Gum

The function of Acacia Senegal Gum in a cosmetic formulation is to give a product the right thickness and texture, making it easier to apply and helping it stay smooth and stable.  From a consumer benefit perspective, thickeners are used in cosmetic products to make them pleasant and easy to use, ensuring they spread properly on the skin or hair, keeping the formula uniform and stable so the ingredients do not separate over time.

This ingredient is natural and can be used in many different product categories, such as cleansing products, skincare products, haircare products and make-up products. 

There are many thickeners and viscosity controllers available on the market and Acacia Senegal Gum is not the only cosmetic ingredient that provides this function within a cosmetic formulation.  However, each ingredient with these functions has different characteristics and performs in different ways in different types of cosmetic formulations.  The cosmetic chemist will choose the most appropriate thickener and viscosity controller from the palette of ingredients, based on the type of formulation and its physico-chemical characteristics; the level of thickness required; the texture and feeling on the skin/hair, as well as its spreadability; and many other factors.