How much xanthan gum to use in aloe vera gel?

Start at about 0.5% of the total weight, that is 0.5 g in 100 g of gel, and go up to around 1% for a firmer gel. Disperse it in a little glycerine first, stir into the liquid, then let it rest before judging the thickness.

Why does xanthan gum form lumps in water?

The outside of each particle swells instantly and seals dry powder inside. Avoid it by pre-mixing the powder with glycerine or oil, or by sprinkling it slowly into fast-moving water with a stick blender. Lumps that do form usually soften if left overnight.

Can I use this xanthan gum in cooking or gluten-free roti?

This listing is a cosmetic raw ingredient and is not labelled food grade, so don't use it in food. For cooking and gluten-free baking, buy xanthan gum marked food grade from a seller who follows FSSAI rules.

Is xanthan gum natural?

It is made by fermentation with a natural bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris, and is widely accepted in natural-style cosmetic formulas. It is still a processed ingredient, so describe it accurately on labels rather than calling a product natural just because it contains xanthan.

Xanthan gum or carbomer for a clear gel: which is better?

Carbomer gives a clearer, firmer, less sticky gel but needs neutralising with an alkali such as triethanolamine. Xanthan is simpler, works over a wide pH range and needs no neutraliser, but the gel is slightly hazy and can feel stringy at higher levels.

Does xanthan gum work in shampoo with salt?

Yes. Xanthan tolerates salt and a wide pH range well, so it is often used where salt thickening alone is not enough. Add it to the water phase first, let it hydrate, then add surfactants slowly to avoid foaming and lumps.

Xanthan Gum Powder: Uses, Dosage and Grades

Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide made by fermenting sugar with Xanthomonas campestris bacteria, sold as an off-white powder used to thicken and stabilise gels, lotions, shampoos and, in food grade, sauces and gluten-free baking. Very small amounts, usually 0.1 to 1%, give a lot of thickness.

Last updated 7 Nov 2026

Xanthan gum price today →हिंदी में पढ़ें

Specifications

CAS number: 11138-66-2
Grades: Cosmetic

Products and pack sizes

Product	Grade	Pack	Price (incl. GST)	₹ per kg
Xanthan Gum Powder	Cosmetic	—	₹699	—

What is xanthan gum?

Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide produced when the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris ferments sugars. After fermentation it is precipitated, dried and milled into a cream to off-white powder.

CAS number: 11138-66-2
Food code: INS 415 (E415)
Appearance: cream to off-white, almost odourless powder
Behaviour in water: dissolves in hot or cold water to form a thick, smooth solution

It has no single formula; it is a long chain of glucose, mannose and glucuronic acid units. Its solutions are shear thinning: thick at rest, thin while you pour, shake or rub them, then thick again. That is why a xanthan gel holds particles in suspension yet still spreads easily. It stays stable across a wide range of pH and temperature.

Grades and pack sizes at Azlok

Azlok lists Xanthan Gum Powder under cosmetic raw ingredients, so this is cosmetic grade material for gels, lotions, shampoos, face washes and other personal care products.

The product name doesn't give a pack size, so check the listing for available weights. It is not labelled food grade; for cooking and baking, buy a food grade pack. See today's price per kg.

Common uses

Cosmetics: thickener and stabiliser in aloe and herbal gels, lotions, creams, shampoos, body washes and toothpaste; it also keeps oil and water from separating.
DIY and craft: thickening liquid soaps, slime-style craft gels and water-based paints.
Food (food grade only): salad dressings, sauces, ice cream and gluten-free bread, where it replaces some of the stretch gluten would give.
Industry: oil-well drilling fluids, paints, agrochemical suspensions and cleaning products.

How to use it

Typical use levels published by suppliers are about 0.1 to 1% of the total weight. As a guide:

Product	Typical range
Thin lotion or toner, stabilising	0.1 to 0.3%
Shampoo or body wash thickening	0.3 to 0.7%
Clear gel	0.5 to 1%

So for 100 g of gel you weigh 0.5 to 1 g. Use a scale that reads 0.01 g; a spoon is far too rough.

Never tip the powder straight into water. It forms lumps that are dry inside.
Either disperse it first in glycerine or another liquid it doesn't dissolve in, then add that slurry to the water while stirring, or sprinkle it slowly into a vortex using a stick blender.
Keep mixing for a few minutes, then let it rest 15 to 30 minutes so it fully hydrates and any bubbles rise.
Add more only after it has rested. It keeps thickening for a while after mixing.

High levels give a slimy, stringy feel. Many formulators pair it with other thickeners to avoid that.

Safety and storage

It is a low-hazard material, but fine dust irritates eyes and the nose. Pour gently and avoid breathing it.
Spilled powder plus water makes floors extremely slippery. Sweep up dry spills before mopping.
Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place. Damp powder lumps and hydrates poorly.
Water-based products thickened with xanthan still need a suitable cosmetic preservative; the gum itself doesn't preserve anything.
Patch test any new skin product on a small area first.
Opened packs keep well if dry; if the powder smells sour or musty, or a test gel stays thin, replace it.
Keep away from children.

Choosing the right grade and pack

For gels, lotions, shampoos and soaps, the cosmetic grade listed here is the right choice. For food, buy a pack that is clearly labelled food grade and follow FSSAI rules.

Because you use so little, a small pack lasts a home formulator a long time; 100 g makes roughly 10 to 20 kg of finished gel at typical levels. Small cosmetic brands making regular batches can buy more, as long as they keep it sealed and dry.

For 25 kg and above, send a bulk inquiry. Remember that finished cosmetics sold in India need to meet BIS and CDSCO requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How much xanthan gum to use in aloe vera gel?: Start at about 0.5% of the total weight, that is 0.5 g in 100 g of gel, and go up to around 1% for a firmer gel. Disperse it in a little glycerine first, stir into the liquid, then let it rest before judging the thickness.
Why does xanthan gum form lumps in water?: The outside of each particle swells instantly and seals dry powder inside. Avoid it by pre-mixing the powder with glycerine or oil, or by sprinkling it slowly into fast-moving water with a stick blender. Lumps that do form usually soften if left overnight.
Can I use this xanthan gum in cooking or gluten-free roti?: This listing is a cosmetic raw ingredient and is not labelled food grade, so don't use it in food. For cooking and gluten-free baking, buy xanthan gum marked food grade from a seller who follows FSSAI rules.
Is xanthan gum natural?: It is made by fermentation with a natural bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris, and is widely accepted in natural-style cosmetic formulas. It is still a processed ingredient, so describe it accurately on labels rather than calling a product natural just because it contains xanthan.
Xanthan gum or carbomer for a clear gel: which is better?: Carbomer gives a clearer, firmer, less sticky gel but needs neutralising with an alkali such as triethanolamine. Xanthan is simpler, works over a wide pH range and needs no neutraliser, but the gel is slightly hazy and can feel stringy at higher levels.
Does xanthan gum work in shampoo with salt?: Yes. Xanthan tolerates salt and a wide pH range well, so it is often used where salt thickening alone is not enough. Add it to the water phase first, let it hydrate, then add surfactants slowly to avoid foaming and lumps.