Guar Gum Powder

Use in formulations at 0.5% to 2% or higher if needed. It is water-soluble so cannot be used with oil-only products.

 

It starts to hydrate very readily with water but can take up to 1 hour to become fully hydrated. You may find that it starts to hydrate so quickly that it forms lumps. These can be whisked out but could also mix the guar gum with a little glycerine or a vegetable oil first. This slows down the hydration initially and helps to prevent lumps.

 

Once it is fully hydrated, the gel can be heated to 50°C but do ensure that it is quite fluid. Very thick gels may be prone to scorching. If the guar gum is added to cold water and then heated in a bain marie, it makes an exceptional gel that is very smooth and feels superb!

 

It is stable between pH 5 and 9. If used at pH 3, you can feel some “pilling” as it starts to break down. This can be modified by combining it with another thickening agent.

 

As it is cationic, Guar Gum attaches itself to the anionic hair shaft to form a conditioning and protective polymeric film, protecting the hair whilst keeping it hydrated and flexible.

 

Unlike many commercial conditioners, it leaves no polymer build up.

 

It can be used in shampoos, hair conditioners and hair packs where it not only provides thickness and texture to the product but also improves hair combing and brushing without tangling and reduces breakage.

 

Its film forming ability also makes it substantive to the hair, giving it some greater volume.