Hydroxypropyl Guar
Updated
Guar gum, 2-hydroxypropyl ether, depolymd.
Purpose
Legume-derived polysaccharide that serves as a thickening agent in skin care, makeup, and hair care formulations.
Rating
GOOD
Category
Film-Forming Agent, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts
INCI Purpose
ANTISTATIC, BINDING, EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Alternative Names
At a Glance
Article
Hydroxypropyl guar is a legume-based polysaccharide derived from guar gum. It serves as a thickening agent in skin care, makeup, and hair care formulations. Hydroxypropyl guar may also be used to help stabilize emulsions and is commonly found in skin care gels, lotions, and hair-conditioning products.
Hydroxypropyl guar is noted for its film-forming and lubricating properties that deliver a smooth feel to skin and hair.
As a raw material for cosmetics, hydroxypropyl guar comes in fine powder form.
In 2015, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed hydroxypropyl guar “safe in the present practices of use and concentration” described in their report, which surveyed 167 personal care products containing up to 2% concentration of hydroxypropyl guar in leave-on formulas and up to 93% concentration for rinse-off products.
Fun fact: Hydroxypropyl guar is also used in artificial tear eye drops.
See: Guar Gum
References