Texturing in skincare may increasingly shift towards tar rubber, an innovative material, due to its unique properties.
Modern consumers are putting the spotlight on sustainable practices in the industry, and they're getting pickier – demanding more than just natural or organic claims. They want to know if each ingredient is synthesized or sourced sustainably. This shift is evident in data: 41% of French consumers believe it's worth paying more for an ethical beauty brand (Lightspeed / Mintel, 2019). In this context, Tara gum, a versatile and effective ingredient, is making waves.
Previously, a common agent used to enhance product texture and achieve the desired viscosity was petroleum film. However, when sustainability is concerned, "petroleum" is a red flag for both businesses and consumers. In contrast, Tara gum is an attractive and efficient alternative. Below, we breakdown its benefits and properties.
What makes up a natural gum?
You might be surprised to learn that natural gums are found in almost all processed or packaged foods. In cosmetics, they improve texture, viscosity, and stability of liquid and pasty products. A great example are exfoliants. Often, natural gums are used to suspend exfoliating grains and increase spreadability.
So, what is Tara gum made of?
Curious about these substances, they are derived from seeds, tubers, or plant sources and are prepared through fermentation. In the case of Tara gum, the agent comes from the endosperm of the seed of the Tara tree (Caesalpinia spinosa), which is found in the Peruvian Andes. The substance can be extracted without using any solvents. After heating, the substance hydrates, resulting in an increase in at least 30% viscosity.
This composition makes Tara gum vegan and part of the vegan and halal movements, making it an excellent alternative for various industries, including food, beverages, and cosmetics. A market that should grow 6.3% annually, reaching $20.8 billion by 2025, according to Statista.
What are the benefits of Tara gum?
The resulting substance is rich in vitamins C, B, and complex carbohydrates. Besides being a thickening agent, it is known for its hydrating and protective qualities, making it more than just a viscosity enhancer. Like synthetic petroleum films, Tara gum creates a protective barrier. This barrier reduces trans-epidermal water loss and flaking, improving skin appearance and offering an anti-aging effect. Unlike petroleum-based agents, Tara gum is entirely natural and biodegradable.
Another advantage is its notable biocompatibility. For example, the synergy of Tara gum with xanthan gum is useful for creating product-specific formulas, like gels, without needing high concentrations of both thickeners. This versatility makes it a useful agent in various cosmetic applications – not to mention the comparatively low cost, making it an attractive alternative to petroleum-based agents.
How does Tara gum compare to other natural gums?
Tara gum is an attractive and efficient alternative to petroleum-based agents due to its natural and biodegradable composition, biocompatibility, and versatility. However, the comparison with other natural gums depends on the specific product and application needs.
In a recent study, compared to guar gum, Tara gum had a higher elastic modulus and greater tensile strength, creating a strong and flexible film. Similarly, Tara gum showed a denser polymeric chain structure and smoother, more compact morphology, which enhanced its mechanical properties. Though the study showed Tara gum as exceptional, the most significant finding was this: all the natural gums studied showed potential as effective alternatives to petroleum-based synthetic films (Fei Liu et al., 2019).
Naturally effective, always
Tara gum offers a significant opportunity for the beauty and personal care segment. With natural thickeners and viscosity agents like these, the industry can meet consumer demands for natural ingredients without compromising results. With notable versatility and biodegradable qualities, beauty and personal care can take meaningful steps and expand the list of fully natural ingredients with Tara gum.
That's why Provital is supporting the industry by taking advantage of this opportunity. Combining Tara gum and our 3D matrix technology, HYDROMANIL TM is a new moisturizing active compound that, due to its structure, acts as a protective filmogenic barrier and as a sequential delivery system for small moisturizing molecules. This results in an ideal moisture level and natural bacterial balance. Learn more here.
Enrichment Data:
Overall: Tara gum is a popular choice for both food and cosmetic industries due to its natural, biodegradable, and versatile properties.
Mechanical Properties:- Tara Gum: Known for its excellent water-binding capacity, excellent freezethaw stability, and a clean, smooth mouthfeel, making it suitable for ice cream and other frozen products[1][3].- Xanthan Gum: While highly effective for creating a smooth texture, it does not provide the same level of water-binding as Tara gum[4].- Guar Gum: Effective for ice crystal prevention and creating a smooth texture, but not as efficiently as Tara gum[1][4].
Beauty & Personal Care Applications:- Tara Gum: Enhances texture and mouthfeel in skincare products, providing a creamy consistency that improves the sensory experience of consumers[3].- Xanthan Gum: Primarily used in food products, but its thickening properties could be beneficial in skincare formulations.- Guar Gum and Cassia Gum: Primarily used in food and industrial applications, but Cassia gum can serve as an emulsifier, moisture retainer, stabilizer, and thickening agent[5].
- In the food and cosmetic industries, Tara gum's popularity stems from its natural, biodegradable, and versatile properties, aligning with modern consumers' demands for sustainable practices.
- Tara gum's composition, derived from the Tara tree's endosperm without solvents, makes it vegan and part of the vegan and halal movements, expanding its application across various industries.
- Offering hydrating and protective qualities, Tara gum is more than just a viscosity enhancer, creating a protective barrier to reduce water loss and flaking, contributing to improved skin appearance and providing an anti-aging effect.
- With its exceptional mechanical properties, Tara gum offers an attractive and efficient alternative to petroleum-based agents in both food and cosmetic applications, providing a significant opportunity for the beauty and personal care segment to meet consumer demands for natural ingredients without compromising results.
