Sclerotium Gum

Product Overview

Sclerotium Gum is a high-performance polysaccharide thickener and stabilizer produced through the fermentation of natural sugars, prized for its ability to deliver elegant viscosity control and exceptional emulsion stability. Formulators value this versatile cosmetic raw material for creating rich yet lightweight textures that offer a smooth, luxurious sensory profile across a wide array of personal care products. By enhancing consistency and application aesthetics, it ensures refined, stable formulations that feel beautifully cushioned on the skin.

Key Benefits & Cosmetic Applications

When formulating with Sclerotium Gum, cosmetic chemists and DIY creators alike benefit from its multifunctional performance and formulation flexibility. This sophisticated rheology modifier provides exceptional structural support while elevating the user experience through superior texture enhancement.

• Efficient Viscosity Control: Helps build and maintain desirable viscosity in water-based serums and aqueous gels, creating textures that feel smooth, stable, and effortless to apply.
• Emulsion Stabilization: Supports the structural integrity of oil-in-water emulsions by preventing phase separation, ensuring long-term stability in complex skin care formulations.
• Pleasant Sensory Enhancement: Contributes a silky, cushion-like skin feel that improves the overall application experience without leaving a heavy or excessively tacky residue.
• Broad pH Compatibility: Remains highly functional across a wide pH range, offering excellent formulation flexibility for diverse professional cosmetic formulations and active ingredient systems.
• Versatile Application Support: Ideal for a variety of formats, including gel creams, moisturizing lotions, hair care systems, and sulfate-free cleansers where refined texture and stability are paramount.

Technical Profile & Specifications

Formulation & Processing Guidelines

How to Incorporate

• Add Sclerotium Gum to the water phase of your cosmetic formulations.
• For the best results, pre-disperse the powder in a compatible humectant—such as glycerin, propanediol, butylene glycol, or pentylene glycol—before adding it to water, as this separates polymer particles, minimizes agglomeration ("fish eyes"), and promotes faster, more uniform hydration.
• If you choose not to use a humectant pre-dispersion, slowly sift the powder into rapidly agitated water and mix continuously, preferably using high-shear equipment, until a smooth, homogeneous gel forms.
• Avoid adding large quantities of dry powder directly into stagnant water, as this can trap dry particles and create persistent agglomerates.
• Always optimize your processing conditions based on the specific formulation, mixing equipment, and desired viscosity profile.

Compatibility

• Sclerotium Gum is highly compatible with a broad pH range of approximately 3 to 12.
• It is frequently used and performs well in stable emulsions, aqueous gels, and surfactant-based systems.
• Formulators should evaluate specific electrolyte tolerance, salt sensitivity, and compatibility with individual active ingredients through formulation testing.
• When developing complex systems, it is important to conduct stability and compatibility assessments under your intended use conditions.

Formulation Tips

• Pre-dispersing the gum in a humectant before hydration is considered a best practice for achieving smooth gels, minimizing agglomeration, and maximizing thickening efficiency.
• Start at the lower end of the recommended usage range and increase the amount gradually until you achieve the desired viscosity, texture, and sensory profile.
• Allow sufficient time for the polymer to fully hydrate before making viscosity adjustments or evaluating the finished product, as complete hydration directly influences the final rheology.
• Sclerotium Gum performs exceptionally well as a natural rheology modifier and can be combined with other gums or thickeners to create customized flow properties and elegant textures.
• As with any cosmetic ingredient, always perform stability and compatibility testing under anticipated manufacturing, storage, and use conditions.

Suggested Applications

• Water-based serums and gel serums
• Gel creams and moisturizing lotions
• Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions
• Facial masks
• Sulfate-free cleansers
• Hair care applications and scalp treatments

Sustainability & Ethical Profile

Sclerotium Gum is a biotechnology-derived polysaccharide produced through the natural fermentation of plant-based sugars. This renewable production method aligns seamlessly with modern preferences for thoughtfully sourced, high-performance cosmetic raw materials that minimize environmental impact while delivering exceptional formulation benefits.

In alignment with Crafting Cosmetics sourcing standards, this ingredient is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

Regulatory & Safety Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This product is supplied as a cosmetic raw material for external use only. It is intended for cosmetic and personal care formulation applications only and should not be used as a finished product.

Technical Documentation

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Specification Sheet (SPEC)
• Technical Data Sheet (TDS)