Commonly known as gum arabic, the "Acacia Senegal Gum" or Senegal acacia gum is a natural thickener. It is a complex mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Here's what you need to know about the usefulness of this ingredient.
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What is "Acacia Senegal Gum" and what is its purpose?
Summary
- Acacia Senegal Gum: What is it?
- Acacia Senegal Gum: What is its purpose?
- Acacia Senegal Gum: In which skincare products can it be found?
Published November 16, 2021,
updated on February 3, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
3 min read
Acacia Senegal Gum: What is it?
Renowned for its film-forming properties, "Acacia Senegal Gum" is derived from the trunk and leaves of various species of African Acacia, trees of a reddish-brown colour. It is a natural and renewable resource. Once extracted from the bark of the acacia, the hardened sap is ground into a powder form.
Composed of long-chain branched carbohydrates, acacia gum is a thickening and binding agent that exerts a firming action on the skin. Once mixed with water, Senegal's acacia gum forms a kind of gel that enhances the texture of skincare products.
Gum arabic, or acacia gum, is derived from the Acacia Senegal, a thorny tree that stands between 2 and 12 metres tall. Its content of glycoproteins and polysaccharides makes it an effective lifting and tightening agent. This ingredient is incorporated into many firming treatments as well as eye contour care products. Its solubility in water can reach up to 50%. However, it is incompatible with alcohol, ferric salts, mineral acids, lead salts, and oxalic acids.
Acacia gum is primarily composed of arabinogalactan (88%), arabino-galactan protein (10%) and glycoproteins (2%).
Acacia Senegal Gum: What is its purpose?
Gum arabic is often used in eyeliners and mascaras to enhance their durability. In toothpastes, it serves to combat cavities, much like sodium fluoride. Moreover, Senegal acacia gum is used as anadditive in food under the designation E414. Frequently used in oriental pastries, it helps to improve the texture of a preparation.
In cosmetology, it refers to:
Of a film-forming agent : It creates a continuous film on the hair, skin or nails;
Regarding a masking agent : It inhibits or reduces the base odour of skincare products;
Of a emulsion stabiliser ;
Of a lifting and tightening active ingredient ;
Regarding a bonding agent in makeup care.
Furthermore, the Senegal acacia gum performs other functions:
It reduces the appearance of wrinkles and smooths the skin;
It protects it against dehydration;
It restores its vitality.
The gum acacia from Senegal is also used as an adhesive for envelopes, labels, and stamps.
Acacia Senegal Gum: In which skincare products can it be found?
Our moisturising gel with aloe vera and organic orange blossom contains acacia gum from Senegal. In addition to soothing the skin, this treatment hydrates and calms it after sun exposure.
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