What is "Hydroxypropyl Guar" and what is its utility?

Hydroxypropyl guar is a derivative of guar gum, a natural substance derived from the guar bean of the botanical name Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. This is a plant from the Fabaceae family that grows in West Africa. Extracted from the seeds, guar gum is primarily composed of a single type of polysaccharide: galactomannan.

Hydroxypropyl guar is derived from the reaction of propylene glycol with guar gum, which enhances its solubility and stability. Chemically, hydroxypropyl guar is a propylene glycol ether. It presents itself as a yellow powder that can be incorporated into various types of preparations as a texturising and binding agent. Unlike guar gum, which is also present in the food industry, the use of hydroxypropyl guar is limited to skin and hair care.

In cosmetics, hydroxypropyl guar is primarily used for the following functions:

• Emulsifier and emulsion stabiliser

  Emulsions are preparations derived from a mixture of aqueous and oily phases. As a surfactant, hydroxypropyl guar facilitates the cohesion between these immiscible phases, with the aim of achieving a homogeneous consistency. It should be noted that the stability of an emulsion influences the shelf life of the skincare product.

• Viscosity Control Agent

  Thehydroxypropyl guar provides a gel-like texture to skin and hair care products.

• Antistatic Agent

  Thehydroxypropyl guar neutralises electrical charges, thereby reducing static electricity and stabilising the formulas.

• Fixing Agent

  It allows the cohesion of various cosmetic ingredients within a single formula.

• Film-forming Agent

  Hydroxypropyl guar forms a protective film on the surface of the skin, hair, and nails, shielding them from external aggressions. By retaining water within the cells, it also prevents dehydration. This ensures the skin maintains a plumped effect, whilst remaining soft and smooth. Furthermore, hydration provides shine to the hair and prevents brittle nails.