What is Acacia Gum?

Acacia Gum, also known as gum arabic, comes from the sap of the Acacia senegal tree. The sap dries in the air into hard droplets and is then ground into a fine, light beige powder. The scent is virtually zero, at most very slightly earthy.

On the skin, acacia gum provides a soft, smooth feel. It forms a thin, breathable layer that helps retain moisture. In formulas, it acts as a natural thickener and prevents mixtures from separating.

What do you make it with? Acacia gum is the thickener for light, watery formulas: a clear facial gel or gel serum, a facial mist or body spray, a natural hair spray or curl gel, and a light lotion or cream to which you want to give more body. You never use it pure, always incorporated into a formula.

What are the benefits of Acacia Gum?

• Smooth skin feel – Acacia gum dries into a very thin layer on the skin. That immediately feels soft and helps retain moisture, so skin doesn't dry out as quickly.
• Light hair hold – The layer provides subtle hold and shine without a stiff or sticky feel. Perfect for curls or homemade hair spray.
• Mixes oil through water – The gum helps distribute small oil droplets in water. Handy for a lightly scented spray, though a separate solvent is needed for more oil.
• Dissolves quickly – The powder mixes easily in cold or lukewarm water without lumps. Good stirring and mixing is enough. That makes it nice for beginners.
• Supports skin balance – The natural fibers in acacia gum are mild on the skin and help maintain skin balance.
• Mild and odorless – Suitable for sensitive skin, perfume-free and alcohol-free.

How to use Acacia Gum?

Facial gel or serum: Use 1–3% in the water phase. Sprinkle the powder slowly and stir or mix until smooth. Let stand for 10–20 minutes so it fully swells.

Spray: Use 0.2–1% for a clear, gentle spray. With essential oil: maximum 1% in the formula and never undiluted. Preferably also use a solvent.

Lotion or cream: Use 0.2–1% in the water phase as extra stabilizer. Let dissolve well before adding the oil phase.

Hair spray or gel: Use 1–2% in water. Optionally combine with aloe vera or glycerin for extra softness.

What should you watch out for?

Acacia gum is for external use only and is not suitable for consumption. Always use it incorporated into a formula, never undiluted on the skin.

Always preserve watery formulas. Store the powder itself cool and dry in the closed packaging.

Acacia Gum or Solagum Ax?

These two look similar, but are not the same. Solagum Ax is a ready-made combination of acacia gum and xanthan gum, combined into one powder. That thickens more strongly, works from 0.5% and is stable over a wide pH range.

Choose pure acacia gum if you want to control your texture yourself, if you're making a very light gel or spray, or if you're specifically looking for acacia's soft, film-forming character without the firmness of xanthan. Choose Solagum Ax if you want a quick creamy cream or firm gel with as little fuss as possible.

What makes Acacia Gum so special?

It's the same natural binder used by artists in watercolor paint and that gives candy its shine. In skincare and hair products, that same property provides that smooth, silky feel.

INCI: Acacia Senegal Gum. Fine powder, odorless to slightly earthy, soluble in water. Perfume-free, alcohol-free and not tested on animals. Shelf life 36 months.