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 absent, at most very lightly 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 hairspray or curl gel, and a light lotion or cream to which you want to add 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 to a very thin layer on the skin. This feels immediately soft and helps retain moisture, so the skin doesn't dry out as quickly.
• Light hold for hair – The layer provides subtle hold and shine without feeling stiff or sticky. Great for curls or homemade hairspray.
• Mixes oil through water – The gum helps distribute small oil droplets throughout 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. This makes it great for beginners.
• Feeds beneficial skin bacteria – The natural fibers in acacia gum nourish helpful bacteria on the skin. This helps maintain skin balance.
• Mild and odorless – Suitable for sensitive skin, fragrance-free and alcohol-free.

How do you 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 it sit 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 it fully dissolve before adding the oil phase.

Hairspray 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 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 are similar, but not the same. Solagum Ax is a ready-made combination of acacia gum and xanthan gum, combined into one powder. It thickens more strongly, works from 0.5% onwards and is stable across 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 specifically want the soft, film-forming character of acacia without the firmness of xanthan. Choose Solagum Ax if you want a creamy cream or firm gel quickly with as little fuss as possible.

What makes Acacia Gum so special?

It's the same natural binder that artists use in watercolor paint and that gives candy its shine. In skincare and hair products, that same property creates that smooth, supple feel.

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