What Is Tara gum?

Learn about the absorbent, film-forming, hair conditioning, hair-waving and straightening, skin conditioning, skin conditioning emollient, and viscosity-controlling characteristics of Tara gum and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Tara gum? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Tara gum?

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What is the purpose of Tara gum in personal care products? It is used for its absorbent, film-forming, hair conditioning, hair-waving and straightening, skin conditioning, skin conditioning emollient, and viscosity-controlling characteristics. Tara gum absorbs liquid, creates a thin layer on the skin/nails/hair, improves the look and feel of hair, straightens or waves your hair, moisturizes and strengthens skin, hydrates skin to prevent dryness, and adjusts the thickness of a product.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Tara gum, Neosoft T, Spino Gum, Inagel Tara Gum P, Tara Gum AL, TIC Pretested, Vidogum SP 150, White Gum 150, Polygum 43/1, Tara Polygum 43/1, TIC Pretested Tara gum 100, and MT 1000 (tara gum).

What Are Absorbent Ingredients?

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Tara gum has absorbent characteristics.

Absorbent ingredients are substances added to products to help them absorb moisture or oil. For example, in a face powder, absorbent ingredients like talc or silica help to absorb excess oil on the skin and give a matte finish. In deodorants, absorbent ingredients like baking soda or cornstarch helps to absorb sweat and moisture.

Besides cosmetic items, absorbent ingredients are found in other products like diapers. Super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) help keep babies dry by quickly absorbing and locking away moisture.

Types of Absorbent Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of absorbent ingredients in cosmetics:

  • Powders: Cosmetics may contain a variety of powders, such as talc, cornstarch, or silica, which can help to absorb excess oil or moisture from the skin.

  • Clays: Natural clays, such as kaolin or bentonite, are often used in cosmetics as they can absorb excess oil and unwanted substances from the skin.

  • Charcoal: Activated charcoal is sometimes used in cosmetics as it can absorb impurities and toxins from the skin.

  • Gels: Some gels, such as aloe vera gel, can have absorbent properties and may be used in cosmetics to help soothe and moisturize the skin.

  • Polymers: Certain polymers, such as polyacrylates or cross-linked polyethylene, can be used in cosmetics to absorb excess moisture from the skin or to create a smooth, matte finish.

What Are Film-Forming Ingredients?

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Tara gum has film-forming characteristics.

Film-forming ingredients are used in many cosmetic products, including skincare, haircare, and makeup. These ingredients can have different chemical compositions and functions, but they all share the goal of creating a film on the surface they are applied on.

In skincare products, film-forming ingredients are often used to create a barrier on the skin's surface that helps to lock in moisture. This can benefit people with dry or sensitive skin, as it can help to prevent the skin from becoming dehydrated and irritated. Some film-forming ingredients can also provide a temporary tightening or lifting effect, which can help reduce the visibility of lines and wrinkles on your skin.

In haircare products, film-forming ingredients can help smooth and protect the hair cuticle, making hair look shinier and feel smoother. Film-forming ingredients can also help to protect hair from environmental stressors like heat styling and pollution.

In makeup products, film-forming ingredients can help create a smooth, even base for additional products like foundation or powder. They can also help to improve the wear time of makeup products by creating a barrier that helps to keep them in place.

What Are Hair Conditioning Ingredients?

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Tara gum has hair conditioning characteristics.

Hair conditioning ingredients are used in cosmetic products to enhance the appearance and feel of hair. They leave your hair easy to comb, flexible, soft, and shiny while imparting volume, lightness, gloss, and texture.

One of the critical functions of hair conditioning ingredients is to smooth the surface of the hair strands. This makes the hair easier to comb or brush, reducing the risk of breakage and split ends. Conditioning ingredients also help to seal the hair cuticle, which helps to reduce frizz and enhance shine.

Types of Hair Conditioning Ingredients

Different conditioning ingredients work in different ways to achieve these results. For example, some ingredients, like silicones, natural oils, and fatty alcohols, help to create a protective film around each hair strand, which locks in moisture and prevents dryness.

Other ingredients, like proteins and amino acids, penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen and repair damaged hair. These ingredients work by filling in the gaps in the hair's structure, smoothing the surface, and increasing elasticity.

Hair conditioning products also often contain ingredients that provide volume and texture, such as polymers and thickeners. These ingredients can help give hair a fuller, thicker appearance, making it more manageable and easier to style.

What Are Hair-Waving and Straightening Ingredients?

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Tara gum has hair-waving and straightening characteristics.

Hair-waving and straightening ingredients change the texture of your hair and work by modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required.

Hair-waving products contain a chemical that breaks down the bonds that hold the hair in its current shape. Once these bonds are broken, the hair can be set in a new shape using rollers or other styling tools. Once the hair has been set, a neutralizing agent is applied, which reforms the broken bonds and sets the hair in its new shape.

On the other hand, hair straightening products break down the protein bonds in the hair and then re-form them in a straight pattern. This process usually involves a straightening iron or other heat sources to help set the hair in the desired shape. The results of hair straightening products can last up to several months, depending on how well the hair is cared for after the treatment.

The chemical ingredients in these products can vary, but many contain ammonium thioglycolate, which is used to break down the bonds in the hair for waving. For straightening, sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide is often used to break down the protein bonds in the hair.

What Are Skin Conditioning Ingredients?

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Tara gum has skin conditioning characteristics.

Skin conditioning ingredients improve the texture, feel, and overall appearance of the skin, helping to avoid harmful effects from external factors. Skin conditioning ingredients moisturize the skin and strengthen its natural barrier function to help protect it from damage caused by harsh weather and sunlight. Some skin conditioning ingredients are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce redness and irritated skin.

What Are Skin Conditioning Emollient Ingredients?

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Tara gum has skin conditioning emollient characteristics.

Skin conditioning emollients help improve the skin's texture and appearance while providing it with the necessary hydration to prevent dryness and flakiness. Emollients are lubricants that create a barrier on the skin's surface to trap moisture, which helps prevent dryness and dehydration.

Skin conditioning emollients are commonly found in cosmetics such as moisturizers and lotions, which significantly help maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin. Emollients are typically made from natural oils, such as coconut or jojoba, and can also contain humectants that draw moisture to the skin's surface.

What Are Viscosity-Controlling Ingredients?

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Tara gum has viscosity-controlling characteristics.

Viscosity-controlling ingredients increase or decrease the thickness of a product. These ingredients are essential in creating the desired texture and consistency for cosmetic products such as lotions, creams, and serums.

Increasing the viscosity of a cosmetic product can provide a thicker and more substantial texture, making it easier to apply and providing better coverage. On the other hand, decreasing the viscosity can create a lighter, more fluid consistency, allowing for quicker absorption into the skin.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.