xanthan gum
what it is
A polysaccharide gum produced by fermenting sugars with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris — INCI name Xanthan Gum. It is the same thickener that stabilises salad dressings, doing the same honest job here.
why we use it
It stabilises cloud's emulsion, adds a soft, natural-feeling slip, and shares the structural work with carbomer so we can use less of each. It is fermentation-derived and biodegradable — one of the least complicated choices on the label.
where you'll find it
In cloud at 0.20%.
evidence
Functional — its stabilising contribution shows up in the same heat and time testing every locked formula has to pass.
safety
Food-grade, biodegradable, and essentially free of safety flags in topical use; reactions are rare enough to be reportable curiosities.