Xanthan gum. It is also known by the friendlier name of corn sugar gum. It is described as a high molecular weight natural carbohydrate (or more specifically polysaccharide), produced by a fermentation process. It is a listed ingredient in the British Pharmacopoeia and also used in foods. When used in creams and lotions it imparts a unique lubricity.

Xanthan gum is used to modify the texture of personal care products and to stabilize suspensions, oil-in-water emulsions and foams against separation. The high viscosity associated with xanthan gum solutions at low shear rates enables products to keep particles suspended or prevent oil droplets from coalescing. The viscosity drops when shear is applied, so that products can be easily removed, poured or squeezed from their containers. Once the force is removed, the solutions regain their initial viscosity almost immediately.

It is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products including makeup, skincare products and toothpaste.

Source: Dweck, Anthony. Handbook of Natural Ingredients (Dweck Books 4) . Dweck Data.