Tara (Caesalpinia spinosa) Gum, a Multifunctional Polymer for Hair Care

Tara gum, a galactomannan derived from the seeds of the Caesalpinia Spinosa plant, is known for its high thickening capability, good solubility, and synergistic behavior with other hydrocolloids. While it has been widely used in the food industry as a stabilizer, thickener, and texturizer, its potential in the cosmetic industry is still being explored. This article studies the use of tara gum in various cosmetic applications, more specifically hair care products such as conditioners, treatments and styling formulations. The thickening ability and sensory contribution were assessed in hair conditioners. Tara gum’s styling performance was also evaluated by measuring the curl retention under high humidity conditions and hair stiffness. Additionally, a particle adhesion test simulated its effectiveness as a shield against pollution. Finally, associations with other synthetic or natural-derived polymers were explored. The results showed tara gum’s effectiveness in various hair care formulations. It enhanced viscosity and stability in conditioners, improved curl retention and resistance to high humidity in styling products, and reduced particle adhesion for pollution-resistant formulations. Synergies in combination with naturally derived and synthetic polymers were also demonstrated, with improved thickening or film-forming performance. Overall, these findings highlight tara gum’s potential as a natural and sustainable ingredient for high-performance and environmentally friendly cosmetic products.