Hydroxypropyl Guar
Reviewed by Daisy · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Guar, 2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammoniopropyl ether, chloride, Cationic guar, Hydroxypropyl Guar Gum, Hydroxypropyl Ether, Guar Gum, 2-Hydroxypropyl Ether
Legume-based polysaccharide derived from guar gum | Functions as a thickening agent, film-former, and texture enhancer
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is Hydroxypropyl Guar?
Hydroxypropyl guar is a legume-based polysaccharide derived from guar gum. It serves as a thickening agent in skin care, makeup, and hair care formulations. Hydroxypropyl guar may also be used to help stabilize emulsions and is commonly found in skin care gels, lotions, and hair-conditioning products.
Hydroxypropyl guar is noted for its film-forming and lubricating properties that deliver a smooth feel to skin and hair.
As a raw material for cosmetics, hydroxypropyl guar comes in fine powder form.
In 2015, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed hydroxypropyl guar “safe in the present practices of use and concentration” described in their report, which surveyed 167 personal care products containing up to 2% concentration of hydroxypropyl guar in leave-on formulas and up to 93% concentration for rinse-off products.
Fun fact: Hydroxypropyl guar is also used in artificial tear eye drops.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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CosmeticsInfo.org, Accessed June 2022, ePublication [https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/hydroxypropyl-guar/]
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International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, July 2016, pages 361-372 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813016303099]
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International Journal of Toxicology, September 2015, pages 35S–65S [https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/plpogu092015final.pdf]
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Polysaccharides Bioactivity and Biotechnology, 2015, pages 1,867-1,892 [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278024489_Polysaccharides_Bioactivity_and_Biotechnology]
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Current Eye Research, June 2004, pages 437-444 [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02713680490503787]
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