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Multi Lamellar Base Cream with SeaKelp Bioferment and Sclerotium Gum (No Oil and No Polymer)
Multi Lamellar Base Cream with SeaKelp Bioferment and Sclerotium Gum (No Oil and No Polymer)
This lovely, simple, and affordable product has become something I don't want to be without. I am 47, with very sensitive and reactive dry skin. This cream doesn't feel particularly moisturizing and leaves something of a 'dry' finish on the skin after application, but it's had SUCH a positive impact on my face. The redness and papules from my rosacea and seb derm have reduced by a good 90%. It's been a magical barrier restorer and I panicked when it was temporarily out of stock. I would recomme.. ...»
Candace Carnahan
Multi Lamellar Base Cream with SeaKelp Bioferment and Sclerotium Gum (No Oil and No Polymer)
Multi Lamellar Base Cream with SeaKelp Bioferment and Sclerotium Gum (No Oil and No Polymer)
Tried this on my week-old rash from flea bites. Got an almost instant relief and rash healed in 2 days. Tried it on my daughter who has eczema for a very long time. The rashes calmed down after a few days and her skin is now healing well. Really great product. Just put in order for another jar.... ...»
Eliz
Multi Lamellar Base Cream with SeaKelp Bioferment and Sclerotium Gum (No Oil and No Polymer)
Multi Lamellar Base Cream with SeaKelp Bioferment and Sclerotium Gum (No Oil and No Polymer)
Wonderful base cream! Only multi-lamellar structured cream I've found on the market. Cream itself is lightweight (no oil) yet very conditioning/hydrating. Easily accepts water-soluble active ingredients as well as oil-soluble ones. I've even pushed the additional ingred % up to 20 (meaning 80% this cream, 20% added) without any separation issues. Ideal base cream for delivering actives. Personal favorite recipe calls for 5% straight Grapeseed Oil with 5% SebumREG oil active + Panthenol 1% + E Ac.. ...»
Vic
Sea Kelp BioFerment (Seakelp ferment)
Sea Kelp BioFerment (Seakelp ferment)
Im 45 years old; average looking skin for my age. Applied a small pea sized amount of Sea Kelp Bioferment to my face full strength in the am after washing my face of previous night makeup.; let face "dry". Then aplied my foundation as always. Noticed my thick, heavy foundation applied more easily and smooth. Keep in mind this is DAY TWO of me using this. TWO women at work ( separate departments) commented how wonderful my face looked! One specifically came up to me and asked what I was.. ...»
Jessie Sandford
Sea Kelp BioFerment (Seakelp ferment)
Sea Kelp BioFerment (Seakelp ferment)
I just placed my first order for SEaKelp Bioferment from Bulk Actives and was pleased to receive it very quickly.. ...»
Viki
Pre Liposome Microemulsion Base
Pre Liposome Microemulsion Base
I have a blind faith of this Pre Liposome Microemulsion, especially it is made in Japan & of Squalane & Lecithin which I am fond of. I mixed it with Palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 peptides liposome emulsion & some other water actives like Glucosamine, Niacinamide, Glutathione etc and the serum was very smooth and moisturizing. As it claims, it penetrates into the skin very well. I will mix it with oil soluble actives in my next batch. .. ...»
RRR
Pre Liposome Microemulsion Base
Pre Liposome Microemulsion Base
This is an excellent additive for increased absorption into the skin. I personally incorporate it with the ceramide lamellar crystal emulsion and multi lamellar base cream V2. The final product delivers a soothing, calming, super moisturizing liquid that penetrates the skin and helps the healing of severe skin issues such as mine (ichthyosis, keratosis). I highly recommend this formulation for those who are not getting any relief from other products and prescription topicals. My skin is finally .. ...»
Nora
Sea Kelp BioFerment (Seakelp ferment)
Sea Kelp BioFerment (Seakelp ferment)
I am very happy with my purchase of SKB from BulkActives. Good quality and packaged well. I use SKB in my Vitamin C serum. Will buy from them again. Can't beat the price either! .. ...»
DBallings
GelMaker Ultra (Emulsifier)
GelMaker Ultra (Emulsifier)
Excellent cold emulsifier. Easy to use and a little goes a long way. Gives product a soft luxurious feel excellent for high end personal skin care products. Wish it came in a larger size..... ...»
Angela
GelMaker Ultra (Emulsifier)
GelMaker Ultra (Emulsifier)
Very easy to use. I like it as a thickener for ready emulsion if it is too liquid. Using it as a single emulsifier keep in mind to add less actives... ...»
Nat
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BulkActives has been in business since 2005, we might have disappeared from google search results, 

but we're still hanging on, just, mainly thanks to the support of some loyal customers.

However, like many, COVID hit us hard, and we're having a lot of trouble recovering.

Right now, we have not restocked many powders, however, are looking at continuing with selling only our flagship products:

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Home » FUNCTIONALS » Sclerotium Gum

Sclerotium Gum

Sclerotium gum is an active ingredient obtained through fermentation from hardened fungal masses of various types of fungi. The most common source is a parasitic fungus named Sclerotium rolfsii.  Due to its efficiency as a thickening agent, emulsifier and stabilizer, sclerotium gum is used in numerous applications in the industrial, food and pharmaceutical fields. Recent research showed that sclerotium gum is a compound perfectly suitable for topical delivery of pharmaceuticals and natural active ingredients. Besides providing the right viscosity and stability of the topical preparation, the gum also has multiple benefits for the skin. Sclerotium gum is high in polysaccharides, especially beta glucans, namely scleroglucan, and has multiple benefits for the skin: it protects the lipid barrier, prevents water loss, increases moisturization, protects and repair damaged skin, enhances the local immune response and increases collagen production and deposits.

Key benefits of Sclerotium Gum in skin care:

  • moisturizing and hydration [9][12][13]
  • anti-inflammatory [6] [10]
  • wound healing support [6] [10]
  • sun damage protection [10]
  • sun damage repair [10]
  • stimulate collagen production[11]
  • Anti-bacterial [11]
  • Antioxidant [10]
  • Restore barrier function [9][12][13]
 
  • Emulsion stabilizer
  • Improves flow of emulsions
  • Wide pH tolerance :: 5 to 12
  • Offers a nice feel to products
  • Viscosity not affected by high heat
  • Stable in extreme physical and chemical conditions
  • Creates smooth flowing gels / serums
  • Improves natural moisture levels in skin and hair
  • Gels the water phase for enhanced viscosity without stiffness
  • Outstanding suspending ability
  • Alternative to carbopol and Gelmaker Ultra
  • Moisturizer
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Product Code: BulkActives
CAS#: 39464-87-4
Net weight: 30g /1.06oz
Availability: Product Out Of Stock
Price: $17.00


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About Sclerotium Gum in DIY Skin Care

Sclerotium is a generic name for a stage in the lifecycle of some parasitic fungi meant to ensure survival in adverse conditions. The sclerotia are hard, compact fungal masses with low water content and high content of active ingredients. Various types of sclerotia have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine all over the world for their properties [1] One of their useful properties is the high content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) which are high molecular mass particles [2]. The EPS’s, which are manly polysaccharides, are vital in determining, balancing and stabilizing the composition of the extracellular environment.  The exopolysaccharides are key players in maintaining a biofilm, which is a natural, specific environment for microorganisms characterized by various physio-chemical properties. [3].

Sclerotium gum is obtained through a complex fermentation process. Due to its properties it is currently used in the food and pharmaceutical industry in applications such as targeted drugs delivery and visco-surgery [4]. One of the most popular sources for sclerotium gum is a parasitic fungus called Athelia rolfsii. Sclerotium rolfsii contains a neutral polysaccharide called scleroglucan which has jellifying and rheological properties by means of polymerization [5]. Sclerotium gum is an excellent thickening agent used in high-end cosmetics, but also compatible with DYI cosmetics, especially due to its stability, ease of use and efficiency.

Compared to other thickening, jellifying and rheological substances, sclerotium gum is superior in several parameters. Due to the polymerization of polysaccharides, such as scleroglucan, the gum is able to form highly stable gels. Unlike other agents, sclerotium gum is very stable with temperature and pH [6]. Amongst 140 polymers tested in an industrial application the sclerotium gum solution ranked highest, maintaining its viscosity at 90% after 500 days at 90 degrees [7].

Sclerotium gum is ideal for topical delivery of active ingredients. Studies have shown that the active is an effective emulsifier and suspension stabilizer [8]. Its advantage is that it provides potent stabilization and emulsification, with great results in ensuring even distribution and concentration of the active ingredients and is 100% natural. Furthermore, the main active ingredient scleroglucan is a beta glucan. Beta glucans are active ingredients that provide numerous benefits for the skin such as: better penetration of the epidermis, enhanced moisturization and improved overall appearance [9]. Several studies showed that beta glucans have strong immune-modulating, antioxidant and radio-protective effects which make them ideal for cosmetic products that aim to protect and repair the skin against UVR damage [10].

Scleroglucan also stimulates immunity by enhancing macrophage production and activity. Laboratory studies showed that scleroglucan is the most effective antitumor agent among the exopolysaccharides. In vivo studies have shown that scleroglucan is the most potent immune-stimulant, anti-tumor, anti-neoplastic and anti-microbial effects amongst the beta-D-glucans [6].  In topical treatments all these effects are useful in fighting keratocytes mutation and malignancy proliferation. Furthermore, due to macrophage activation and anti-bacterial properties scleroglucan also supports wound healing.  Several studies have shown that beta-glucans, including scleroglucan, supports keratinocytes regeneration, stimulates collagen production and deposits and enhances the immune response on wound site [11].

Scleroglucan also supports and stimulates the barrier function by generating lipid formation. Studies have shown that it increases ceramides and cholesterol levels in the skin and implicitly it supports the lipid barrier. In-vivo research showed that scleroglucan leads to better moisturization [12].  Clinical studies focussing on polysaccharides including scleroglucan showed that they balance the trans-epidermal water loss reduction (TEWL) preventing skin dehydration, excessive dryness and supporting the barrier function [13].
 

Sclerotium Gum in Skin Care

Sclerotium Gum is an outstanding natural thickening agent that offers multifunctional gelling, and stabilizing activity.  Sclerotium Gum will also deliver skin softening properties.  Derived from the fermentation of the genus Sclerotium, a filamentous Mushroom.  The result is a all natural, ultra pure, polysaccharide polymer.  The addition of Sclerotium Gum to your formulations allows for the development of stable gels and creams that deliver excellent sensory characteristics.  Sclerotium Gum will also improve the film forming properties acting as a natural skin moisturizer and skin soother.

Sclerotium Gum is one of the most stable, of the natural polymers, even in the presence of high heat, products formulated with Sclerotium Gum will maintain their viscosity.   Sclerotium Gum thickens your products, keeping them stable against high heat, electrolytes, or any other conditions that usually challenge natural gelling agents, improving the feel of the product, the skin, and the hair, while improving natural moisture levels.

When used in formulation at low levels, of 0.5, to 2.0%, Sclerotium Gumwill increase viscosity while maintaining good fluidity, flexibility, and pouring, properties.

Sclerotium Gum is also an, extremely, effective suspension agent where it will hold particles in suspension, and eliminate sedimentation issues, making it the perfect choice for use in formulations with pigments and sunscreens.

The multi functionality, stability, and compatibility, of Sclerotium Gum makes it an excellent choice for all personal care products. The non-ionic nature allows it to be used over a wide pH range, of 5.0 to 12.0, and it is compatible with most other thickeners, and most commonly used surfactants.  This is the polymer of choice, in formulations with cationic emulsifiers and conditioners, especially BTMS.

Sclerotium Gum is an excellent addition to natural sunscreens.  The film forming benefits are particularly suited to these systems where the film forming benefits are helpful in meeting the new requirements of water resistance.  Sclerotium Gum will also help to protect the basic emulsion properties when using the natural pigments (zinc and titanium).
CAS No.:39464-87-4
INCI: Sclerotium Gum
Source:  Fermentation of Sclerotium rolfsii (filamentous Mushroom)
Appearance: White granules
Odor:  Characteristic
Solubility: water (0.25 – 2.0% at 20C)
Suggested percentage:  0.25 – 2.0%
  •         0.8 to 1.5% for standard gels
  •         0.2 to 0.8% to stabilize emulsions
  •         1.5 to 2.0% to suspend in cleansing systems
  •         0.3 to 0.6% for spray-able solutions / suspensions
  •         0.5 to 1.5% to stabilize / thicken cleansing systems
pH: 1% Solution = 6.0 to 9.0
Viscosity: 0.5% Solution = 500 to 800 cp
Charge:  Non-Ionic

Storage: Tightly Sealed, Protected from Moisture / Heat
Shelf: 60 Months when Properly Stored / Handled!
Country of origin: China
 
  1. Bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au, (2015). Mycology - Structure and Function - Sclerotia and Stromata. [online] Available at: http://bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au/learning/resources/Mycology/StructureFunction/sclerotiaStromata.shtml#sclerotium [Accessed 7 Dec. 2015].
  2. Staudt, C., Horn, H., Hempel, D. and Neu, T. (2004). Volumetric measurements of bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substance glycoconjugates in biofilms. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 88(5), pp.585-592.
  3.  Donlan, R. (2002). Biofilms: Microbial Life on Surfaces. Emerg. Infect. Dis., 8(9), pp.881-890.
  4. Morris, G. and Harding, S. (2009). Microbial Polysaccharides. 1st ed. [ebook] Sutton Bonington: Elsevier Inc, pp.482-494. Available at: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ncmh/harding_pdfs/Paper322.pdf [Accessed 7 Dec. 2015].
  5. Grassi, M. (1996). A study of the rheological behavior of scleroglucan weak gel systems. Carbohydrate Polymers, 29(2), pp.169-181.
  6. Survase, S.A. et al. (2007).Fermentative Production of Scleroglucan, Food Technol. Biotechnol. 45 (2) 107–118
  7. Brigand,G. (1993).Scleroglucan. Industrial Gums. Academic Press, New York, USA pp. 461–472.
  8. Vinarta, S., Francois, N., Figueroa, L. and Farina, J. (2007). Sclerotium rolfsii scleroglucan: the promising behavior of a natural polysaccharide as a drug delivery vehicle, suspension stabilizer and emulsifier. Int J Biol Macromol., 41(3), pp.314-23.
  9. Chen J., Seviour R (2007). Medicinal importance of fungal β-(1→3),(1→6) glucans. Mycol. Res.111. pp.635–652.
  10. Lee, S.B., Jeon H.W., Lee Y.W., Lee Y.M.L., Song K.W., Park M.H., Nam Y.S., Ahn H.C. (2003).Bio-artificial skin composed of gelatin and (1->3), (1->6)-glucan. Biomaterials, 24, pp. 2503-2511.
  11. Delatte S.J., Evans J., Hebra A., Adamson W., Othersen H.B., Tagge E.P. (2001). Effectiveness of beta-glucan collagen for treatment of partial-thickness burns in children. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 36. pp. 113-118
  12. Du B., Bian Z., and Xu B., (2014). Skin Health Promotion Effects of Natural Beta-Glucan Derived from Cereals and Microorganisms: A Review. Phytother. Res.28(2). pp. 159–166
  13. Maia Campos, P., de Melo, M. and de Camargo Junior, F. (2014). Effects of Polysaccharide-Based Formulations on Human Skin. Polysaccharides, pp.1-18.

Click here to download all available sample recipes in a RAR file

Download and unzip using WinZip or 7-Zip (Free)

Link to Instructional video (a normal kitchen stick blender may be used)
  1. Sprinkle the Sclerotium Gum granules of directly into the water at a temperature of 20°C or more. Note that the warmer the water the more quickly the gum with gel. At 20°C is could take up to 15-45 minutes with mixing.
  2. Shake until the granules completely dissolve (as long as necessary depending on the kind of apparatus used). Tests reveal the emulsifier rotor/stator (hand mixer or stick blender ) is by far the most efficient and therefore the most recommended.

   Suggested percentage:  0.25 – 2.0%

  •         0.8 to 1.5% for standard gels
  •         0.2 to 0.8% to stabilize emulsions
  •         1.5 to 2.0% to suspend in cleansing systems
  •         0.3 to 0.6% for spray-able solutions / suspensions
  •         0.5 to 1.5% to stabilize / thicken cleansing systems
At the stage where Sclerotium Gum is completely dissolved the other ingredients in the formula should be added (oily phase, actives, etc.). It will then take 24 hours to obtain a stable viscosity.
Notice that heating the water speeds up the gelling of clerotium Gum

Viscosity of an Sclerotium Gum gel according to temperature of water

The use of 0.25 to 2.0% Naturajel provides viscosity of 60 to 12,000cps. We can thus create more or less a supple, more or less fluid textures, depending on the final product you wish to obtain.  From 0.8%,the aqueous preparations obtained form a solid gel.

Stability of Sclerotium Gum gel

In Extreme Physical and Chemical Conditions formulating with gelling agents always creates stabilizing issues for the product when in contact with certain raw materials (electrolytes, alcohol, etc.) or in extreme pH conditions. Most of the other gelling agents present a good stability towards some of these parameters, however, Sclerotium Gum gel has the quality of being stable in all situations. This has been proven by viscosity measurements carried out on gels made in typical conditions with 1.0% Sclerotium Gum later adding the various elements to be studied (salt, ethanol, etc.).

Presence of Ethanol

The gel remains very stable until it reaches a concentration of 15% ethanol. The gelling ability decreases for greater quantities. Formulating alcoholic products is thus possible, however Naturajel ™   must first be sprinkled into water, and the alcohol should be added once the Amigel® network is formed.

Presence of Propylene Glycol

In the presence of 1 to 25% propylene glycol, the gel presents high stability.

Presence of Salts

Tests have been carried out for a concentration in NaCl of 1 to 12%. Strong stability can benoticed on the whole range of concentrations. This characteristic makes manufacturing finished products containing seawater possible.

pH

Viscosity measurements were taken for pHs varying between 2 and 11. Noted was a high stability rate, even for extreme pH. These results are exceptional for a gelling agent.

Presence of Oils

Essential oils are extremely concentrated products which should be integrated into the formulas in small quantities. Otherwise, they can destabilize the finished products. Sclerotium Gum gel was tested with different concentrations containing 0.05% to 4.0% Lavender essential oil, without a solubilizer. Up to 3.0% of Lavender essential oil can be stably incorporated into Sclerotium Gum gel. This is a very high dosage for a finished cosmetic product.

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Tags: Sclerotium gum, emulsifiers, thickeners, gels, moisturizing and hydration, anti-inflammatory, wound healing support, sun damage protection, sun damage repair, stimulate collagen production, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, restore barrier function
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