VEEGUM Magnesium Aluminum Silicate: Rheology Modifier and Suspension Stabilizer for Pharma and Cosmetics
Written by: Zainab Tariq Baig
Technical Business Development - ADCHEM
23 Sep 2026 | 5 min read
What is VEEGUM?
VEEGUM® is the Vanderbilt Minerals brand of magnesium aluminum silicate, a naturally derived, highly purified smectite clay supplied in several grades for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. Beyond simple thickening, it supports rheology control, suspension and emulsion stability, and sensory performance in a wide range of applications.
It is typically chosen when a formulator needs one or more of the following:
- A rheology modifier with shear-thinning behavior and viscosity recovery at rest
- A suspending agent that helps keep actives, pigments or particulates uniformly dispersed
- An emulsion stabilizer for creams and lotions
- A silky, non-sticky skin feel when used within a well-designed formulation
How VEEGUM works: the "house of cards" structure
When hydrated and dispersed correctly, VEEGUM’s plate-like smectite particles can form a three-dimensional “house of cards” network. This structure contributes to rheology modification: the formulation flows more readily when shear is applied and rebuilds viscosity at rest. Together with particle surface charge and interactions with the rest of the formulation, this helps support suspension and emulsion stability and helps topical products stay where they are applied.
Vanderbilt Minerals also reports that VEEGUM R works synergistically with xanthan gum and CMC, giving greater thickening, stabilizing and suspending performance than either alone, and that it can reduce the slippery or sticky feel of gums and polymers.
VEEGUM grades
Grades differ in viscosity, tolerance to acid and electrolytes, hydration speed and compendial or natural-certification status. The table below summarizes the Vanderbilt Minerals grade overview.
| Grade | Key characteristic | Compendial / certification |
|---|---|---|
| VEEGUM R | General purpose grade; suspension stabilizer, emulsion optimizer and rheology modifier. Recommended use level 0.5% to 3%. | NF Type IA; NATRUE approved |
| VEEGUM HV | Higher viscosity grade; functionality similar to VEEGUM R | NF Type IC |
| VEEGUM K | High acid and electrolyte compatibility; used in oral suspensions | NF Type IIA |
| VEEGUM HS | Highest electrolyte stability, minimum acid demand | Purified Bentonite NF |
| VEEGUM Ultra | Fastest hydration, very white; for acidic dispersions and skin-pH topicals | See TDS |
| VEEGUM EZ | Fast hydration; for acidic dispersions and skin-pH topicals | See TDS |
| VEEGUM Pure | Specially processed for organic and natural personal care products | ECOCERT / COSMOS grade |
| VEEGUM D | Fast hydration; dentifrice binder, emulsion and suspension stabilizer | See TDS |
Availability of individual grades in each ADCHEM territory may vary. Ask ADCHEM to confirm the grade, packaging and lead time for your market.
Pharmaceutical applications
| Application | Formulation benefit | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Oral suspensions | Helps improve suspension stability, reduce caking and maintain formulation uniformity. | Paracetamol, loratadine and antacid suspensions |
| Topical creams, gels and lotions | Supports rheology control, formulation stability and smooth application. | Diclofenac topical formulations, benzoyl peroxide lotions, hydrocortisone creams |
| Wet granulation and tablets | VEEGUM R is widely used in wet granulation, where it can contribute binding, stability, taste masking and disintegration, and can support tablet hardness while maintaining suitable dissolution profiles. In direct compression, VEEGUM works as a nonmigratory binder and low-bulk disintegrant, which can help tablet hardness and disintegration without a granulation step. | Metformin, trospium chloride and oseltamivir tablets |
Cosmetic and personal care applications
| Application | Formulation benefit | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Skincare and face masks | Mineral structure supports easy rinse-off and a cleansing, non-stripping feel in mask formats. Suited to formulations aimed at oily or blemish-prone skin. | Face masks, acne treatments, exfoliants, sunscreens |
| Haircare | Helps absorb oil and residue from scalp and hair, and helps limit residue and white cast in dry and treatment shampoos. | Dry shampoos, treatment shampoos, conditioning formulations |
| Foundations and compact powders | Helps limit pigment separation for consistent color and texture. In pressed powders it can help reduce machine clogging and product cracking. | Liquid foundations, compact powders |
| Cleansers and foam-based products | Can contribute to stable, uniform foams and better shelf-life consistency, potentially simplifying the stabilizer system. | Face washes, cleansing foams |
| Wet wipes | Helps with moisture retention in the lotion, supporting shelf life. | Wet wipe formulations |
Buy VEEGUM from ADCHEM
ADCHEM Group, in partnership with Vanderbilt Minerals, supplies VEEGUM® for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications across the Middle East (including the GCC and Turkey), North Africa and Pakistan. Our R&D teams in Boltiere (Bergamo), Italy and Lahore, Pakistan can support grade selection, trials and formulation development.
ADCHEM Group
What is VEEGUM?
VEEGUM is the trade name of a range of purified smectite clays (INCI name: Magnesium Aluminum Silicate) made by Vanderbilt Minerals. It is used as a rheology modifier and as a suspension and emulsion stabilizer in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations.
What is VEEGUM used for in pharmaceuticals?
Typical pharmaceutical uses include oral suspensions (to help keep actives uniformly suspended and reduce caking), topical creams, gels and lotions (rheology control and smooth application), and tablets. In wet granulation, grades such as VEEGUM R act as a binder and disintegrant. In direct compression, VEEGUM works as a nonmigratory binder and low-bulk disintegrant, helping tablet hardness and disintegration without a granulation step; Vanderbilt literature lists VEEGUM F for direct compression tablets, typically at 1% to 5%, so confirm grade availability and use level with ADCHEM.
What is VEEGUM used for in cosmetics?
In cosmetics and personal care, VEEGUM is used in face masks, liquid foundations and pressed powders, sunscreens, shampoos (including dry and treatment shampoos), cleansers and foaming products, and wet wipes, mainly for suspension, rheology and texture.
How does magnesium aluminum silicate stabilize suspensions and emulsions?
When properly hydrated and dispersed, the plate-like smectite particles can form a three-dimensional "house of cards" network. This network gives a yield value that helps hold particles and droplets in place at rest, while the product can still flow when shear is applied.
What clays are used as rheology modifiers in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals?
Common examples are smectite clays such as magnesium aluminum silicate (VEEGUM), bentonite and hectorite. VEEGUM grades differ in viscosity, acid and electrolyte tolerance and hydration speed, so grade selection depends on the formulation.
Which VEEGUM grade should I choose?
It depends on pH, electrolyte level, target viscosity and regulatory needs. VEEGUM R is the general purpose grade, VEEGUM HV gives higher viscosity, VEEGUM K and HS suit higher acid or electrolyte systems, VEEGUM Ultra and EZ hydrate quickly in acidic dispersions, and VEEGUM Pure is an ECOCERT/COSMOS grade. Confirm with trials and the current technical data sheet.
Does VEEGUM work with other thickeners?
Vanderbilt Minerals reports that VEEGUM R works synergistically with xanthan gum and CMC, giving greater thickening, stabilizing and suspending performance than either component alone. It can also reduce the slippery or sticky feel of gums and polymers.
Where can I buy VEEGUM in the Middle East, Turkey, North Africa or Pakistan?
ADCHEM Group supplies VEEGUM from Vanderbilt Minerals across the Middle East (including the GCC and Turkey), North Africa and Pakistan, with formulation and R&D support from its teams in Italy and Pakistan. Contact ADCHEM to request samples, technical data sheets or a quotation.
About ADCHEM Group
ADCHEM Group is a specialty ingredients distributor and contract formulation company serving cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Middle East (including the GCC and Turkey), North Africa and Pakistan. See the Vanderbilt Minerals supplier page and the full ingredients portfolio.
Note: VEEGUM® is a registered trademark of Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC. Application suitability depends on the selected grade and formulation. Validate performance through appropriate formulation trials and current technical documentation. Grade information is summarized from Vanderbilt Minerals product literature and may change; consult the current technical data sheet. Consult our team for formulation and R&D support.