• INCI Name: Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch — or Triticum Aestivum (Wheat) Starch
• CAS Number: 9005-25-8
• Common Names: Cornflour, Wheaten Cornflour, Wheat Starch, Corn Starch (note: not corn/maize derived — wheat derived)
• Grade: Food Grade
• Source: Wheat grain (Triticum aestivum / Triticum vulgare) — wheat starch
• Gluten Status: Contains gluten residues — NOT gluten-free; not suitable for coeliac or wheat allergy formulations without explicit testing and labelling
• Appearance: Fine white to off-white powder
• Odour: Odourless to very faint neutral starchy
• Taste: Bland, neutral (food grade)
• Particle Size: Ultra-fine — typically <50 microns; silky smooth texture
• pH (10% suspension): Approximately 5.5–7.0
• Moisture Content: <14%
• Solubility: Insoluble in cold water; thickens/gels in hot water; dispersible in dry formulations
• Bulk Density: Approximately 0.5–0.6 g/cm³
• Storage: Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from moisture and heat
• Shelf Life: 24 months in sealed, dry storage; indefinite if kept perfectly dry and sealed

HOW IT WORKS IN KEY APPLICATIONS

In Bath Bombs
Wheaten cornflour serves as a binding agent and texture modifier in bath bomb recipes. It binds the dry ingredients together when mixed, helping the compressed bomb hold its shape during moulding and drying. It also slows the rate of fizz in the bath by creating a physical barrier between the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid particles — resulting in a longer, more sustained fizz rather than an explosive instant reaction. Additionally, it disperses in the bathwater to create a soft, silky feel on skin.

In Natural Deodorant Powders and Sticks
Cornflour is a key absorbency ingredient in natural deodorant formulations. It absorbs moisture and sweat, helping to keep underarms dry. It is often used alongside sodium bicarbonate in natural deodorant recipes — the bicarb neutralises odour while the cornflour absorbs moisture. In stick deodorants, it also contributes to the smooth, non-tacky texture that makes application comfortable.

In Dry Shampoo
Ultra-fine cornflour is a primary absorbent base in DIY dry shampoo formulations. It absorbs excess sebum from the scalp and hair roots, extending time between washes. Typically combined with arrowroot powder and/or cosmetic-grade clay for enhanced performance.

In Body Powders and Baby Powder
Cornflour is a safe, skin-friendly alternative base for body powders. Its ultra-fine particle size gives a smooth, silky application feel. It absorbs moisture and reduces friction in skin folds, making it suitable for baby powder formulations, body dusting powders, and foot powders — noting the wheat/gluten disclosure requirement.

In Cosmetic Formulations
Used as a thickener, binder, and texture modifier in pressed powders, loose powders, eyeshadow bases, and dry cosmetic formulations. Contributes to a smooth, silky skin feel.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES

Bath Bombs

• Cornflour: 5–15% of total dry weight
• Function: binder, fizz moderator, skin-feel enhancer
• Typical 100g bath bomb: 5–10g cornflour alongside 60g sodium bicarbonate, 30g citric acid

Natural Deodorant Powder

• Cornflour: 20–50% of total formulation
• Blend with sodium bicarbonate (5–20%), arrowroot powder (10–30%), and optional kaolin clay (5–10%)

Natural Deodorant Stick

• Cornflour: 10–25% alongside beeswax, coconut oil, and sodium bicarbonate

Dry Shampoo

• Cornflour: 30–60% of total formulation
• Blend with arrowroot powder and/or kaolin clay for enhanced performance and spreadability

Body Powder / Dusting Powder

• Cornflour: 40–80% as the primary absorbent base
• Blend with arrowroot, kaolin clay, and optional dried flower powders or essential oils

Pressed Powder Cosmetics

• Cornflour: 5–20% as a binder and texture modifier

Culinary Use (baking, sauces, gravies)

• Use as per recipe requirements — food grade at this purity
• Standard thickening: 1 tablespoon per cup of liquid for sauces; 2 teaspoons per cup for gravies

WHEATEN CORNFLOUR vs ARROWROOT POWDER — WHICH ONE?

Both wheaten cornflour and arrowroot powder are white, ultra-fine powders used as binders and absorbents in bath bombs, deodorants, and body powders. Here are the key differences:

Gluten: Wheaten cornflour contains gluten residues; arrowroot is naturally gluten-free. If formulating for gluten-sensitive customers or coeliac-safe products, use arrowroot.

Absorbency: Arrowroot powder has slightly superior moisture absorbency and a lighter, silkier texture — making it marginally preferred in deodorant and dry shampoo applications. The difference at typical usage rates is minor.

Bath bombs: Either works as a binder in bath bombs. Many formulators use 50:50 blends of both.

Cost: Wheaten cornflour is significantly less expensive than arrowroot powder at bulk quantities — making it more economical for high-volume bath bomb production where the gluten distinction is not relevant.

Conclusion: Use arrowroot if gluten-free formulation is required. Use wheaten cornflour for cost-effective bath bomb production and general cosmetic use where gluten is not a concern. For the best of both, blend them.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

• Bath bombs — binder and fizz moderator
• Shower steamers
• Natural deodorant powders and sticks
• Dry shampoo formulations
• Body dusting powders
• Baby powder formulations (with wheat labelling)
• Foot powders
• Pressed powder cosmetics
• Loose setting powders
• Eyeshadow base powders
• Natural talc alternatives
• Baking — thickener for sauces, gravies, custards
• Cornflour-based pastry and biscuit baking

• Ultra-fine particle size delivers a silky, smooth skin feel in all cosmetic applications — no grittiness or residue
• Essential binding agent in bath bomb recipes — holds compressed bombs together during moulding without premature fizzing
• Moderates fizz rate in bath bombs — creates a longer, more sustained effervescent release rather than an explosive reaction
• Effective moisture absorber — manages sweat and skin surface moisture in deodorant powders, body powders, and dry shampoo formulations
• Skin-softening effect when dispersed in bathwater — contributes to the silky feel of high-quality bath bombs
• Food grade — safe for lip products, bath soaks with skin contact, and culinary applications
• Odourless and neutral — does not interfere with fragrance or essential oil scent in formulations
• Excellent flow properties — blends easily and uniformly with other dry ingredients
• Cost-effective — one of the most affordable cosmetic powder ingredients available in bulk in Australia
• Available in 1kg and 25kg — suitable from hobby bath bomb makers to commercial production

• Food grade — safe for intended cosmetic and culinary applications
• Contains wheat and gluten residues — NOT gluten-free; NOT suitable for individuals with coeliac disease or wheat/gluten sensitivity in leave-on skin products or ingestible applications without appropriate testing and allergen labelling
• Must be disclosed on finished product labels as wheat-derived — INCI: Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch
• Inhalation of fine powder in bulk — use a dust mask when handling large quantities to avoid respiratory irritation from airborne starch particles
• Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water
• Keep out of reach of children
• Store sealed away from moisture — cornflour absorbs moisture from the air; exposure to humidity causes clumping and potential microbial contamination
• Not for consumption in large quantities as a standalone ingredient — food grade when used as a culinary thickener at appropriate rates
• Biodegradable and environmentally safe

Is Cornflour the same as Corn Starch?
In Australia, "cornflour" almost always refers to wheaten cornflour — wheat starch extracted from wheat grain. It is NOT derived from corn or maize. Corn starch (sometimes called maize starch or maize cornflour) is derived from corn/maize and is gluten-free. Our product is wheaten cornflour — wheat starch — and contains gluten. If you specifically require a gluten-free starch for your formulation, you need corn starch (maize starch) or arrowroot powder, not this product.

What is the INCI name for Wheaten Cornflour?
The correct INCI name is Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch or Triticum Aestivum (Wheat) Starch. This must appear on your finished cosmetic product ingredient list. You must also comply with Australian allergen disclosure requirements — wheat is a declared allergen and must be clearly disclosed on cosmetic and food product labels.

How much Cornflour should I use in a bath bomb recipe?
A typical usage rate is 5–15% of total dry weight. In a standard 100g bath bomb containing 60g sodium bicarbonate and 30g citric acid, you would add 5–10g of cornflour. This small amount meaningfully improves binding — the mixture holds together better when pressed into moulds — and moderates the fizz for a longer bath experience. Avoid using more than 15–20% as excessive starch can make the mixture too binding and potentially reduce fizz intensity.

Can I use Cornflour in a natural deodorant?
Yes — cornflour is widely used in natural deodorant formulations as a moisture absorber. A simple natural deodorant powder base is 30–40% cornflour + 30–40% arrowroot powder + 10–15% sodium bicarbonate. The cornflour and arrowroot absorb sweat moisture while sodium bicarbonate neutralises odour-causing bacteria. Some individuals with sensitive underarm skin react to sodium bicarbonate in deodorant — in these cases increasing cornflour/arrowroot and reducing bicarb helps. For a stick deodorant, cornflour is incorporated into a base of beeswax or candelilla wax with coconut oil and sodium bicarbonate.

Is Cornflour a good talc substitute in cosmetics?
Yes — ultra-fine wheaten cornflour is one of the most widely used natural alternatives to talc in cosmetic powder formulations. It provides a similar silky skin feel, absorbs moisture, and reduces friction — the functional properties that make talc useful in body powders and pressed cosmetics. Unlike talc, cornflour is food-derived, biodegradable, and does not carry the asbestos contamination concerns associated with some talc sources. The key difference is that cornflour is not as fine as cosmetic-grade talc and has a slightly different skin feel — arrowroot powder is generally considered closer to talc in texture for premium powder cosmetics.

How do I prevent Cornflour from clumping in storage?
Store in an airtight sealed container in a cool, dry location away from moisture and humidity. Cornflour is hygroscopic — it absorbs water vapour from the air and will clump if exposed to humidity. Minor clumping is normal; break up lumps and sieve before use in bath bomb or cosmetic recipes. If the powder has been significantly exposed to moisture and has hardened into large lumps, it may have begun to partially hydrolyse and should be replaced for cosmetic formulation use.

YOU MAY ALSO NEED

• Sodium Bicarbonate (Food Grade Baking Soda) — essential bath bomb base ingredient used alongside cornflour
• Citric Acid Anhydrous — the fizz-producing partner in all bath bomb recipes
• Arrowroot Organic Powder — gluten-free alternative with similar function; blend with cornflour for best results
• Bath Bomb Supplies Collection — shop all bath bomb making ingredients
• Bath Bomb Moulds — 6.5cm round plastic moulds for perfect sphere bath bombs
• Castor Oil (Hexane Free) — skin conditioning oil addition to bath bomb recipes
• Essential Oils Collection — scent your bath bombs and body powder creations
• Colourants — Micas — cosmetic grade mica powders to colour your bath bombs