Kumdan Science & Aromatherapy
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Only in Türkiye · patented raw material

The active
your rival hasn’t got.

Chitligsan skincare products, and the raw material itself.

We formulate our products with Chitligsan, a vegan chitosan derivative made from Sahara soil, and supply the same raw material to brands for their own formulations. Online sales are paused: we are talking to distributors, brands and raw material buyers.

Partner with us Explore the science
Process45 years of research · patented
ExclusivityOnly from Kumdan in Türkiye
On Chitligsan3 peer-reviewed papers
ContentVegan · no shellfish allergen

Online sales are currently paused. Get in touch for partnerships and wholesale.

01Origin

Not from shells, from sand.

Chitosan is a natural biopolymer, studied for decades and valued in skincare for its moisture-binding and protective effects. It is conventionally extracted from shrimp and crab shells. Chitligsan is a derivative of that structure, produced from Sahara Desert sand: vegan, free of shellfish, and made by a patented production method.

  1. 01.1

    Sahara soil

    The raw material comes from fossil-origin organic components of Sahara soil (chitin, cellulose, lignin) and its minerals. It depends on no living source.

  2. 01.2

    Natural, zero-waste production

    Natural bacterial and fungal processes replace the strong acids and bases. The production methodology is patented.

  3. 01.3

    Chitligsan

    A chitosan derivative: a porous structure at 1 µm under SEM and ~90 nm particles in nanosuspension, rich in trace elements and minerals.

  4. 01.4

    The science of chitosan

    Chitosan’s effects have been studied in more than 60,000 papers on PubMed, 3,580 of them on skin and 5,016 on wound healing. Chitligsan is a derivative of that structure.

Electron microscope image
Chitligsan yüzeyinin elektron mikroskobu görüntüsüChitligsan yüzeyinin elektron mikroskobu görüntüsü
Chitligsan under the electron microscope (SEM): 10,000× on the left, 80,000× on the right. Image: Kumdan archive · METU Central Laboratory, 2019
Conventional chitosanChitligsan
SourceShrimp and crab shellsSahara Desert soil
Shellfish allergenPresent; traces remain after deproteinisationNone; proteins dissolved over geological time
VeganNoYes
OdourCharacteristic fishy odourNone
ProductionDemineralisation, deproteinisation, deacetylation with strong acids and basesNatural bacterial and fungal processes; zero waste
SupplyTied to the fishing industry; volatile pricingUnlimited raw material; no living source
Molecular structureA larger, high-molecular-weight polymer that mostly stays on the surfacePorous and smaller: 1 µm pores, ~90 nm particles; penetration rises as size falls
Trace elementsNoneFe, Si, Ca, Zn, Mg, Na, S and more
Conventional chitosan
Surface Surface cells Lower layers

A larger, high-molecular-weight polymer: it mostly stays on the surface.

Chitligsan
Surface Surface cells Lower layers

Porous and smaller, ~90 nm particles: it travels between the surface cells.

Schematic; not to scale.

02Trace elements and minerals

The elements the sand carries.

Chitligsan combines chitosan’s biopolymer structure with trace elements and minerals from Sahara soil. Tap an element for details.

(C₆H₁₁NO₄)ₙ

The carrier: Chitligsan

The chitosan chain (C₆H₁₁NO₄)ₙ carries the elements and the formula’s actives into deeper layers of the skin.

Confirmed by XRF/FTIR and peer-reviewed analysisKumdan raw-material data

Mineral phases identified by XRD

  • Calcite42.8%
  • Hydrotalcite40.3%
  • Clinopyroxene15.6%
  • Ilmenite1.3%

Source: RSC Advances, 2026

Heavy metal analysisLead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury were not detected. The analysis report is shared on request.

Does hydrotalcite contain aluminium?

It does: hydrotalcite is a magnesium-aluminium mineral. This is not the aluminium salt used in antiperspirants, though. It is structural aluminium bound inside a mineral lattice, the same form used as a pharmaceutical antacid.

03Effect

The six things skin complains about most.

Each one relates to a property studied for chitosan in general, ordered from the most common complaint down. Chitligsan is a derivative of that structure.

03.1

Breakouts and bacteria

Its positively charged structure binds to bacterial cell walls, helping balance the bacterial load on acne-prone skin.

Read the article (TR) 03.2

Fine lines and lost elasticity

Its antioxidant action reduces oxidative stress from free radicals, and it supports collagen, contributing to firmness.

Read the article (TR) 03.3

Dryness and water loss

As a cationic humectant it binds to the skin’s negatively charged surface and raises the water content of its upper layer.

Read the article (TR) 03.4

A weakened barrier

It forms a thin, breathable film that lowers transepidermal water loss and buffers the skin against external stressors.

Read the article (TR) 03.5

Damaged, irritated skin

Its support for tissue renewal has been studied in animal models: in the Chitligsan study, day 21 wounds were the smallest.

Read the article (TR) 03.6

Sustainability

A biodegradable biopolymer: it breaks down without toxic residue and leaves marine ecosystems untouched.

Read the article (TR)

04Evidence

Three studies, three questions.

The chitosan derivative used in Kumdan appears in the literature as Chitligsan. Teams at Hacettepe, Bilkent and Atatürk universities measured three separate questions: what it does to bacteria in the lab, what happens on living tissue, and whether sensitive tissue tolerates it. Each study’s question, figure and method is below.

  1. 04.1In vitroRSC Advances · 2026Hacettepe University · Bilkent University

    QuestionDoes it harm bacteria without harming skin cells?

    It does not. Growth of all three pathogens was suppressed while fibroblast viability stayed above 90%.

    • The three organisms tested are those used in cosmetic preservative efficacy testing.
    • The sample prepared in deionised water reached a 20 mm zone against S. aureus.
    • In the MTT assay viability stayed above 90% at all four concentrations, with no dose-dependent toxicity.

    Method: agar well diffusion and the L929 fibroblast line. In the same study’s scratch assay, migration was slower than in the untreated control; this is not a finding of accelerated healing.

    Sahara Desert sand “Chitligsan”: characterisation and assessment of antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity

    DOI Free full text 16(4), 3395–3408
    Inhibition zone diameter in agar well diffusion (mm) — higher is better
    S. aureus 1612
    E. coli 1512
    P. aeruginosa 150
    ChitligsanControl (citric acid)
    Electron microscope image
    Electron microscope images of bacteria exposed to Chitligsan
    S. aureus (left) and E. coli (right) under the electron microscope. Top row: untreated control; middle: citric acid; bottom: Chitligsan with citric acid, where the cell surface has collapsed and lost its integrity. Image: Ertunc et al., RSC Advances 2026, CC BY 3.0
  2. 04.2In vivo · 48 ratsCutaneous and Ocular Toxicology · 2025Atatürk University

    QuestionWhat does it do on living tissue, compared with an established product?

    By day 21 the wound area was smaller than with the antibiotic ointment and than the control.

    • Histopathology reported better epithelial regeneration, dense collagenisation and minimal inflammation.
    • The nanosuspension measured 89.6 nm with a zeta potential of −26.1 mV.
    • The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

    Method: a full-thickness wound model in 48 rats over 21 days. An animal model, not a cosmetic product claim.

    Comparative evaluation of chitligsan nanosuspension gel and spray for enhancing full-thickness wound healing in a rat model

    DOI PubMed 44(2), 217–226
    Wound area on day 21 (cm²) — lower is better
    Chitligsan sprey 0.08
    Chitligsan jel 0.09
    Terramycin merhem 0.14
    Kontrol (serum fizyolojik) 0.34
  3. 04.3In vivo · VeterinaryAnimal Reproduction Science · 2026Atatürk University

    QuestionIs it tolerated on sensitive mucosal tissue?

    On day 40 the inflammatory cell (PMNL) ratio was significantly lower than in the control group.

    • The material was applied directly to sensitive tissue and was well tolerated.

    Method: intrauterine application in postpartum cows. A veterinary study, not an indicator of cosmetic efficacy.

    Intrauterine Chitligsan administration in postpartum Simmental cows

    DOI 294, 108331

These studies were carried out on the raw material (Chitligsan) in laboratory and animal models; they are not clinical results for Kumdan products. Cosmetic products are not intended to treat disease.

05Products

Five products built on Chitligsan.

Chitosan sits at the centre of every formula, joined by only a handful of proven actives. The essential oils are chosen by a NAHA-certified Level 2 aromatherapist for what they do, not for how they smell. The products are not currently sold online.

Face Cream

Chitosan+Niacinamide+Vitamin B5

For every skin type: moisture balance, barrier support and a more even tone.

Chitosan binds moisture and carries the actives, niacinamide evens the look of spots and pores, and vitamin B5 hydrates and soothes.

Melaleuca alternifolia · Salvia officinalis · Lavandula angustifolia

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Eye Cream

Chitosan+Vitamin B5

Moisturising, soothing care for the delicate eye area.

Chitosan forms a thin film that holds moisture, and vitamin B5 hydrates and calms the delicate eye area.

Anthemis nobilis · Rosa damascena (hydrosol)

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Face Serum

Chitosan+Hyaluronic acid

A lightweight, fast-absorbing serum for all skin types.

Hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin, while chitosan holds it at the surface and helps the care that follows reach deeper.

Oil-free formula

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Hand & Body Cream

Chitosan+Urea

Intensive, long-lasting moisture from urea and chitosan.

Urea binds water and softens rough texture, chitosan locks that moisture in, and bergamot with black pepper adds the aromatherapy.

Citrus aurantium bergamia · Piper nigrum

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Anti-Cellulite Cream

Chitosan+Caffeine+L-Carnitine

Chitosan helps caffeine and L-carnitine reach deeper layers of the skin.

Caffeine is known for its invigorating surface effect, L-carnitine plays a role in fatty-acid metabolism, and chitosan helps both reach deeper.

Citrus paradisi · Zingiber officinale · Juniperus communis · Cupressus sempervirens

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06Partner

Let’s grow Chitligsan skincare together.

Online sales are paused. We are open to partnerships on finished products and to supplying Chitligsan as a raw material for your own formulations.

  • USD 7.9 → 24.9 bnChitin and chitosan derivatives market: 2022 actual and the industry forecast for 2030
  • Unlimited raw materialSupply does not depend on fishing seasons or the seafood industry, and is not exposed to their price swings
  • US patentPatented production methodology; EU application pending
  • Raw material buyersChitligsan supplied for your own formulations. Technical file and analysis reports shared on request.
  • Distributors & retailersCarry the Kumdan range in your market.
  • BrandsPrivate label and contract formulation.
  • Industry & R&DJoint development and academic collaboration.

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