Aeolian sand slopes in the Fugu area of Yulin, Shaanxi Province, China, are prone to rainfall-induced erosion because of the loose structure and low water-holding capacity of the sand, which constrains long-term, sustainable ecological restoration. To address this, aeolian sand was amended with xanthan gum (XG) and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and combined with a honeycomb confinement system; evaporation, 70 mmh(-1) rainfall-erosion, and direct shear tests were carried out. SAP increased the 24 h water content of untreated sand from 1.8% to about 20-22%, while excessive SAP led to surface cracking. XG strengthened interparticle bonding and reduced 60 min cumulative erosion from about 53 kg to <0.5 kg (reduction > 99%) and improved shear strength. Within the practically recommended range (XG 0.5-1.0%, SAP <= 0.25%), XG and SAP showed water-supply-improving and surface-strengthening effects that effectively covered the early-stage vegetation protection gap, i.e., the period before vegetation becomes dense enough to resist raindrop impact and runoff erosion. The results provide laboratory support for sustainable, nature-based stabilization of aeolian sand slopes in semi-arid engineering areas.