Formulation Compatibility and Thickeners

Based on your experience and the staff's reply, the reason you observed separation when mixing "Aloe Vera Gel (Lite)" and "Pure Aloe Vera Gel" is due to their different electrical charges. "Aloe Vera Gel (Lite)" has a positive charge (cationic), while "Pure Aloe Vera Gel" has a negative charge (anionic). Ingredients with opposite charges are generally incompatible and will cause formulations to separate or become unstable.

Regarding your additional questions:

1. Adding thickeners to "Pure Aloe Vera Gel": To increase the gel texture or viscosity of "Pure Aloe Vera Gel" (which is negatively charged), you need to use a thickener that is compatible with anionic systems. This means using either an anionic thickener or a non-ionic thickener. Cationic thickeners (like the one in "Aloe Vera Gel (Lite)") will cause incompatibility.

   Here are some suitable thickeners you can consider:

   • Carbomer Ultrez 30: This is an anionic thickener that is easy to use as it dissolves in water without needing heat. It provides a clear gel texture and is resistant to electrolytes, which can sometimes interfere with thickening.
   • Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC): This is a non-ionic thickener. Non-ionic ingredients are compatible with both positively and negatively charged ingredients. HEC forms a clear gel but typically requires heating to around 70°C to dissolve properly.
   • Aristoflex AVC: This is a versatile thickener that can create clear gels and stabilize emulsions. It is soluble in water.
   • Sepimax Zen: This thickener is known for its high tolerance to salts and varying pH levels, making it quite compatible in different systems. It is mixed into the water phase.

2. Adding ingredients to "Aloe Vera Extract Full Assay": Yes, "Aloe Vera Extract Full Assay" is a concentrated extract ingredient, not a finished product base. It is designed to be incorporated into cosmetic formulations along with other ingredients like water, thickeners, preservatives, etc., to create a final product. You can add other substances to it as part of a complete formulation process.