Achieving a 98% Aloe Vera Claim

You're asking how to formulate a product to claim 98% Aloe Vera, specifically referencing the "Aloe Vera Extract (extraction ratio 10:1 FullAssay™)" and the observation that some commercial 98% aloe vera gels are not sticky.

Here's a breakdown:

1. Understanding the Claim: When a cosmetic product claims a high percentage of a natural ingredient like Aloe Vera (e.g., 98%), it typically refers to the equivalent amount of fresh, raw aloe vera juice or gel, not the percentage of a concentrated extract used in the formula.

2. Using the 10:1 Extract: The "Aloe Vera Extract (extraction ratio 10:1 FullAssay™)" means that 1 part of this extract is equivalent to 10 parts of raw aloe vera. To achieve a claim equivalent to 98% raw aloe vera using this specific extract, you would need to include 9.8% of the "Aloe Vera Extract (extraction ratio 10:1 FullAssay™)" in your formulation (because 9.8% multiplied by the 10:1 ratio equals 98%).

3. Stickiness: As noted in the forum discussion and by the staff, using the 10:1 extract at a high concentration like 9.8% can indeed result in a sticky texture. This is a common characteristic of formulations containing significant amounts of this type of extract.

4. Commercial Products and Concentrated Powders: Commercial products that claim a high percentage of aloe vera (like 98%) but are not sticky often achieve this by using much more concentrated forms of aloe vera, such as a 200:1 powder. With a 200:1 powder, you would only need 0.49% in your formula to be equivalent to 98% raw aloe vera (0.49% multiplied by the 200:1 ratio equals 98%). This much lower percentage of the actual extract minimizes stickiness.

5. Availability: As discussed in the forum, highly concentrated aloe vera powders like 200:1 are very hygroscopic (absorb moisture easily) and challenging to handle and store in small quantities. Because of this, they are typically sold only in large, manufacturer-packed sizes, making them less accessible for small-scale formulation compared to the 10:1 liquid extract.

Conclusion:

Yes, you can use the "Aloe Vera Extract (extraction ratio 10:1 FullAssay™)" to claim 98% equivalent raw aloe vera by incorporating it at 9.8% in your formula. However, this will likely result in a sticky texture. To achieve a non-sticky texture with a 98% claim, a more concentrated form like a 200:1 powder would be needed, but this form is not readily available in small quantities from the shop.

The "Aloe Vera Gel (Heavy)" and "Aloe Vera Gel (Lite)" bases available contain 3% of the 10:1 extract, which is equivalent to 30% raw aloe vera, offering a less sticky option for lower concentrations.