Our Quality Standard

Every batch of Aloe Team products meets these specific, measurable standards. No vague claims. Complete transparency.

1. Species Verification

Requirement: 100% Aloe barbadensis miller

Why It Matters

Aloe barbadensis miller (also called Aloe vera) is the only species with substantial clinical research backing its topical use. Other aloe species lack the same polysaccharide profile and may not provide comparable benefits.

How We Verify

  • Source verification from certified organic farms
  • Botanical identification at harvest
  • DNA testing for batch certification (available upon request)

2. Aloin Removal

Requirement: <0.1 ppm aloin content

Why It Matters

Aloin is a yellow latex compound found between the leaf rind and inner gel. It can cause:

  • Skin irritation and contact dermatitis
  • Digestive upset if ingested
  • Photosensitivity in some individuals

The International Aloe Science Council (IASC) certifies products with <10 ppm. We exceed this standard 100-fold.

How We Test

  • HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis per batch
  • Third-party lab verification
  • Results included in batch certificates

3. Polysaccharide Content

Requirement: Minimum 1,200 mg/L acemannan

Why It Matters

Acemannan is the primary active polysaccharide in aloe vera, responsible for:

  • Immunomodulatory properties
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Wound healing support
  • Skin barrier function enhancement

Many commercial aloe products have minimal polysaccharide content due to oxidation, heat processing, or dilution. Our cold-pressed method preserves these beneficial compounds.

How We Test

  • Modified Dische method for polysaccharide quantification
  • Testing within 48 hours of stabilization
  • Batch tracking for acemannan degradation over shelf life

4. Processing Method

Requirement: Cold-pressed within 24 hours of harvest

Why It Matters

Aloe vera gel begins oxidizing immediately after leaf cutting. Heat processing (common in large-scale production) degrades:

  • Polysaccharide chains
  • Enzyme activity
  • Vitamin content
  • Overall bioactivity

Our cold-pressed process maintains temperatures below 25°C (77°F) and completes stabilization within 24 hours of harvest.

Our Process

  1. Harvest: Hand-cut mature leaves (3+ years old)
  2. Washing: Triple-washed with purified water
  3. Filleting: Manual removal of rind and latex layer
  4. Cold-pressing: Mechanical extraction at <25°C
  5. Stabilization: Natural stabilizers to preserve polysaccharides
  6. Testing: Aloin and acemannan verification
  7. Bottling: Sterile packaging with batch coding

5. Purity Standards

Requirement: 99.8% pure aloe vera gel

What We Don't Add

  • No artificial colors or dyes
  • No synthetic fragrances
  • No parabens
  • No sulfates
  • No phthalates
  • No mineral oil or petroleum derivatives

What We Do Include (0.2%)

  • Citric acid: pH adjustment to 4.0-4.5 (skin-compatible)
  • Potassium sorbate: Natural preservative (<0.1%)
  • Ascorbic acid: Antioxidant to prevent polysaccharide degradation

All additives are GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by FDA and used at minimal effective concentrations.

6. Microbial Safety

Requirement: USP <61> and <62> compliance

Microbial Testing

Every batch tested for:

  • Total aerobic microbial count: <100 CFU/g
  • Yeast and mold: <10 CFU/g
  • E. coli: Absent
  • Salmonella: Absent
  • S. aureus: Absent
  • P. aeruginosa: Absent

7. Heavy Metal Screening

Requirement: Below California Prop 65 limits

Tested Limits (per daily use)

  • Lead: <0.5 μg
  • Arsenic: <10 μg
  • Cadmium: <4.1 μg
  • Mercury: <0.3 μg

ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) testing per batch.

8. Batch Transparency

Every Batch Includes

  • Unique batch number
  • Harvest date
  • Processing date
  • Expiration date (24 months from processing)
  • Farm source identification

Available Certificates

Request your batch certificate at hello@aloeteam.com with your batch number. Includes:

  • Aloin test results
  • Acemannan content
  • Microbial testing
  • Heavy metal screening
  • Third-party lab stamps

9. Packaging Standards

Protection from Degradation

  • Opaque containers: UV-blocking HDPE plastic to prevent light degradation
  • Airtight seals: Minimize oxygen exposure
  • BPA-free: All packaging materials
  • Recyclable: #2 HDPE - widely recyclable

10. Shelf Life & Storage

Guaranteed Shelf Life

24 months from processing date when stored properly.

Storage Instructions

  • Store below 25°C (77°F)
  • Keep container tightly closed
  • Avoid direct sunlight
  • Refrigeration extends shelf life but not required

Signs of Degradation

Discontinue use if you notice:

  • Color change from clear to yellow/brown
  • Off odor
  • Separation that doesn't remix with shaking
  • Visible mold or particles

Scientific References

  1. Sánchez M, et al. (2020). Pharmacological Update Properties of Aloe Vera and its Major Active Constituents. Molecules, 25(6):1324.
  2. Hęś M, et al. (2019). Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: Natural Sources of Antioxidants – A Review. Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 74:255-265.
  3. Maan AA, et al. (2018). Aloe vera gel, a powerful antioxidant. Mol Clin Oncol, 8(1):3-8.
  4. Chokboribal J, et al. (2015). Decolorization of aloe vera gel by activated charcoal. J Appl Pharm Sci, 5(6):56-59.
  5. Femenia A, et al. (1999). Compositional features of polysaccharides from Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) plant tissues. Carbohydr Polym, 39:109-117.

Questions About Our Standards?

We're happy to provide additional detail, test results, or batch certificates.

Contact Us