Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Also known as Aloe vera flower extract, Aloe barbadensis Mill. flower extract
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
The CIR Expert Panel's 2007 group safety assessment (IJT 26(Suppl. 2):1-50, PMID 17613130) explicitly names Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract in the assessment title and groups it with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Leaf Extract, Leaf Juice, Leaf Polysaccharides, and Leaf Water as safe in cosmetic use provided anthraquinone levels do not exceed 50 ppm. The same 50 ppm condition applies to Flower Extract as to the leaf preparations — the Panel did NOT issue a flower-specific exemption from the anthraquinone cap, consistent with phytochemistry literature documenting anthrone aglycons and anthrone-C-glycosyls in Aloe flowers and bracts. The plant-part split exists between SPECIES rather than within Aloe Barbadensis: Aloe Andongensis, Aloe Arborescens, and Aloe Ferox preparations received Insufficient findings in the same report.
Skin-conditioning active derived from Aloe barbadensis Mill. flowers; used in cosmetic formulations marketed for soothing and antioxidant claims
CIR Expert Panel found Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract safe as a cosmetic ingredient under the same 50 ppm anthraquinone condition that governs the leaf preparations — same positive verdict as Leaf Extract and Leaf Juice
Long history of cosmetic use of Aloe barbadensis-derived ingredients with a favorable safety profile when anthraquinone content is controlled per the CIR condition
Flowers contain phenolic compounds and flavonoids in addition to lower levels of the anthraquinone derivatives concentrated in leaf rind, contributing to antioxidant cosmetic claims
- · Flower-specific safety data are sparse compared to leaf preparations; the CIR conclusion for Flower Extract leverages the species-wide assessment rather than a dedicated flower-only data package
- · Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract is much less commonly used in cosmetics than Leaf Extract / Leaf Juice; market-derived safety experience is correspondingly thinner
Anthraquinone content (anthrone aglycons and anthrone-C-glycosyls) — flowers and bracts of Aloe species are documented to contain anthraquinone derivatives, which is why the CIR Panel applied the same 50 ppm cap to Flower Extract that applies to leaf preparations
Sister-species note: Aloe Andongensis, Aloe Arborescens, and Aloe Ferox preparations received an Insufficient finding in the same 2007 CIR report — only Aloe BARBADENSIS preparations (including Flower Extract) cleared the safe-with-conditions threshold
CIR Quick Reference Table (September 2022) — Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract row: Finding=SQ, Citation=IJT 26(Suppl. 2):1-50, 2007
“Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract | SQ | The CIR Expert Panel concluded that Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Polysaccharides, and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentrations as described in this safety assessment, if anthraquinone levels in the ingredients do not exceed 50 ppm. The available data are insufficient to support the safety of Aloe Andongensis Extract, Aloe Andongensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Juice, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice, or Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract in cosmetic products. | IJT 26(Suppl. 2):1-50, 2007”— QuickReferenceTable_AllConclusionTypes.pdf, p. 22