The Spray Deception: Exposing the "1,000mg" Label Scam
by Jason J. Duke - Owner/Artisan
Fresh Content: December 4, 2025 18:15
The Spray Deception: Exposing "Fairy Dusting"
In the supplement industry, "Bottle Math" is the enemy of results. Many brands claim "1,000mg" on the front label, but referring to the entire bottle, not the dose. This leaves you with a micro-dusting of active ingredients (often less than 30mg) diluted in water, glycerin, and preservatives. Real potency requires density, not dilution.
Bottle Math vs. Dose Math
The most common trick in the "Deer Antler Spray" industry is the manipulation of units. A standard bottle of high-quality extract should contain approximately 30,000mg to 55,000mg of raw material equivalent per bottle.
However, many "Brand X" sprays list "1,000mg" or "3,000mg" on the front label. The consumer assumes this is per serving. It is not. It is the total weight of the powder added to the entire 2oz bottle. When you divide that by the typical 60 servings, you are receiving roughly 50mg of Deer Antler Velvet per dose.
For context, efficacy often requires doses ranging from 500mg to 2,000mg per day.
This is the industry term for adding a microscopic amount of an active ingredient just so it can be listed on the label. If Deer Antler Velvet is listed after water, glycerin, or preservatives, you are buying expensive flavored water.
The Ingredient Audit
Real medicine tastes like medicine. If your Deer Antler Velvet tastes like a candy cane, it is because the manufacturer is trying to hide the fact that there is almost no velvet in it. A high-potency extract has a rich, earthy, savory profile that cannot be masked by stevia.
| Feature | Tonic Tinctures (Liquid Extract) | "Brand X" (Competitor Spray) |
|---|---|---|
| Active mg Per Serving | ~1,000mg | ~30mg - 50mg |
| Primary Solvent | Organic Alcohol (Preservative) | Water (Requires Preservatives) |
| Additives | None | Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Xylitol |
| Taste Profile | Earthy, Savory, Potent | Peppermint, Berry, Sweet |
If It Tastes Like Candy, It Is Candy
The presence of preservatives like Potassium Sorbate or Sodium Benzoate in a spray is a direct admission of low alcohol content. Without sufficient alcohol (30%+), the solution is a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent this, manufacturers must add synthetic preservatives.
Furthermore, the heavy use of Glycerin and Flavoring Agents serves one purpose: to mask the dilution. A true extract is dense with polypeptides, lipids, and minerals. It has a "mouthfeel" and a presence. A watery spray that vanishes instantly is chemically void of the very lipids required to transport IGF-1 across the membrane.
Don't pay for flavored water. Demand the density of a true extract.