Aloe Vera

What is aloe vera?

Aloe vera (botanical name Aloe barbadensis) is a succulent that stores water in its thick leaves. The clear gel inside is around 99% water. The rest is what makes it interesting: polysaccharides such as acemannan, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and minerals. On INCI lists you’ll find it as Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice or Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.

How does aloe vera work on the skin?

• Soothing: Aloe cools and calms redness – ideal after sun, after shaving or for irritated skin.
• Hydration without greasiness: The polysaccharides bind water in the upper layers of the skin. The texture is light and suits oily skin too.
• Supports recovery: Aloe is traditionally used for minor burns and skin irritation.
• Gentle: Aloe is very well tolerated and fits into almost any routine.

Who is aloe vera for?

Aloe is an all-rounder. It’s especially good for:

• Sensitive, reddened skin that reacts quickly to new products.
• Oily and blemish-prone skin that needs hydration but doesn’t like heavy creams.
• Sun-stressed skin after a day outdoors.

For very dry skin, aloe alone isn’t enough. Combine it with a moisturiser with ceramides so the moisture doesn’t evaporate again.

How to use aloe vera

• As a toner or gel: Apply after cleansing and let it absorb. An aloe toner fits nicely into a minimalist routine.
• As a mask: Apply a thick layer of aloe gel for ten minutes – especially pleasant after sun. In summer, keep the gel in the fridge.
• For face and body: Many aloe gels work for both.

If you have a genuine allergy to plants of the lily family, avoid aloe. If your skin is very sensitive, do a patch test on the inside of your elbow first.

Korean aloe skincare

Aloe is a popular base ingredient in Korean skincare. From our range: the Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel by Benton, the Aloe Soothing Toner by Isntree, the Pink Aloe Mucin Serum by APRILSKIN, the Aloe Soothing Mask Pack Set by Benton and the Aloe Soothing Sun Cream by COSRX for daytime. A great partner is Centella Asiatica, which is also very calming.

What does the research say?

A systematic review on wound healing concluded that aloe vera can shorten the healing time of first- and second-degree burns by around nine days on average (Maenthaisong et al., Burns, 2007). For cosmetic effects such as anti-ageing, the data is less robust – aloe’s strength clearly lies in soothing and hydration.