Aloe vera for skin: what is aloe vera good for?
Aloe vera moisturises the skin and feels cooling. Find out what aloe vera does for skin, the difference between aloe vera gel and cream, and how to use it after sun exposure.
You may know aloe vera as the plant on the windowsill with thick, succulent leaves. Inside the leaves is a clear gel that many people have used on their skin for generations. Here you can find out what aloe vera does for your skin, how to use it, and what it cannot do.
In brief
- Aloe vera moisturizes the skin and feels cool and pleasant, for example on dry skin and after a day in the sun.
- In a cream or lotion, aloe vera is combined with oils that care for and soften the skin.
- Aloe vera does not protect against the sun, so you still need sunscreen.
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera is a plant with thick leaves that grows in hot, dry regions. The gel inside the leaves is about 99.5% water. The rest includes sugars, vitamins and minerals1. It is the sugars that can bind water and moisturize the skin.
On the ingredient list, aloe vera appears under its Latin name, Aloe Barbadensis, for example as Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice or Leaf Extract. To learn more about the different forms and the research, read our page on aloe vera.
What does aloe vera do for the skin?
Aloe vera is first and foremost a moisturizer. The sugars bind water in the skin's upper layer, leaving it feeling soft and supple. Creams containing aloe vera extract have increased skin moisture after two weeks of daily use2.
Many people also like aloe vera because it feels cool and pleasant on the skin, for example after a day in the sun. Highly concentrated aloe vera gel has also been shown to reduce mild redness from UV light3.
What is aloe vera gel mostly made of?
- Water
- Oil
- Vitamins
The gel is almost entirely water. The small amounts of sugars in it bind water and moisturize the skin.
What is aloe vera called on the ingredient list?
- Aloe Ferox
- Aloe Barbadensis
- Aloe Arborescens
Aloe vera appears under its Latin name, Aloe Barbadensis, for example as Leaf Juice or Leaf Extract.
Aloe vera gel or aloe vera cream?
Pure aloe vera gel feels light and cool, and it moisturizes as soon as you apply it. The gel is almost entirely water and contains no oils that can form a soft layer on the skin. A cream or lotion with aloe vera also contains oils and other caring ingredients that soften the skin. That's why a cream is often the best choice if your skin is dry.
| Aloe vera gel | Cream or lotion with aloe vera | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Light, clear and cooling | Softer and more nourishing |
| Contains | Mostly water | Aloe vera, water and oils |
| Choose it if | you want a quick, cooling sensation. | you want to moisturize and care for dry skin. |
Aloe vera after sun exposure
If you've had too much sun, get out of the sun, cool your skin with a cool bath or a damp towel, and apply aftersun or a fragrance-free moisturizer4. Aloe vera is a popular choice in aftersun because it feels cooling and moisturizes.
Aloe vera moisturizes and soothes the skin after sun exposure, but it does not protect against sunburn and cannot undo it5. The best care is still to avoid getting sunburned.
Talk to your doctor
Seek medical advice if your skin blisters or swells, or if you develop a fever, chills or a headache, or feel dizzy after a day in the sun.
Myth or fact?
Aloe vera can replace sunscreen.
Myth. Aloe vera does not protect against the sun's rays. Use sunscreen, and use aloe vera afterwards if your skin needs moisture.
Aloe vera is suitable for oily skin.
Fact. Aloe vera moisturizes without being greasy, so it is suitable for dry, oily and sensitive skin.
You cannot react to aloe vera because it is natural.
Myth. You can react to aloe vera just like other plant ingredients. Try a new product on a small area first.
Is aloe vera suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, most people tolerate aloe vera well on their skin. Some may experience stinging, itching or a rash6, and allergic reactions to aloe vera have rarely been reported7. If you have sensitive skin, choose a fragrance-free product and try it on a small area, for example near your jaw, for a couple of days before using it all over your face.
How to use aloe vera in your routine
Aloe vera fits into your existing routine, and you can use it morning and evening.
- Cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser.
- Refresh (optional) with a toner.
- Moisturize with serum and your day cream, preferably with aloe vera.
- Protect your skin with sunscreen.
- Cleanse the day away from your skin.
- Moisturize with serum and your night cream.
- Treat your skin (from time to time) with a moisturizing mask.
A few quiet minutes with your skincare morning and evening is also a little moment for yourself.
Where to find aloe vera in our range
Aloe vera is in many of our products. In Moisturizing mask, aloe vera is the first ingredient, and together with hyaluronic acid, the mask gives dry skin a moisture treatment. Hyaluronic Serum adds an extra layer of moisture under your cream, and Toner with cucumber and aloe vera refreshes the skin after cleansing. After a day in the sun, Fragrance-free aftersun moisturizes the skin with aloe vera and nourishing oils.
All four are fragrance-free, dermatologically tested and AllergyCertified, and their aloe vera is organic. And if you're not happy with your purchase, you have our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Moisturizing Mask
Fragrance-free face mask with hyaluronic acid that gives dry skin a moisture ...
Hyaluronic Serum
Fragrance-free moisturising serum that provides intense moisture and plumpnes...
Skintonic
Fragrance-free toner and face mist that removes remaining impurities after cl...
Aftersun fragrance-free 75 ml
Our Aftersun fragrance-free 75 ml soothes and cools skin after sunbathing, mo...
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Frequently asked questions
Is aloe vera good for the skin?
Yes. Aloe vera moisturizes the skin and feels cool and pleasant. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used every day.
Can you use aloe vera on your face every day?
Yes, morning and evening. Choose a fragrance-free product if your skin is sensitive.
Does aloe vera help with wrinkles?
Aloe vera is not an anti-wrinkle ingredient, but it moisturizes, and moisturized skin looks smoother and fresher. If you want to address fine lines, read our guide to retinol.
Which aloe vera cream is best?
The one that suits your skin. Choose a cream for your skin type, and choose fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive.
Can you use aloe vera straight from the plant?
Yes, many people do. A finished product is made to keep, and you know exactly what's in it. In either case, try it on a small area first.
Sources
- Hamman JH. Composition and applications of Aloe vera leaf gel. Molecules. 2008. PubMed
- Dal'Belo SE et al. Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques. Skin Research and Technology. 2006. PubMed
- Reuter J et al. Investigation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Aloe vera gel (97.5%) in the ultraviolet erythema test. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2008. PubMed
- Sunburn. NHS. nhs.uk
- Puvabanditsin P, Vongtongsri R. Efficacy of aloe vera cream in prevention and treatment of sunburn and suntan. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 2005. PubMed
- Aloe vera. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). nccih.nih.gov
- Reider N et al. Absence of contact sensitization to Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. Contact Dermatitis. 2005. PubMed
