Having previously written on one of our other favourite ingredients in our range of natural beauty products, we thought it was about time to add another ingredient to our list and provide a few of our thoughts on just what makes it so good at looking after skin. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) is held in high regard for its beneficial properties and is perhaps one of the most well known natural additions to a wide range of moisturisers, shampoos and just about any lotion, cream or gel you can possibly imagine.
So what is it that makes Aloe Vera such a sought after ingredient? Well its use to treat a variety of skin conditions dates back centuries. Its use as herbal medicine is documented as far back as the first century. Back then they obviously didn’t have it packaged in fancy bottles like today but they still recognised its amazing skin benefits and used it directly from the plant.
When it was required to be used to treat an inflammation, or to soothe skin the plant would be broken in two and the liquid inside would be applied topically. Personally I saw this in Australia, ten years ago on a tour of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Ahh memories. The tour guide stopped us and showed us the plant, it’s almost cactus like, with long triangular rigid leaves, he broke it in two and I remember seeing the juice slowly seeping from it. Well Enough reminiscing and back to Aloe Vera’s use in beauty products.
One of the main uses for Aloe Vera is as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, which is often why it used to treat a number of mild skin conditions, such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. If you have break out skin using an SLS Free Shower Gel combined with Aloe Vera may help relieve symptoms of dry, irritated skin, the same is true with your scalp and you might want to consider an Aloe Vera Shampoo.
Another reason Aloe Vera is so well coveted is that it is incredibly soothing and moisturising when applied to skin, which is why you’ll often find it in moisturisers and After sun lotions. It has an instant cooling and hydrating feeling as it is said to encourage moisture absorption up to four times faster than plain old H20. If you are off on a tropical adventure or even perhaps somewhere less glamorous where you might experience some rays of sun, it’s always worthwhile packing an Aloe Vera After Sun Lotion or Gel, as Aloe Vera can help the pores of the skin to open and receive the moisture and nutrients contained in it.
Our Favourite Aloe Vera Products
The Aloe Vera Baby Mild soap by Dr Bronner’s remains a firm favourite of ours, and is ideally suited for the most sensitive of skin as it is free from fragrances and SLS.
Green People, have this fabulous SLS Free Aloe Vera Shampoo, that is perfect for all hair types and offers relieve from mild skin conditions with the gentle Aloe Vera based formula.
Finally, we had to have an Aloe Vera After Sun Cream, it really offers fantastic relieve after a day in the sun to rehydrate and soothe skin. Green People have really excelled with this wonderful cooling after sun.
