Aloe vera based skincare products are not only on-trend they are great for summer. Cool and refreshing, they deliver great hydration as well as anti-ageing benefits.
If you haven't deliberately set out to buy a moisturiser with this plant base, you may be surprised to know that it is found in best-selling face gels, creams and serums.
A staple for organic skincare brands, it can be used to tackle a range of skin concerns. Cold pressed, almost pure aloe vera is so gentle and hydrating it is often used to moisturise skin after radiotherapy treatments.
It can also be used on wrinkles and fine lines because of its skin plumping benefits.
The brands using aloe vera
Clinique uses aloe vera bio-ferment technology in its Moisture Surge products. You will also find the plant extract in serums produced by Satin Naturel as well as in hydrating creams and gels from Garnier, Kiehl's, Skinfood, Herbivore, Juice Beauty and many more.
A favourite base for vegan cosmetics, it is often paired with nourishing ingredients such as Shea butter in hand creams and treatments for very dry skin. Many anti-ageing serums use aloe vera gel as a base. These gels can also include a range of vitamins, hyaluronic acid and other powerful properties known to benefit mature skin.
I have used 99 per cent pure aloe vera gel around my eyes for the past 12 months. Initially, it was to use up tubes I had left over following radiotherapy. However, I found it so cooling and hydrating that I continue to use it every evening. I gently tap it into the skin under the eyes, at the sides and on the lids before using a facial oil or serum and a night cream.
Boots' Glow range includes a pineapple gel moisturiser that is infused with aloe leaf juice. It's brilliantly priced at £4 and I recommend it. However, it doesn't have much of a fragrance in spite of its name. If you like fragrance-free products, you may find this gel an excellent buy. I have swapped a more expensive gel for this one and it is just as good.
Aloe vera based skincare
In ancient Egypt aloe vera extract was considered a medicine. It can be used as a disinfectant and has great antibacterial properties. It is still used today in acne treatments and many other over-the-counter medicines.
For decades, it has been used as an after sun lotion and to treat sunburn.
But its biggest growth area is in facial products. That is because aloe vera can penetrate layers of the skin more effectively than many other ingredients and delivers visible results in as little as two weeks.
If you haven't tried aloe vera based skincare, I thoroughly recommend it.
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