Summary
- Aloe vera is well known for its ability to soothe a sunburn, but the humble ingredient does far more than address skin post-sun.
- The ancient plant is naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, and contains wound-healing properties.
- Aloe vera extract has been clinically shown to deeply hydrate, minimize the appearance of wrinkles (yes, really!), reduce acne, relieve skin irritation, heal wounds, and soothe redness and swelling.
- There are many different types of aloe vera (nearly 400), each with its own benefits and properties, plus the pure form of the extract can be incredibly sticky. This is why it’s ideal to get the benefits of aloe from a clinically-tested skincare product. All the pros, none of the tacky sensation on the skin.
Well known for its ability to soothe a painful sunburn, aloe vera is now becoming a staple within skincare formulations, too. But what does aloe vera do for your skin? We dive deep into aloe vera’s benefits for the skin and the best products featuring the soothing staple. Keep reading to learn more.
A Brief History of Aloe Skincare
Commonly seen in a medicine cabinet as a soothing gel to apply post-sun exposure, aloe vera is finally stepping into the spotlight as a must-have skincare ingredient. However, certain cultures – from China and Japan to Greece and Mexico – have been using the medicinal plant for centuries as a tool for healing. (Even the Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used aloe vera as part of their regular beauty regimens.) Coming from the leaves of an aloe vera plant, also known as Aloe barbadensis, aloe vera is packed full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. But it’s most known for its ability to soothe and hydrate the skin, making it a great addition to your daily skincare routine.
Aloe Vera Skincare Benefits
The benefits of aloe vera on the skin are numerous. Here are a handful of the most impressive to consider.
Deep Hydration
Composed of 99 percent water, aloe vera is a natural moisturizer and is beloved for its lightweight gel-like feel. It is a natural humectant, attracting and locking in moisture, while restoring skin’s natural balance and creating a barrier to prevent water loss. These benefits are a godsend for all skin types, but particularly for those treating dry skin.
But microscopically, it’s accomplishing a lot more than just hydration. Aloe is naturally rich in polysaccharides, which are potent hydrating agents that mimic the skin’s natural carbohydrates, notes one impressive study, allowing superior humectant benefits that bind to the skin more strongly and longer than comparable ingredients. This not only locks in moisture, but also accelerates repair and provides antioxidant protection.
Provides a Youthful Appearance
The humble aloe plant…is a wrinkle-fighting super ingredient? One study noted that “aloe stimulates fibroblasts, which produce the collagen and elastin fibers, making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled.” In another study, aloe vera was proven to improve skin integrity and decrease the appearance of fine lines and redness.
Minimizes Acne
In one study, treating acne with aloe was twice as effective as the alternative treatment, noting a difference in inflammation. This is possible thanks to the plant’s natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and aloe naturally contains salicylic acid, which helps address clogged pores.
Relieves Skin Irritation
Aloe has been linked with helping to relieve irritation and discomfort with some of the most uncomfortable skin conditions, including psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. This is likely due to the natural antiseptic and wound-healing properties, plus the ability to soothe inflammation and redness.
Improves Healing
In one study analyzing clinical benefits, researchers found that aloe vera can improve wound healing, noting that aloe is “recommended as the main or complementary treatment alongside other methods” to improve the skin’s natural healing. This is possible due to aloe’s natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, and wound-healing properties, notes the study. Also, studies have noted that aloe vera can not only increase the amount of collagen in wounds but also alter its composition, increase collagen cross-linking, and thereby promote wound healing.
Soothes Redness
One of the plant’s most well-known benefits is reducing skin redness, which is why it’s such a notable post-sun treatment. These benefits are possible thanks to our favorite compound (mentioned above in the ‘Deep Hydration’ section), polysaccharides, which encourage skin repair and new skin cellular creation. However, the gel also includes a natural pain reliever called carboxypeptidase, which is why it’s especially effective on sunburns.
The Best Aloe Vera Skincare Products
All of these results listed above are impressive, but it’s worth noting that there are more than 360 species of aloe known worldwide. Not all forms are equally effective, which is why the best aloe-containing products should be clinically tested and proven for efficacy. Also, aloe – famously – can have a sticky sensation when used in pure form, which is why skincare ingredients that perfect the aloe percentage can be beneficial, transforming the ingredient and making it feel cooling, soothing, and hydrating on the face (versus tacky and dehydrating). Here is our favorite product that includes all the wonderful benefits of aloe vera, in the convenience of sun protection.
Sun Protection Meets Soothing Aloe
The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+ is Tatcha’s newest sunscreen innovation, but it goes far beyond shielding UVA and UVB rays to prevent sunburn (although it does that with an impressive broad spectrum SPF 50+ protection, too). The formula includes aloe vera extract from Miyakojima, Okinawa, which is known for its exceptionally fertile soil. Not only are the aloe plants packed with mineral-rich alkaline materials, like calcium and potassium, but the plant extract is obtained from a unique manufacturing method that allows the ingredient to achieve the highest hydration and skin-soothing properties, without sacrificing freshness or potency.
In this ultra-lightweight sunscreen formula, the aloe delivers soothing relief to sun-stressed and dehydrated (vs. dry) skin. Why is this important? Sun exposure causes burns, which lead to skin inflammation and dehydration. The Milky Sunscreen combines the soothing moisture of Okinawa aloe with cellular hydration from encapsulated ectoin and vitamin E to leave skin feeling softer, smoother, and quenched with hydration. Think of it as sun protection, with a secret soothing super ingredient.
