The aloe vera plant has been used for centuries for medicinal and skincare benefits. The aloe vera plant is comprised mainly of water but contains concentrated amounts of vitamins, amino acids, and minerals and is known for its moisturizing and antibacterial properties.
Benefits of Aloe Vera
You may be familiar with cutting a piece of aloe from an aloe vera plant and putting it on a cut or burn. While this natural plant has many anecdotal benefits, we are going to explore the ways aloe vera is incorporated into modern skincare and the reasons we love it!
Known for its Gentle Feel on the Skin
Aloe vera is perhaps best known as a skin-comforting ingredient. This is because aloe vera’s main component, water, hydrates sensitive, dry, and visibly irritated skin. When applied to skin made sensitive by sunburn, windburn, or injury, the water in aloe vera gel provides an instant cooling sensation while the antioxidants, nutrients, and other compounds are good for skin as it heals naturally.
Known for its Moisturizing Effects
Along with the high water content, which helps hydrate skin, aloe vera contains polysaccharides and amino acids that nourish the skin, allowing it to hold onto more water and stay visibly hydrated longer. Hydration is key to healthy-looking, resilient skin, especially when irritated by the sun or other conditions.
Supports the Skin's Natural Moisture Balance
Dermatologists recognize that skin dryness is often due to transepidermal water loss (TEWL), when water in the body evaporates through the skin, leaving the surface dehydrated. Aloe vera has been known to help reduce water loss by forming a protective barrier on top of the skin where it’s applied.
Helps Against Visible Breakouts
Well-hydrated skin helps the skin’s natural barrier. A compromised barrier is known to be one of the key issues in skin conditions like acne or sunburned skin. With its moisturizing and barrier-supporting benefits, aloe vera is a great choice for an oil-free moisturizer or to supplement your other moisturizers with added water and antioxidant properties.
Known to Visibly Reduce Inflammation
Another dimension to aloe vera is its ability to reduce the appearance of inflammation. Not only does it accomplish this with its natural cooling effect, but also with the compounds contained in it.
How to Use Aloe Vera
If you have never used aloe vera, make sure you do a patch test to check for sensitivity or allergy to it. Apply some aloe to the desired area and massage it onto the skin. If you are trying to cool down the area, a cold compress can be applied on top of the gel for added cooling. If using on the face, apply a small amount and massage in, or mix a small amount into your facial moisturizer and apply to skin. Allow the moisturizer to dry down for a few minutes before applying makeup.
You can also use aloe vera gel after shaving or waxing for a cooling effect and to moisturize and create a thin barrier on the skin.
High Quality Aloe Vera Skincare Products
With its hydrating benefits helping with the appearance of everything from sunburns to thin skin, aloe vera is a potent natural ingredient used in many Epicuren Discovery products, including our Aloe Vera Calming Gel and Moisture Surge Hyaluronic Acid Gel. Our pharmaceutical research has shown that aloe vera is the perfect ingredient when looking for hydration benefits.
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Learn more about our complete line of natural, high-quality skincare products by browsing our site or by taking our Skin Quiz to find personalized recommendations for your unique skin type.
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