Al
Aloe Vera
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice · Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract · Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder · Aloe Barbadensis Flower ExtractSoothing
Plant gel from the aloe leaf. Mildly cooling; useful as a humectant base in lightweight formulations.
What it does
Aloe vera is mostly water plus polysaccharides, small amounts of glycoproteins, and trace amounts of vitamins. Its reputation as a sunburn calmer is based on the cooling and surface-hydrating effect more than a deep dermatological mechanism. As a cosmetic base it makes a decent humectant and a pleasant skin feel. Some users react to anthraquinones in unrefined leaf extracts.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusIf skin is reactive, peeling, stinging, or burning unexpectedly, pause all actives and rebuild the barrier with simple cleanser, ceramide-rich moisturizer, and SPF for 2–4 weeks before re-introducing actives one at a time.Lodén 2003 · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
aloe barbadensis
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