Photo Credit: "© [lovelyday12] / Adobe Stock
The magical properties of aloe vera are well-known within the skincare community. In fact, if you look at any sensitive skin care product ingredients, you’ll likely see the dewy, fresh plant. This article breaks down why aloe plants are essential for sensitive skin and the best aloe skincare products for a radiant complexion.
What is aloe vera?
The aloe vera plant is a green, spiky plant that grows in hot, dry climates like Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. It has long, triangular leaves with a thick, fleshy substance inside known as aloe vera gel. The clear and jelly-like gel is often used to beautify the skin.
Is aloe vera good for sensitive skin?
A natural humectant to refresh dry skin
Photo Credit: "© [volff] / Adobe Stock
Sensitive skin often struggles to retain an intact derma barrier, which is the outer layer of the skin. The barrier is mainly comprised of lipids (healthy fats) and water. Water keeps your skin fresh and hydrated but escapes if the derma barrier is damaged, creating dry and irritated skin.
Aloe vera is a humectant, attracting water molecules from its surrounding environment into skin cells. This flash rehydration replenishes lost moisture to quench thirsty skin and revitalise your complexion.
Soothing antioxidant to protect against free radicals
Photo Credit: "© [Nevada31] / Adobe Stock
Your body is constantly fighting off free radicals - unstable atoms that attack cells. The radicals break down and inflame skin cells, causing redness, dry skin and breakouts. They also damage collagen, causing premature ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
The aloe plant is enriched with antioxidants that shield skin cells from harmful radicals. Antioxidants ‘donate’ an atom to the free radical, stabilising it to prevent further damage. The result is protected skin with a radiant glow.
Calms redness and irritation with its anti-inflammatory properties
Photo Credit: "© [lovelyday12] / Adobe Stock
Inflammation is an immune response when the cells swell in reaction to something that’s irritating or harming the skin. This can result in dry, flakey patches, redness and swollen acne. Unfortunately, it seems that almost anything and everything inflames sensitive skin types. Dry air? Inflammation. Strong fragrance? Inflammation. Harsh ingredients? You guessed it - inflammation.
The aloe vera plant is widely known for its gentle, anti-inflammatory effects. Aloe vera gel sinks into the skin, calming swelling and decreasing sore, red, and angry skin.
Antibacterial to reduce acne
Photo Credit: "© [New Africa] / Adobe Stock
Acne is inflammation of the skin, and there are a few things that cause it. It can be triggered internally by eating a high-sugar diet, or it may be because of hormonal changes like menopause or periods. However, a common cause of acne is ingredients that clog the pores or disrupt the skin barrier, letting in bacteria.
Aloe is abundant in compounds that fight bacterial growth, helping tackle infected spots that are struggling to heal. The beautiful plant's calming properties also reduce redness and swelling to improve the appearance of acne and soothe the skin.
Gentle to restore the skin and reduce eczema symptoms
Photo Credit: "© [Pixel-Shot] / Adobe Stock
Skin cells naturally turnover, replacing old cells with new ones for bright, hydrated, and supple skin. Over time, however, the skin becomes clogged with dead cells and dirt, slowing the renewal process.
Exfoliators and retinol can enhance the cells' natural recycling process, but these products are often too harsh on sensitive skin, especially if you are still healing the lipid barrier. The salicylic acid in aloe vera sleuths away lifeless cells and accelerates new ones for soft and revitalised skin without triggering a negative reaction.
The best aloe vera skincare products for sensitive skin
Photo Credit: "© [galitskaya] / Adobe Stock
Choosing the right aloe vera products is essential to treat sensitive skin. Here are our top aloe vera skincare picks:
When you look at the ingredients on MooGoos Udder Cream, you’ll see that aloe vera is fifth on the list! This silky aloe vera moisturiser helps restore dry and damaged skin, replenishing it with the nourishing properties of aloe vera. It can be used all over the body and is perfect for delicate skin types.
Photo Credit: "© [Maridav] / Adobe Stock
Washing your body without triggering dry and painful skin can be challenging when you have a sensitive derma barrier. Faith in Nature’s Aloe Soap blends pure aloe vera with ylang-ylang to gently cleanse without aggravating skin. Add water to the soap and lather in the palm of your hands before massaging into the skin to softly wash and hydrate.
If you’re after aloe vera for face skincare, we recommend MooGoo’s Sensitive Skin Balm. It’s specifically formulated with all your sensitive skin types in mind. It combines aloe leaf juice with lightweight almond and olive oil to calm irritated skin. It’s ideal for calming mild eczema and psoriasis to combat itchiness and soothe a red complexion.
Photo Credit: "© [BrilliantPixels] / Adobe Stock
When healing delicate skin, the right moisturiser makes all the difference. MooGoo’s creamy moisturiser combines the hydrating properties of aloe vera gel for skin with coconut oil. While the aloe moisturises, the coconut oil replenishes lipids for conditioned and satin-smooth skin.
You can apply pure aloe vera gel directly to your face and body to quench thirsty skin and reveal a glossy complexion. The best aloe vera gel is 100% organic and soothes, cools, and hydrates fragile skin types. Squeeze a small amount onto your finger and massage it into damp skin. Follow up with an aloe vera based moisturiser to condition and soften.
Refresh and beautify your sensitive skin with aloe vera skincare
Photo Credit: "© [Trichaiwat] / Adobe Stock
Aloe plant is one of the most refreshing, healing, and gentle ingredients that can be used on sensitive skin. Look for it in cleansers and moisturisers, or apply organic aloe vera gel directly to your skin. Find bliss in sensitive skin with aloe vera.
