We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – aloe vera is the magic skincare bullet, not only for its myriad health and beauty benefits, but also because it’s the perfect complement to many aesthetic treatments and procedures.

This medicinal succulent has leaves loaded with goodness – you will likely know it best as a  traditional remedy for soothing sunburn and inflamed skin. It's all thanks to a substance called glucomannan which works on the receptors of the fibroblasts, the cells responsible for healing.

Dubbed the ‘plant of immortality’ by the ancient Egyptians, aloe vera also offers anti-inflammatory benefits, making it great for skin conditions such as acne and ulcers.

You can even use it on your hair, as the proteolytic enzymes remove dead skin cells while promoting healthy hair growth and helping to prevent split ends.

Along with a host of antioxidants, aloe vera also contains a hormone called gibberellins, which helps to encourage skin cell turnover and kick start the skin’s healing process: following a laser skin treatment I had recently, I was advised to use an aloe vera gel if I suffered from a histamine response of swelling or raised bumps, to help reduce the histamine reaction quicker.

“The aloe plant is an amazing natural healer and should never be discounted for improving the integrity of the skin,” confirms Claire Williams, Skin Expert and Founder of the WOW Facial.
 
“It’s particularly good post waxing or post microdermabrasion, and is often seen in post procedure moisturisers – they always apply aloe vera to my eyebrows after threading as it reduces redness and takes away that post procedure sting you get from having your eyebrows done. We use it in our facial washes as it can really help with moisturising the skin.
 
“You could go rustic and use the inside of the leaf that looks like a gel, or you could use a number of products off the shelf that are loaded with aloe gel."

 Aloe vera ranges we love

Caudalie

A number of products in this French plant-based range contain aloe vera, but we especially love Grape Water Gel Moisturiser which contains organic aloe vera and is ideal for all skin types, and the soap-free Eau des Vignes Shower Gel which is enriched with aloe vera, along with bergamot, white musk and iris.

Green People

The aluminium-free Aloe Vera & Prebiotics Deodorant from organic range Green People is a refreshing, natural deodorant containing organic aloe vera that’s kind to sensitive skin; we also like Daily Aloe Shower Gel which contains a blend of organic aloe vera and lavender.

Embryolisse

With one sold every 20 seconds in the UK, Lait Creme Concentre from cult French favourite Embryolisse is loved by makeup artists for its multi-purpose benefits. Made with skin-friendly ingredients including aloe vera, soy and shea, it’s perfect for all skin types.

Clarins

You’ll find aloe vera in many of Clarins’ products, including the glow-giving Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face, and Sun Care Cream for Body SPF50+. We also love Body Smoothing Moisture Milk, which features floral and citrus notes along with aloe vera, and hydrates skin for up to 48 hours.

Jason

Focusing on wholesome ingredients for natural results, JASON uses aloe vera in many of its botanical products. Soothing Aloe Vera 84% Moisturizing Creme contains highly concentrated aloe vera gel and is loved by many of its fans, as is Soothing Aloe Vera Body Wash which contains aloe vera and sunflower seed oil.

Dr Organic

Dr Organic replaces water with organic aloe vera in its products, which range from skin lotion to body wash. The top rated Aloe Vera Gel Maximum Strength packs a punch with pure bioactive organic aloe vera, ensuring that the plant’s beneficial polysaccharide levels are captured and maximised to help soothe, moisturise and restore dry and sun exposed skin.