Summer is the time when Aloe Vera gets mentioned a lot as it is widely known to soothe sunburns. However, did you know Aloe Vera can do much more than just soothing irritated skin, so much that the Egyptians called it “the plant of immortality”?
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What is Aloe Vera?
The plant has triangular leaves that are made of three distinct layers: 1) an inner clear gel that contains 95-99% water, with the rest made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins; 2) the bitter yellow sap is the middle layer that is rich in anthraquinones and glycosides; 3) the outer thick layer serves as the leaf’s protective layer, and synthesizes carbohydrates and proteins.
A typical Aloe Vera plant contains 12 vitamins including vitamins A, B4 (choline), B9 (folic acid), B12, C, and E, 8 types of enzymes, 20 minerals including calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc, 12 anthraquinones, sugars, 4 plant steroids (fatty acids), hormones like auxins and gibberellins, saponins, lignin, salicylic acid, 20 of the 22 human required amino acids, 7 of the 8 essential amino acids, and 200 phytonutrients.
Thanks to its phenomenal medicinal effects, the hearty plant has been used in Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, and Japan for millennia. Legend even has it that Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes, whilst Alexander the Great, and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldiers’ wounds.
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Aloe Vera’s Skin Benefits ① Healing
Glucomannan and gibberellin in Aloe Vera can interact with growth factor receptors on the fibroblast to stimulate its activity and proliferation thus increasing collagen synthesis in wounds and damaged skin. They also change collagen composition (more type III) and increase the degree of collagen cross linking, as well as increase synthesis of hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate in the granulation tissue of a healing wound, thus accelerating wound healing.
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Reson8™ <- Click to shop
A lightweight moisturizer in a hydrogel texture suitable for all skin types, Reson8™ comprises ingredients including Green Tea Extract, Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil, Marine Collagen, Gotu Kola Extract, Neroli Oil, Frankincense Oil and Rose Geranium Oil to calm, repair and stabilize the skin’s barrier while providing penetrating hydration, healing, rejuvenating and regenerating effects to the skin.
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Aloe Vera’s Skin Benefits ② Prevents UV-Induced Skin Damages
Upon topical application of Aloe Vera, an antioxidant protein, metallothionein, is generated in the skin, which scavenges hydroxyl radicals and prevents suppression of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the skin. This reduces the production and release of skin keratinocyte-derived immunosuppressive cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and prevents UV-induced hypersensitivity.
OUMERE
UV-R™ <- Click to shop
With Mulberry, which has the highest concentration of resveratrol in nature (10x more than what is found in grape), Bilberry, and other sprecious organic botanical ingredients like Cordyceps, Broccoli Sprout, Ginseng extracts and Aloe Vera Leaf Juice etc., UV-R prevents and reverses daily UV-induced damages, promotes cell regeneration, fights oxidative stress, and reverses photoaging, thus keeping the skin youthful and radiant.
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Aloe Vera’s Skin Benefits ③ Fights Inflammation, Bacteria, Allergies and Acne
Aloe Vera contains an antiallergic glycoprotein called alprogen, anti-inflammatory compounds like C-glucosyl chromone and aloin, and various antiseptic compounds. They work to inhibit cyclooxygenase pathway in the skin, as well as fungi, bacteria and viruses, thus reducing the appearance of inflammation, allergies, and even acne, and soothing existing redness and itchiness. It is thus widely used for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
EATH LIBRARY
Smooth Operator Purifying Cleansing Gel <- Click to shop
A mildly acidic cleanser that respects the skin barrier, gently dissolves and removes daily grimes in a hydrating, non-irritating way using naturally derived surfactants. The unique formula is enriched with White Truffle, Betaine Salicylate, Noni Fruit, and various berry extracts, Aloe Vera, as well as the brand's patented core brightening complex AYM to treat breakouts, lighten hyperpigmentation, increase transparency and elasticity, and fight free radicals.
KLUR
Supreme Seed Delicate Purification Mask <- Click to shop
Formulated with Kaolin, Papaya Extract, Wild Cherry Bark, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and Green Tea Leaf Water, it gently purifies and decongests to improve clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Together with soothing and balancing Panthenol, Gotu Kola, Kelp, Ginkgo, Calendula, and Cacao amongst other botanicals, as well as nourishing oils, it also helps calm, soothe, and improve the appearance of redness and irritation.
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Aloe Vera’s Skin Benefits ④ Anti-Aging
Aloe Vera, with its wide array of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, can stimulate the fibroblast in the dermis to produce more collagen and elastin fibers, as well as hyaluronic acid, resulting in a thicker dermis and hence skin that is more elastic, supple, hydrated, and better yet, with less wrinkles. Whilst, the amino acids soften hardened skin cells and zinc helps tighten pores.
OUMERE
Serum Bioluminelle™ <- Click to shop
Combining Carrot Seed Oil, Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Green Coffee Oil and Black Seed Oil, which are known to have superior anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, as well as Ursolic Acid, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Beta-Glucan, Elastin Protein, Ginseng, Reishi, and Turmeric etc., it promotes collagen and elastin synthesis, improves wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, hydrates, soothes, reduces acne, fights free radicals and slows aging.
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Aloe Vera’s Skin Benefits ⑤ Soothes & Hydrates Skin
One of the most crucial elements found in Aloe Vera is a carbohydrate called acemannan. It helps nutrients, like the ultra hydrating polysaccharides, to reach our skin cells more easily and nourish them. Studies have found that topical application of Aloe Vera can increase the water content of the stratum corneum. It also prevents trans-epidermal water loss by forming a protective barrier on the skin, thus reducing the chance of dehydration.
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Hydr8 Misting Veil™ <- Click to shop
With a simple composition of Oat Silk, Aloe Vera, Allantoin, Vegetable Glycerin, and Sodium Hyaluronate that suits even the most sensitive skin, this hydrating mist soothes irritations, hydrates, locks in moisture, fights free radicals, calms inflammations, and speeds up the skin's natural healing process by stimulating cell regeneration.
KLUR
Immersion Serum Concentrate <- Click to shop
Besides having a wide range of ultra hydrating ingredients, including Green Tea Water, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate & Sodium Hyaluronate, the serum is also packed with Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 to stimulate collagen synthesis and micro-circulation, improve skin barrier and hydration, reduce wrinkles and inflammation, regenerate collagen fibers, and rejuvenate skin. Whilst, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Reishi, Gotu Kola, White Tea and Chamomile etc. are added to brighten, fight free radicals, hydrate and soothe.
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Aloe Vera’s Skin Benefits ⑥ Reduces Hyperpigmentation
According to one study, aloesin, a compound found in Aloe Vera, when applied four times per day for 15 days, was found to be effective in reducing UV-induced and post-acne hyperpigmentation. Whilst, another found that topical application of aloesin can directly inhibit hyperpigmented skin from producing more melanin, thus helping dark spots to fade faster.
AGENT NATEUR
acid(wash) Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser <- Click to shop
Infused with premium organic ingredients, such as Peony Root Extract, Lavender Flower Water and Oil, Aloe Vera, as well as Lactic Acid, this gentle cleanser removes daily grime, soothes inflammation, and gently exfoliates to brighten dull skin, refine texture and pores, reduce hyperpigmentation, and reduce blackheads and acne yet without any irritation, leaving skin silky, supple, and youthful.
KLUR
Stellar Restoration Corrective Complex <- Click to shop
Featuring star ingredient 1.8% Encapsulated Retinol, as well as Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Squalane, Vitamin E, Salicylic Acid, Licorice Root, Gotu Kola, Willow Bark, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate and MSM etc., the powerful yet gentle watery serum stimulates collagen synthesis and rejuvenates skin to effectively reduce wrinkles, acne and hyperpigmentation, smooth skin texture, slow aging, and minimize pores in a soothing, hydrating way.
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