We can’t get enough of this soothing ingredient
Aloe vera is much more than a potted decoration; it can be used to hydrate, soothe, and balance your skin without being harsh, so it’s great even for those with sensitive skin. And while it’s not always possible to access it while it's fresh, there are many ways to add it to your body care routine. Here are our favourite aloe vera products to try...
1
Try a body wash
As aloe vera is such a versatile ingredient, it often pops up in products that aren’t conventionally a moisturiser or cream. It’s one of the leading ingredients in Swisse Lemongrass Body Wash, which helps to keep skin hydrated even when you’re using it in the shower. There’s no better scent than lemongrass to wake up your senses in the morning or soothe tired muscles in the evening.
2
Try an exfoliator
Lucky for us, aloe vera can also pop up in body products like exfoliators. Biology Skin Soothing Body Buff features aloe vera as its hero ingredient, and also brings together ylang ylang to balance oil production on skin and litsea cubeba, which is a botanical ingredient known to tone the skin’s surface.
3
Try a gel
One of the more traditional ways to incorporate aloe vera into your routine is with a gel. Sukin Aloe Vera Gel can be used so many different ways: as a lightweight moisturiser, an after-sun soother or to instantly cool overheated skin.
4
Try a light lotion
A key strength of aloe vera is its ability to calm dry and irritated skin. We like Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturiser Aloe Soothe as it is housed in a nifty spray bottle that can be spritzed easily and evenly onto skin, and it's formulated with Vaseline’s petroleum jelly to lock in moisture.
5
Try a moisturiser
Those with drier skin types (especially on legs) will require a richer formula with aloe vera to replenish moisture. Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Hydrating Lotion with Aloe Vera for Normal Skin is great as it also contains L-Bifidus to strengthen the skin’s layers so it’s more resilient to future moisture loss.
6
Try a tanning product
Believe it or not, aloe vera often makes an appearance in tanning products, too. It works harmoniously with colour pigments to lightly tint skin with colour without leaving it stripped of hydration. Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Foam has an aloe vera-enriched formula that hydrates skin and adds a kiss of colour. And while it may look just like water (after all, it has a translucent appearance), you apply it with a mitt like you would any other tanning mousse and the colour develops within a few hours.
Obsessed with oils? Us too. Find out how to use more jojoba oil in your skin care routine and why you should use coconut oil in your beauty routine.
Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.
