Aloe Vera for the Skin: Real Properties and Uses in Cosmetics

Aloe Vera is one of the plants most widely used in cosmetics thanks to its soothing, hydrating and repairing properties. Used since ancient times, it is now found in creams, serums and lotions for the face and body.

One premise that saves time: when discussing the benefits of aloe vera, two different topics tend to get mixed together. There is aloe to drink, meaning juice taken as a dietary supplement, which concerns digestion and intestinal transit and should be assessed with a doctor or pharmacist. And there is aloe applied to the skin, which hydrates, soothes and provides relief after sun exposure. These are two uses with different effects, doses and rules: here we are discussing the second.

In brief: on the skin, aloe vera hydrates, soothes and provides relief, and works best in a formula that retains water with emollients and humectants. At LeLang, you can find it from organic farming in Elyx Performance, together with snail slime and hyaluronic acid. For other solutions dedicated to thirsty skin, discover the hydrating facial treatments.

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What is aloe vera and what does it contain?

Aloe Vera has been used for millennia: the ancient Egyptians called it the "plant of immortality", while the Greeks and Romans applied it to skin irritations, and in Asia it was used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. What has changed is not its use, but the fact that today we know which components justify it and which do not.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is a succulent plant that stores water in its fleshy leaves, creating a gel rich in active components.

The composition of the gel

• Polysaccharides: such as acemannan, which supports cellular renewal processes;
• Vitamins and minerals: including vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, which help protect against free radicals;
• Amino acids: building blocks of the skin's structural proteins;
• Enzymes: such as bradykinase, studied for its action on inflammatory processes;
• Fatty acids and plant sterols: with an emollient and soothing action.

A detail that is often overlooked: the gel of Aloe, extracted from the inner part of the leaf, is the part used in cosmetics. The yellow latex found just beneath the peel, on the other hand, contains aloin, a substance that may be irritating and that is removed during processing in quality products.

The benefits of Aloe Vera for the skin

Hydration

Aloe Vera gel acts as a natural humectant thanks to its ability to retain water in the surface layers, making the skin more elastic and comfortable. It is particularly useful for dehydrated skin.

Soothing action

Thanks to the presence of enzymes and polysaccharides, Aloe Vera helps reduce redness and feelings of irritation. This is why it is one of the most widely used ingredients in after-sun products and products for sensitive skin.

Support for skin renewal

Acemannan has been studied for its role in supporting tissue renewal processes, which is why Aloe often appears in formulas intended for stressed skin.

Antioxidant action

The antioxidants contained in Aloe Vera, including vitamins C and E, help counter oxidative stress, one of the factors behind premature skin aging.

Blemish-prone skin

Aloe Vera's properties also make it interesting for acne-prone skin, where it is often combined with active ingredients such as salicylic acid to balance their action with a soothing component.

Aloe Vera in cosmetics improves the skin's comfort and appearance. It does not treat atopic dermatitis, burns, or skin lesions: for these conditions, a doctor remains the point of reference.

Aloe vera on the face: what changes compared with the body

On the body, aloe is almost always used in just one way: pure gel, immediately after sun exposure or on a reddened area. On the face, things are different, because the skin is thinner, it is treated every day, and aloe almost never comes alone. Three practical differences.

• How long the effect lasts. A pure gel provides relief for as long as it remains moist on the skin. A face that needs to stay hydrated for twelve hours requires a formula that retains the water drawn in by the aloe, and doing so requires emollients and lipids that are not present in the gel.
• What it is paired with. On the face, aloe is most effective as a balancing component alongside a more potent active ingredient: an exfoliating acid, a retinoid, or a peptide. On its own, it moisturizes and soothes, but it does not transform.
• The feeling of tight skin. Very concentrated gels can leave a film that feels tight as they dry. On the body this goes unnoticed; on the face, it is noticeable, and people with dry skin interpret it as "aloe doesn't moisturize me." In reality, it does moisturize: something is simply missing on top to seal it in.

The point is this: on the face, it is not how much aloe there is that matters, but the formula it is in. A label that begins with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice only says that the formula's water is, wholly or partly, aloe juice. It is a good starting sign, not a guarantee of results.

Aloe to drink and aloe for the skin: why they are not the same thing

It is the most widespread confusion, and it stems from the fact that there is only one plant, while the products derived from it are many.

Juice for drinking is a food supplement: it is taken orally, has its own dosages and warnings, and questions concerning it - intestinal transit, reflux, interactions with medications - should be addressed to a doctor or pharmacist. It is not the domain of a cosmetic, and no facial product can claim those effects.

Gel applied to the skin works where it is applied: it retains water in the superficial layers, reduces the sensation of heat and tightness, and makes the formulas in which it appears more comfortable to use. This is the form relevant to skincare, and it is the one you find in INCI as Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice.

There is also a regulatory reason to keep the two discussions separate, and it is useful to know it because it is often cited inappropriately. In March 2021, the European Commission banned preparations based on Aloe leaves containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives - aloin, aloe-emodin, emodin - in foods and food supplements, based on an EFSA opinion on genotoxicity. In November 2024, the General Court of the European Union aned that entry in the regulation, upholding the appeal brought by companies in the sector. The entire matter concerns ingestion: cosmetic gel, purified of aloin during processing, was never at issue. Anyone citing that ban to argue that "aloe is harmful" is mixing up two worlds that the law keeps separate.

In practice: drinking aloe does not hydrate the face any more than drinking water does, and applying aloe to the skin has no effect on digestion. If you are looking for a result in skin texture and comfort, the topical route is the one to take.

When not to use aloe vera on the skin

It is a very well-tolerated ingredient, but it is worth knowing a few precautions.

• On damaged skin: open cuts, extensive burns, or surgical wounds are not suitable for cosmetic products. Medical attention is needed there, not a soothing gel.
• In case of an allergy to Liliaceae: people who react to garlic, onions, or tulips belong to a related botanical family and may also become sensitized to aloe. A test in the crook of the elbow, before applying it to the face, can resolve the doubt.
• With gel extracted at home from the leaf: this is the highest-risk situation, because without proper processing, the yellow latex rich in aloin remains, which can cause irritation. Cosmetic gel is purified specifically to remove this fraction.
• If persistent stinging occurs: a refreshing sensation is normal, but burning that lasts is not. In that case, rinse it off and discontinue use.

Uses of Aloe Vera in cosmetics

Aloe Vera is used in various types of products thanks to its versatility:

• soothing gels and creams, ideal after sun exposure or in case of redness;
• hydrating serums and boosters, for lightweight hydration that does not feel heavy;
• face masks, for an immediate refreshing effect;
• gentle cleansers, which cleanse without altering the hydrolipidic film;
• hair treatments, to hydrate the scalp.

It is often the first ingredient people encounter in the world of skincare, precisely because it is forgiving of mistakes. If you are building your routine now and want to understand which steps are actually necessary and in what order, the starting point is the article on skincare: what it means and where to start.

What is aloe vera gel used for

Gel is the form in which aloe most often reaches the skin, and it is the one that raises the most questions. It does three things, all related to immediate comfort.

1. It soothes the skin after sun or heat exposure. On overheated skin, it reduces the burning sensation within seconds: the water-based fraction evaporates and cools, while the polysaccharides remain on the surface to retain water.
2. It hydrates without leaving a greasy film. That is why it works well on combination and oily skin, the décolleté, and the shoulders, where a rich cream would feel heavy.
3. Soothe a reddened area. After shaving, after hair removal, or on irritation caused by chafing, the gel reduces the feeling of discomfort without clogging the pore.

What the gel does not do: it does not nourish dry skin, replace your day cream, or have anti-aging action. It is a comfort active, not a transformative one: the result lasts as long as the skin remains moist.

Pure gel or formulated gel? A gel with a very high percentage of aloe is the right choice for the body and for immediate relief in summer. For the face, and for everyday use, a gel formulated with humectants and emollients delivers more: the water drawn in by the aloe is retained instead of evaporating within a few minutes. At the pharmacy and para-pharmacy, you can assess the texture before choosing.

What is an aloe vera cream used for

It's the question we hear most often at the counter, and the honest answer is that it depends almost entirely on what's around the aloe. An aloe vera cream serves three purposes, and none of them is to treat anything.

1. Hydrate without weighing down. Aloe draws water into the surface layers and does so with a lightweight texture. That's why it works well on combination and oily skin, which needs water but cannot tolerate rich formulas.
2. Make reactive skin feel comfortable. On skin that feels tight, hot, or reddens easily, an aloe cream reduces the feeling of discomfort. It does not eliminate the cause: it makes the day more manageable while the barrier rebuilds.
3. Allow the use of a stronger active. This is the most interesting and least talked-about use. An aloe cream applied after an exfoliant or retinoid is what allows you to continue the treatment instead of stopping after the third application.

What an aloe cream does not do: it does not lighten dark spots, fill wrinkles, or treat acne. If one of these is your goal, aloe will probably be in the formula, but it won't be the ingredient you're looking for.

How to read a label: look for Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice in the INCI and see what accompanies it. If you don't find emollients, lipids, or a supporting humectant after the aloe, you have a gel disguised as a cream: it won't last long on dry skin.

Aloe Vera in LeLang products

In our formulas, organic Aloe Vera almost always has the same role: balance. It is the ingredient that makes a stronger active tolerable, which is why it appears alongside acids and peptides.

In Mandelic Enzymatic Soft Peel, it accompanies mandelic acid and exfoliating enzymes with its soothing component.

In Formula Eyes Duo Peptide, organic Aloe Vera juice works alongside the two active peptides around the eyes, one of the most delicate areas of the face.

And in the Perlage cream, it works together with bisabolol to make an anti-aging treatment comfortable to use.

In the aloe vera ingredient page, you will find the complete list of LeLang formulas that contain it, for the face and body. If you prefer to try the texture before choosing, you can also find the products in partner pharmacies throughout Italy, where the pharmacist can help you assess whether aloe is sufficient or whether your skin needs a more targeted active ingredient.

Frequently asked questions

What does aloe vera do for the skin?

It retains water in the superficial layers, reduces redness and the feeling of heat, and makes the skin feel softer to the touch. This is why it appears in after-sun products, products for sensitive skin, and as a soothing component alongside more potent active ingredients. It is not a transformative active ingredient: it is an excellent comfort ingredient.

What is pure aloe vera gel used for?

It refreshes, provides relief after sun exposure, and hydrates the surface without leaving a greasy residue. It is the ideal format for the body and occasional use. On the face and in a daily routine, a formula that combines aloe with emollients and humectants delivers better results, because it retains water for longer.

Can aloe vera be used on the face every day?

Yes. At cosmetic concentrations, it is one of the best-tolerated ingredients and can be part of a daily routine, morning and evening. The only precaution concerns highly concentrated pure gels, which can leave some skin feeling tight as they dry: in that case, apply a cream on top.

Is pure gel or aloe in a cream better?

It depends on the goal. The gel provides immediate relief and is perfect after sun exposure or on overheated skin, but it evaporates and does not leave any protection. Aloe incorporated into a formula with emollients and lipids works for longer, because the water it attracts is retained. For a daily routine, the second option delivers better results.

Does aloe vera help with dark spots or scars?

For hyperpigmentation, aloe is not the go-to active: it works on comfort and hydration, not melanin production. For that type of goal, other molecules are considered, as described in the guide to facial hyperpigmentation. However, it may help keep the skin hydrated during the repair phase for marks left by a blemish.

Can aloe vera be used during pregnancy?

For topical use, it is among the ingredients that continue to be used without particular reservations, and is actually useful when the skin becomes more reactive. Oral consumption of aloe juice or supplements is a different matter and should always be discussed with a gynecologist.

Conclusion

Aloe vera remains a valuable ingredient for skincare thanks to its moisturizing and soothing properties. It is not a "miracle" active on its own, but it is one of the best formula companions: it makes treatments sustainable over time that would otherwise be too harsh.

Sources for this article

01 Surjushe A., Vasani R., Saple D.G., "Aloe vera: a short review", Indian Journal of Dermatology, vol. 53 no. 4, 2008, pp. 163-166
02 Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/468 of 18 March 2021 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as regards botanical species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives; in force since 8 April 2021
03 General Court of the European Union, judgment of 13 November 2024, Case T-189/21, Aloe Vera of Europe BV v European Commission, which aned the entry concerning preparations based on Aloe leaves
04 Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products and Regulation (EU) No 655/2013 laying down common criteria for claims relating to cosmetic products
05 In vitro and experimental model studies on acemannan and the polysaccharides of Aloe barbadensis: the available literature is largely preclinical and does not allow the results to be extrapolated to a finished cosmetic product without testing the product

On the website: aloe vera ingredient profile · dry or dehydrated skin · sensitive skin · salicylic acid · bisabolol · partner pharmacies