Why We Love Aloe Vera For Skin & In Our Formulations
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a cactus-like plant known for its healing and medicinal properties. Back in Cleopatra’s era Aloe Vera was considered “the plant of immortality “used as a beauty ritual to enhance and prolong their beauty.
Today we all know that Aloe Vera is typically used when you get a little too much sun soothing sunburns. However, Aloe Vera has multiple benefits for the skin where it’s a nice addition to lotions and creams, added it in the water-phase in place of water as a base for hydration and as an anti-inflammatory. Suited for all skin types, especially dry, damaged, broken, sensitive or irritated skin, Aloe is a close match to our Skin’s pH balance therefore, it is able to moisturize and heal skin fast.
Did you know? "The skin absorbs Aloe Vera up to 4 times faster than water". It emerges that Aloe Vera can in fact help the pores of the skin to open and receive the moisture and nutrients needed. This is an interesting fact, since Aloe Vera is 99 % water. This shows that 1% of the ingredient is a super penetrator, taking the moisture of Aloe far into the underlying layers of the skin which plain water can not touch. This is why we use Aloe as our first ingredient in all of our skincare formulations instead of water.
In order to see the multiple benefits that Aloe Vera has on the skin let’s take a look at its bio active components. Aloe Vera is composed of mainly water along with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, polysaccharides, anthraquinones, amino acids, glycosides, flavones, phytosterols and salicylic acid.
Aloe Vera Rejuvenates & Repairing Skin
The vitamin and minerals component of Aloe Vera: Inside Aloe Vera leaves there is a gel like substance which has a vast range of vitamins. It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which consists of good antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and are very important for the skins structure to maintain vitality rejuvenating the skin, while flavones offer further protection from free-radical damage while minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc aid in the 'healing' benefits of aloe".
Aloe Vera Hydrating Properties
Polysaccharides , the sugar-like substances found in Aloe is one of the most important components found in this wonderful plant is by far the most important as it which gives it’s hydrating, emollient and anti-inflammatory benefits, while creating a protective barrier on the skin helping bind and retain moisture into the skin. When formulated in skincare Aloe Vera has been shown to increase the water content of the outermost layer of skin (called the stratum corneum) - the skin's thin protective surface barrier therefore making it an ideal ingredient for dry skin types helping restore skin elasticity and decrease the appearance of fine lines.
Hydrated skin is happy, healthy skin, and as we know, sufficient moisture also helps stave off the visible signs of aging (e.g. fine lines and wrinkles). Aloe Vera moisturizing effects have also been studied in treatment of dry skin improving the skins integrity, decreasing appearance of fine wrinkles and decreases erythema (superficial reddening of the skin). In addition its ability to help replenish and retain moisture in the skin, aloe also stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin fibers - all of which are necessary to keep skin hydrated, firm, and supple, which decline naturally with age.
Aloe Vera Slows The Signs Of Aging
Phytosterols component in Aloe Vera plant help give its healing properties as it soothes itchiness and irritation while also giving protection to prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss). It also aids protection of the epidermis and the skin’s ability to restore itself it as improves the appearance of aged or damaged skin by promoting new skin-cell growth. As a natural pH balancer, it gives the skin a smoother appearance and removes dead skin to unclog pores while amino acids help soften hardened skin cells in conjunction zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores.
Now let’s take a look on how Aloe Vera enhances and stimulates fibroblast activity. Fibroblasts are special cells found in the skin that create fiber such as Collagen and Elastin. What we do know is that Fibroblast cells are found in the dermis of the skin and are responsible for fabricating fiber such as collagen and elastin, the skin's support protein. These fibers give skin its structure and make it look fleshy and supple which means a more youthful look. Through normal aging processes and during sun exposure, fibroblasts slow their collagen production therefore wrinkling becomes deeper. Studies show that not only did aloe improve fibroblast cell integrity, but this plant quickened the making of collagen therefore the more its included as an ingredient in skincare the more YOUTHFUL we look. Something in Aloe gives it the ability to affect fibroblast cells and collagen production having skin look less wrinkled. That is definitely fine by us just fine with us because who doesn’t want a youthful appearance.
Aloe Vera Fights Acne & Is Good For Oily Skin
Acne is usually the cause from oily skin and Aloe absorbs easily, making it ideal for oily skin. You may ask how Aloe Vera helps with acne. Well besides having serious antibacterial skills in addition Aloe Vera contains salicylic acid, which is an exfoliant that helps to unclog pores, making it especially helpful in breakouts such as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Aloe acts as an anti-inflammatory on the oil glands that cause acne so using a daily moisturizer and cleanser with Aloe Vera will help with break outs.
Aloe Vera Helps Fade Dark Spots
Dark spots on the skin, also known as hyperpigmentation, can leave their mark for a variety of reasons. Whether from sun exposure, acne, or just the normal aging process, all dark spots typically have one thing in common is that they are stubborn. However, a compound called aloesin, found in the aloe vera plant, and help lighten things up. The use of a moisturizer with aloe vera can help skin from producing more melanin the pigment that, when overproduced, causes dark spots to form.
Aloe Vera Is Nutrient Rich For Healthy Skin
In conclusion aloe vera has long been regarded as super ingredient for healing and moisturization this is the reason we use it in our formulation instead of water. It has the capacity to rejuvenate the tissues of the skin and help repair the activity of damaged cells to find their identity again offering vitality and a healthy youthful glow.
Yes ingredients matter!
xoxo
Georgina Tzavaras
May 20,2021