Ingredient glossary
Aloe
On your shelf ✓What Aloe does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice · Also: Aloe Vera
In short: Aloe delivers hydration and soothing, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate.
- What it does
- Hydration, soothing
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Moderate
The Glow take
The kind of ingredient sensitive skin quietly loves.
Aloe earns its place by calming things down: less redness, less sting, a happier barrier. Not a headline active.
— Maya
What it does
- hydration
- soothing
moderate evidenceSupported by cosmetic chemistry literature for its assigned function, with fewer direct clinical outcome studies than hero actives.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- all
- sensitive
Approach with care
- rare allergy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- humectants
- allantoin
Aloe, answered
Is Aloe safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Aloe is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Aloe?
Approach Aloe with care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.
What concentration of Aloe actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
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