Spotlight on Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera features in varying forms in a range of our products as it's such a healing plant.

We use aloe vera juice in our crystal Facial Spritzes, Hand & Surface Sanitising Gel and Hand & Surface Sanitising Spritz, while we use aloe vera gel in our Eyelights Make Up Remover, Eyelights Eye Balm and Body Cocoon.

Renowned for its cooling and calming benefits, it’s also an anti-inflammatory and an anaesthetic. The gel found inside the cacti-like leaves of the plant contains approximately 75 active constituents including; vitamins A and B, enzymes, minerals, sugars, saponins, salicylic, folic and amino acids and triglycerides. ⠀⠀

Aloe vera is considered the plant of immortality by the Egyptians. Historically, Egyptian queens Cleopatra and Nefertiti bathed in the gel with the belief that it would enhance and prolong their beauty and it has long been used as a healing agent for burns and wounds.

Here's a rundown of just some of the skin-based afflictions that aloe vera can assist in treating:

• First and second-degree burns - this one seems obvious as many of us have reached for aloe vera after spending too much time in the sun! Aloe vera contains polysaccharides which aid in repairing the skin and producing new skin cells as well as carboxypeptidase that sooth the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera are thanks to aloin and this can also help prevent any peeling caused by the burn.  
• Swollen skin & muscles - it's anti-inflammatory properties can reduce swelling and it's anaesthetic properties aid in relieving pain. 
• Fungal infections - the acemannan in aloe vera contains anti-fungal properties. It treats the infection, soothes the skin and repairs any skin damage
• Abrasions/cuts - relieves pain, heals wounds, minimises scarring and encourages the growth of new skin cells
• Aged/damaged skin - the salicylic acid helps to shifts dead skin cells and promotes new growth. Aloe vera can also aid in balancing the PH levels in the skin
• Dry skin - it's absorbed four times faster than water and, once dried, it provides a protective barrier to lock moisture in. 
• Acne - its anti-inflammatory properties are called on again to cool, soothe and calm the skin. It also helps to remove redness. Salicylic acid helps to unclog the pores and minimises any scarring. 
• Coldsores - it's known to treat the herpes virus and also aids in cooling and calming the sore. 
• Eczema/psoriasis - it moisturises the skin and aids in alleviating inflammation, redness and itchiness. It also encourages new skin cell growth.

Aloe vera is such an easy and hardy plant to grow in your garden (it also grows well in a pot!) with the inner gel-like part of the leaves able to be used topically for all of the afflictions (and many more) listed above. 

So why not head down to your local garden centre and grow this healing plant at your place. It's so wonderful to have on hand and will be a welcome addition to your life. 

Please note, as with any pure ingredient you place on your skin, it's always advised to do a patch test first in case of irritation.