Every second balcony in India has an aloe vera pot. Most of us have broken off a leaf at some point and rubbed the gel on a burn from the tawa, or on our face after a day in the sun.
So is aloe really the skin saver everyone says it is? Mostly yes, with a few honest caveats.
What aloe is good at
- Cooling. The gel is mostly water. It feels cold on hot skin and takes the sting out after too much sun.
- Light moisture. It hydrates without the heavy, oily feel of a thick cream. That's why it works in humid Indian weather.
- Calming. Skin that feels tight after a face wash or a shave usually feels better with a thin layer of aloe.
What it can't do
Aloe is not a sunscreen. It won't fade pigmentation in a week, and it won't fix a skin condition. If something on your skin is painful, spreading or not healing, see a dermatologist.
Fresh gel straight from the leaf also has a catch. The yellow sap just under the skin of the leaf can irritate some people. If you use it fresh, let the leaf drain for ten minutes and patch test on your arm first.
Why aloe alone isn't always enough
Plain aloe gel dries quickly. On its own it can leave your skin feeling tight an hour later. A little oil on top locks the water in. That's why the old home remedy was often aloe with a few drops of coconut oil.
How we use it
Our Aloe Coconut Cream is built on that idea: aloe for the cooling, a small amount of coconut oil and vitamin E so the moisture stays. It's light enough for oily skin and humid days. Use it on the face and body, morning and night, and a little on frizzy hair ends. On very hot days, keep it in the fridge.
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