There is something magical about summer, the golden light of when the sun sets on those balmy nights (maybe even sipping cocktails on the beach with your gal pals). It is easy to get lost within this magic: It’s this sense of freedom which can sometimes lead us astray…
We can nap a little too long under the hot summer sun, or perhaps even be a little too relaxed on the ever so important sunscreen re-application. So, what to do when we get a little sun-silly? Well, we need to give this ode to our favourite summer saviour: Aloe Vera.
What is Aloe Vera?
Yes, it is a sticky icky greenish gel, with a gooey consistency that might not look so appealing, but the immediate relief you get from this magical soothing plant is nothing short of godlike. You might recognise the Aloe Vera plant, with its thick cactus-like leaves.
This nutrient-packed succulent, which has over 400 types of species (Barbadensis which is most honoured) are renowned in both the medical and beauty industry for their incredible skin benefits. So, let’s do a deeper dive into the Aloe plant...
Aloe Barbandensis Miller consists of triangular leaf’s, which are composed of three layers. There is a firm outer leaf, a middle layer made up of a yellow sap containing glycosides and anthraquinones and an inner gel which is made up of over 90% water. The inner gel is removed from the rind and is generally cold-pressed for use.
The Historical benefits from Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is not a modern-day skin saviour find. Known across history for its numerous benefits, let’s share with you some of the icons who have been known to reap its benefits:
✓ Cleopatra, an honoured Egyptian Queen known for her beauty, believed that bathing in Aloe Vera would enhance and prolong her beauty.✓ Alexander the Great embraced the powers of Aloe Vera for soldiers wounded in brutal battlefields
✓ Aristotle actually convinced Alexander the Great to source Aloe Vera for those soldiers!
The benefits of Aloe Vera in skincare and beauty
Modern day skincare and beauty has always and still widely utilises the power of Aloe Vera as it contains polysaccharides which act as a protective barrier to the skin while hydrating and producing anti-inflammatory benefits.
Aloe also contains bioactive compounds in the plant, meaning there is an abundance of beneficial vitamins such as A, V, C, D and E as well as minerals such as magnesium, potassium and zinc.
So how should you be using Aloe Vera in Summer?
If you suffer from dry, irritated or inflamed skin, Aloe Vera will truly become your best friend. Hence why it is known as the summer saviour, the cooling properties are soothing to the skin when exposed for long period of time to the sun.
Is Aloe Vera only for use in Summer?
This magic plant is not just limited to the warmer months. Daily use of products that contain Aloe Vera also produce many skin benefits by keeping the top layer of the skin protected and well moisturised. As a topical method, it is a wonderful treatment for:
1. Fighting skin infections caused by bacteria2. Healing abrasions, burns and ulcers, as it instantly soothes with its medicinal properties
3. Improving the appearance of ageing and damaged skin by promoting new skin-cell growth
4. Balancing the skin’s pH level thereby providing a healthy acid-mantle while keeping the pores clog-free
5. Treating problem skin as the gel provides that protective barrier we mentioned before, keeping moisture locked in, reducing inflammation, assisting in the healing process, and reducing redness
6. Protecting sensitive skin. We highly recommend finding products with Aloe Vera due to its natural and gentle nature!
How to incorporate Aloe Vera into your skin care routine
Aloe Vera is a much-loved ingredient in the skincare and beauty industry, including Origani with some our favourite products also containing a good dose of this magic plants’ gel:
✓ Erda Deep Wrinkle Treatment – a refreshing anti-ageing treatment to visibly reduce the visibility of fine lines induced by aging (helps the skin retain water and maintain maximum hydration)✓ Repertoire for Men, Reviving Eye Gel Concentrate – the combination of Aloe Vera, White Pear and Grape Seed Oil feels smooth and pleasant on the skin, and is effective in reducing puffy eyebags and fading dark circles
✓ Dermassure Clear & Calm Toning Cleanser – combined with Salicylic Acid, Willow Bark and Tea Tree oil, this is the perfect cleanser for calming angry and irritated skin!
We would love to hear from you. Tell us…what are your favourite ways of using Aloe Vera?
Origani is an Australian luxury organic skincare brand. We proudly formulate and produce cruelty-free, certified organic, vegan skincare and makeup.