Ingredients

Aloe Vera

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Aloe Vera — a succulent plant whose inner-leaf gel is used in skincare for its soothing, hydrating, and cooling properties. It is largely water and contains polysaccharides and other compounds that help skin feel calm, refreshed, and lightly moisturized.

Key points

  • Its gel is mostly water, providing lightweight hydration and a cooling, refreshing feel.
  • It is widely used to soothe the appearance of irritated, dry, or sun-exposed skin.
  • It contains polysaccharides, vitamins, and other plant compounds that contribute to its conditioning effects.
  • It is a common ingredient in after-sun gels, moisturizers, masks, and products for sensitive skin.

Frequently asked

Is aloe vera enough to moisturize dry skin on its own?

Aloe provides light, water-based hydration, but very dry skin usually benefits from pairing it with emollients or occlusives that help seal in moisture.

Can aloe vera help after sun exposure?

Aloe is popular in after-sun products for its cooling, soothing feel, though it is a comfort measure and not a treatment for sunburn.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Aloe: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia MedlinePlus Clinical guidance medlineplus.gov
  2. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Aloe vera-Based Hydrogels for Wound Healing: Properties and Therapeutic Effects PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Aloe vera: A Medicinal Plant Used in Skin Wound Healing PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.