Summer is often synonymous with heat, UV rays from the sun, bathing in salt and chlorinated water, etc. All these factors dry out the skin and can even cause irritation. Aloe vera moisturizes, soothes the skin and protects the hair during the summer months.
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Aloe vera – Your Ally During the Summer.
Summary
- 1. Aloe vera as a Moisturizer for the Skin
- 2. Aloe vera To Relieve Sunburn
- 3. Aloe vera To “Hydrate” and Strengthen the Hair
- 4. Aloe vera To Soothe Insect Bites
- Sources
Published March 12, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
Topics:
1. Aloe vera as a Moisturizer for the Skin
Aloe vera gel is obtained by mechanically pressing the leaves of aloe vera or aloe barbadensis. It is rich in polysaccharides, vitamins, trace elements, enzymes and amino acids. In summer, the sun is usually omnipresent. Even though it is nice to enjoy it, constant exposure to the sun can dry out skin and hair.
When applied to the skin, the juice of aloe vera, due to its composition of hydrophilic components, captures and holds water molecules, ensuring that the top layers of the skin are moisturized. The barrier function of the stratum corneum and its composition of non-viable cells rich in proteins and intracellular lipid domains prevent the gel of aloe vera from entering deep. Thus, it forms a film on the surface of the skin, limiting the evaporation of water. To moisturize your skin after sunbathing, you can use pure gel from aloe vera or a care product that contains aloe vera, such as our moisturizing gel.
2. Aloe vera To Relieve Sunburn
Sunburn is also known as erythema solare and is a first-degree burn caused by excessive contact with the sun's UVB rays. They cause redness, pain and even itching. In the worst cases, blisters can even develop. According to a 2012 study, the biological process involved in sunburn is an inflammatory one. The sun's UVB rays damage microRNAs, which, once released into the extracellular medium, stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. A chain reaction then leads to sunburn on the skin surface.
When applied to the skin, directly on the sunburn, the gel of aloe vera provides a pleasant coolness that relieves the pain and itching of the burn. It also exerts a soothing and repairing action by inhibiting certain inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin F2, through the degradation pathway of arachidonic acid by acting on cyclooxygenase. In this way, it limits inflammation and pain.
3. Aloe vera To “Hydrate” and Strengthen the Hair
When applied to the hair, the gel of aloe vera retains water molecules, limiting their natural evaporation. This is because the polysaccharides it contains (mannose-6-phosphate, aloeverose, acemannan) have hydroxyl groups (-OH) that create a hydrophilic environment.
Similarly, it also acts by forming a protective film on the surface of the hair fibers to maintain moisture levels and combat dryness. Aloe vera gel can be used as a mask to moisturize the hair fibers and/or cleanse the scalp.
Apply as needed to dry hair from roots to ends and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing with plenty of water. Aloe vera gel is also an ingredient in many shampoos and conditioners, usually under the I.N.C.I. name "Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice".
4. Aloe vera To Soothe Insect Bites
Aloe vera juice contains several antiseptic agents, including lupeol and cinnamic acid. These compounds help soothe mosquito bites and stop itching.
Sources
CAMPOS M. & al. Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques. Skin Research and Technology (2006).
HAMMAN J. H. Composition and applications of Aloe vera leaf gel. Molecules (2008).
MUKTAR H. & al. MicroRNAs in skin response to UV radiation. Current Drug Targets (2013).
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