Which ingredients should be combined with aloe vera gel?

Combining aloe vera gel with hyaluronic acid may seem particularly relevant, since both ingredients share a similar ability to promote skin hydration, while acting through complementary mechanisms. Aloe vera provides film-forming polysaccharides capable of limiting water loss and soothing the skin, whereas the hyaluronic acid, naturally present in the dermis, has a strong hygroscopic capacity that allows it to capture and retain water in the tissues. Their combination could thus support skin hydration, but also help reinforce the skin barrier, especially in contexts of irritation.

A study specifically examined a biopolymeric gel based on agar-agar and gelatin, enriched with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, to evaluate its potential for burn and wound healing. The analyses in vitro and in vivo showed that this formulation exhibited hydrating, antibacterial, and pro-angiogenic properties. The gel’s porous structure enabled rapid release of both active compounds, and they displayed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the chorioallantoic membrane assay revealed a marked increase in neovascularization in the presence of the aloe vera–hyaluronic acid mixture, with approximately 12 ± 2 vascular branches compared to 6 ± 1 without aloe vera.

These results suggest that the combined use of hyaluronic acid and aloe vera may enhance tissue repair mechanisms, although human clinical studies are still needed to confirm this.

Combining aloe vera with vitamin C can also be beneficial, as these two active ingredients work at complementary levels in skin protection, hydration, and repair. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals generated during metabolism and from environmental stressors, and of supporting collagen synthesis. Recall that collagen is a molecule found in the dermal extracellular matrix that helps maintain the skin structure. Meanwhile, aloe vera helps create a favorable environment for tissue repair and for maintaining skin hydration.

An experimental study evaluated polyvinyl alcohol membranes enriched with aloe vera extract and loaded with vitamin C in order to analyze their effect on wound healing in rats. The results in vitro showed an improvement in protein adsorption and platelet aggregation, two phenomena involved in tissue repair. In vivo, the skin wounds treated with the membranes containing aloe vera and vitamin C exhibited a more pronounced reduction in their surface area than those treated with a standard dressing or with membranes lacking vitamin C. The combination with caffeine even led to a greater closure, accompanied by hair regrowth in the healed region, while histological analysis confirmed an effective re-epithelialization.

These results suggest that the aloe vera–vitamin C combination (and potentially caffeine) may support skin regeneration, although human clinical trials are still necessary.

The vitamin E is one of the most widely used actives in cosmetics, whether to protect the formulation from oxidation or to strengthen the skin’s antioxidant defenses. Indeed, vitamin E is a major liposoluble antioxidant in biological membranes: it limits lipid peroxidation induced by the oxidative stress and thus contributes to preserving the integrity of skin cells. At the same time, aloe vera promotes an environment conducive to skin regeneration. Their combination could therefore more effectively support repair mechanisms by addressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue reconstruction.

An experimental study conducted in rabbits compared the effect of aloe vera extract, of vitamin E and their combination on the healing of deep skin wounds. After 14 days of daily application, wound closure was more effective in the group receiving the aloe vera + vitamin E combination than in those receiving aloe vera or vitamin E alone.

Furthermore, in the "aloe vera and vitamin E" group, histological analysis showed a nearly complete re-epithelialization, dense granulation tissue, and increased collagen deposition, while biochemical markers revealed higher hydroxyproline levels (≈ 6.0 mg/g of tissue) as well as enhanced antioxidant activity. These results suggest a synergistic effect between aloe vera and vitamin E in accelerating skin repair, although clinical studies in humans are still needed.

The glycerin, or glycerol, is a widely used humectant in cosmetics thanks to its ability to attract and hold water in the stratum corneum. With its multiple hydroxyl groups, it forms bonds with water molecules, thereby helping to maintain optimal skin hydration while improving skin suppleness and barrier function. Combining it with aloe vera gel therefore seems relevant: glycerin acts as a surface water reservoir, whereas the polysaccharide-rich environment of aloe vera promotes the retention of that water and enhances skin comfort. Both aloe vera and glycerin help hydrate the skin, but in different, complementary ways.

Thus, the combination of aloe vera and glycerin is very frequently found in moisturizing cosmetic products, particularly in creams, whether intended for the face or the body.

Widely used in cosmetics, especially in natural formulations, plant oils supply lipids to the skin and are highly valued for strengthening the hydrolipidic film. Oils such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil or even argan oil are rich in fatty acids and antioxidant compounds that support skin suppleness and protection. When combined with aloe vera, their nourishing effect is particularly suitable for dry to very dry skin.

A randomized clinical trial involving 240 hospitalized patients specifically evaluated the benefits of aloe vera, olive oil, and their combination in preventing pressure ulcers—chronic wounds that develop during prolonged sitting or lying. After 30 days of daily topical application, the results show that olive oil, and especially its combination with aloe vera, had a preventive effect on pressure ulcer formation. This suggests a synergy between these two plant extracts, even though these data come from a specific hospital setting.

The combination of aloe vera and salicylic acid is particularly beneficial for skin prone to imperfections.

The salicylic acid is a keratolytic beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) capable of exfoliating the stratum corneum, unclogging pores, and limiting excess sebum, thereby improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of blemishes. Aloe vera complements its action by providing hydrating and soothing properties while also contributing to the modulation of cutaneous inflammation. This complementary action can produce an effective yet gentle purifying action, preserving skin comfort often compromised by exfoliating actives used alone.

A comparative study evaluated the antibacterial effect of topical formulations containing 5% salicylic acid alone or combined with 20% aloe vera, in cream or gel forms. Antibacterial activity, measured by inhibition zone diameters (0.4 to 2.5 cm depending on the strains), showed that the addition of aloe vera enhanced the overall efficacy of salicylic acid. Gel formulations furthermore offered a broader and more consistent spectrum of activity than creams, acting against several bacteria involved in skin imperfections, including Cutibacterium acnes.

These findings suggest that aloe vera may serve as a promising adjunct in anti-imperfection skincare.

The combination with glycolic acid is another interesting option for skin prone to imperfections.

As a reminder, the glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that promotes stratum corneum exfoliation, stimulates cell turnover, and helps reduce acne lesions as well as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Aloe vera complements this by supporting skin hydration, modulating inflammatory responses, and aiding epidermal repair processes, which can help improve the overall tolerability of formulations containing glycolic acid, an active ingredient known for its potentially irritating side effects.

A retrospective study conducted across 193 centers evaluated the clinical impact and tolerability of a facial cleanser combining glycolic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E in 619 individuals with acne, used alongside standard dermatological treatments (clindamycin, tretinoin, adapalene, or benzoyl peroxide). Applied twice daily for four weeks, this cleanser allowed a significant improvement in patients’ skin condition.

However, it should be noted that this treatment was used as an adjunct to a dermatological treatment. The good results obtained therefore cannot be attributed to it alone. That said, this study suggests that using a cleanser combining aloe vera and glycolic acid may serve as an interesting adjunct to anti-acne care, helping to simultaneously improve lesions and the pigmentary marks they leave behind.

Note : More generally, aloe vera appears capable of playing a role similar to that of other chemical exfoliants, such as mandelic acid or gluconolactone, a PHA, helping to preserve skin comfort during exfoliation.

Retinol belongs to the family of retinoids, vitamin A derivatives widely used in dermatology for their keratolytic, comedolytic, and cell‐renewal–stimulating effects. By promoting the removal of dead cells, regulating keratinocyte differentiation, and limiting follicular obstruction, retinoids have become a reference in acne management. However, their use can be accompanied by side effects such as irritation, redness, or peeling. Combining retinoids with aloe vera helps mitigate these effects. Indeed, the moisturizing and anti‐inflammatory properties of this botanical extract complement the action of retinol while improving its skin tolerance.

A randomized, double‐blind, prospective trial conducted over eight weeks in 60 individuals with mild to moderate acne compared the efficacy and tolerability of a combination tretinoin 0.05% and 50% aloe vera gel versus tretinoin alone. The results show that the tretinoin/aloe vera combination provides a significantly greater reduction in noninflammatory lesions and total lesion count compared with the tretinoin‐only group. Moreover, although peeling remains the most frequent adverse effect, the intensity of erythema at the end of the study is significantly lower in the combination group, indicating a better skin tolerability.

These data suggest that aloe vera could be a promising adjunct to topical retinoids, enhancing their clinical efficacy while mitigating their irritating effects.

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