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Aloe vera – a skincare remedy straight from Mother Nature
The gel-like component of the aloe vera plant is known to help with a variety of skin issues like sunburn, small cuts and abrasions. The name derives from the Arabic word ‘alloeh’ - meaning shining bitter substance – and the Latin word ‘vera’ – meaning true. References to the use of aloe vera can be found in Chinese and Sumerian writings dating back to 3000BC.
Around 2,000 years ago, Greek scientists regarded aloe vera as the universal panacea, while the Egyptians called it “the plant of immortality”. Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes, while Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldiers’ wounds. The first reference in English was a translation by John Goodyew in 1655 of De Materia Medica by Dioscorides.
There are around 140 varieties of aloe vera; the one most often used for skincare remedies is called aloe barbadensis Miller. In conventional medicine, aloe vera is used as a topical gel made from the viscous, colourless substance inside the plant’s leaves. It’s possible to use the leaves directly by breaking them apart and pressing out the gel. However, it’s much easier to use formulations that already contain aloe vera combined with other skin-soothing ingredients.
Active constituents help slow down the ageing process
Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents including vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids. It not only moisturises, soothes and hydrates the skin, it supports the production and release of collagen and has an anti-oxidant effect that helps repair sun damage and slow down the aging process by making skin soft and supple.
Skin products which contain aloe vera are good for oily skin, since it absorbs easily, however, aloe vera can also help treat dry skin by helping to seal in moisture. The moisturising effects alleviate the dry, itchy skin associated with eczema and seborrheic dermatitis, a form of eczema which is most often found in the scalp but can also affect parts of your face and behind the ears. Aloe vera also helps to alleviate inflammation and itchiness from psoriasis.
As a natural anti-bacterial substance, aloe vera is useful as an anti-inflammatory and can be directly applied to the skin to kill acne-causing bacteria. Most people tolerate aloe vera very well, but if you were to use pure gel on your skin you might experience itching or slight burning. A rash or hives would indicate that you could have a sensitivity to the gel and should stop using it immediately. You should not use it on infected skin.
Elave formulations with aloe vera to soothe, moisturise and protect
Elave Hydrating Cream Cleanser 200ml is a unique combination of hydrating emollients and skin cleansers to remove make-up and impurities. This aloe vera and vitamin B5 & E enriched formula soothes the skin preventing moisture loss and irritation, while natural glycerin cleanses and hydrates. Recommended for normal, dry, sensitive and combination skin.
Elave Daily Lip Defence SPF20 15ml and Elave Eye Rescue Serum 15ml both contain aloe vera with antioxidant vitamins and amino acids to fight free radicals and help moisturise, brighten and tone to produce firmer, hydrated skin. The anti-inflammatory emollient and antimicrobial actions make it especially useful for preventing sunburn damage.
After exposure to the sun, soothe and recondition dehydrated skin with Elave Botanical Aftersun 250ml with aloe vera and cooling menthol. Extremely gentle and easily absorbed, it is a light, non-greasy formula containing lots of nourishing ingredients, including antioxidant vitamin E and natural glycerin, to repair and recondition all skin types.
Elave Sensitive Baby Bath 400ml is a clinically tested extremely gentle cleanser enriched with ECOCERT certified organic camomile and organic aloe vera to protect and hydrate your baby’s delicate skin. Paediatrician approved as suitable from newborn, it is also vegan and PETA cruelty-free.
Elave Shave Balm 100ml is easily absorbed and perfect for all skin types. Soothing aloe vera and cooling menthol reduce skin irritation and redness, while anti-oxidant vitamin E and natural glycerin repair, hydrate and recondition sensitive skin.
