Cleopatra used it to care for her skin. Egyptian doctors prescribed it more than 3,500 years ago. Spanish sailors carried it on ships as an emergency remedy. Today you can find it in your moisturiser, in your shower gel and in the serum on your bedside table. Few plants have such a long history and a presence as current as aloe vera.
But beyond fame, do you really know what it is, what it contains and why it works? In this post we tell you all about it, from the botany to the formats in which you can find it.
What exactly is aloe vera?
Aloe vera, the scientific name of which is Aloe barbadensis Miller, is a perennial succulent plant of the Asphodelaceae family. It is not the only species of aloe that exists., There are more than five hundred, but it is the best known and most cultivated for its exceptional gel production.
You will also know it by other names: aloe vera, acíbar or desert lily are the most common in Spanish. Its probable origin is in the Arabian Peninsula, although today it grows in the wild or in the cultivated in virtually all arid, semi-tropical and tropical climates of the world..
Physically, it is easy to recognise: fleshy, triangular leaves arranged in a rosette, with serrated edges and a characteristic greyish-green colour. They can reach 40-50 cm in length on adult plants. And inside those leaves is where the magic happens.Each is made up of three distinct layers:
- The outer bark, which protects the plant.
- The latex layer, a bitter yellow sap with laxative properties.
- The inner, transparent gel, 99% water-based, is where most of the active ingredients are concentrated.
It is this gel that has made aloe vera one of the most widely used ingredients in cosmetics and the food industry.
What does it contain? Its active ingredients
The real interest of aloe vera is not in the water that makes it up, but in the remaining 1% of the gel, where a combination of active substances is concentrated that few other plants can match:
- Vitamins: A, C, E and several B vitamins, including B12, which is rare in the plant kingdom.
- Minerals: calcium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, copper and potassium, among others.
- Amino acids: contains 20 out of 22 amino acids needed by the human body, including 7 of the 8 essential ones.
- Enzymes: these include lignin, which allows the gel to penetrate the skin up to three times deeper than water, reaching the innermost layers of the tissue.
- Acemannan: the most important polysaccharide in aloe, responsible for a large part of aloe's anti-inflammatory properties, healing and immunostimulants.
- Fatty acids: with antiseptic and analgesic properties.
This composition explains why aloe vera is not just a trendy ingredient: it is a plant with a genuinely rich biochemistry and decades of research behind it.
What is it used for? Main uses
In cosmetics and topical use
Direct application to the skin is by far the most widespread use of aloe vera. Its moisturising, soothing and regenerating properties make it particularly useful in a number of situations:
- Sunburn and sun exposure: soothes irritation, provides freshness and promotes skin recovery. It is the most popular use and one of the best documented. If you want to know if it is better than a conventional after sun, we explain it in detail at this post on after sun or aloe vera.
- Healing: thanks to the enzyme lignin and acemannan, it promotes tissue regeneration and accelerates the closure of minor wounds.
- Acne and oily skin: its astringent and antibacterial properties help to clean pores and reduce inflammation.
- Stretch marks: helps to restore the skin's collagen, making it a useful ally in both prevention and treatment.
- Muscle massages: the texture of the gel and its anti-inflammatory properties make it very effective in relieving muscle tension and the feeling of heaviness in the legs.
To find out more about all the benefits of aloe vera on the skin, we recommend this article: Benefits of aloe vera for the skin: a complete guide.
In food and internal use
Aloe vera juice or drink is also very popular, although in this case it is useful to be more precise. The component used internally is the gel, not the latex (which contains aloin, with strong laxative and potentially irritant effects if consumed in excess).
Aloe vera juice is mainly used as a digestive, to support intestinal transit and as a cleansing. It is also said to have beneficial effects on the immune system due to its acemannan content.
It is important to note, however, that not suitable for children under 12 years, pregnant women and people with chronic intestinal disorders., and that internal use should always be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
In what formats can you find it?
Depending on the intended use, aloe vera comes in many different forms. These are the main ones:
Pure gel: the most direct and closest to the plant's natural gel. Ideal for immediate use on the skin: burns, irritations, after shaving or depilation. Preserves the properties of aloe in a concentrated form.
Cream or lotion: is the most common format in cosmetics. The texture is silkier and absorbs quickly, without leaving a sticky sensation. Widely used in facial and body moisturising, massages and anti-ageing treatments. Suitable for all skin types.
Serum: Highly concentrated formulation, usually combined with other active ingredients such as vitamins or hyaluronic acid. It penetrates into deeper layers of the skin and is especially effective in treating blemishes, lack of radiance or signs of ageing.
Juice or drink: aloe in liquid form for internal consumption. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste and is usually marketed as juice or «aloe water». Its most frequent use is as a digestive and depurative.
Not sure which one is right for you? In this post we compare in detail the different formats to help you choose: Aloe vera gel, cream or soap: which is best for your skin?
Aloe vera from the Canary Islands
Aloe vera grows today all over the world: North Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Asia, Latin America... But not all cultivars are the same.
The quality and concentration of the active ingredients in aloe depends to a large extent on the conditions in which it grows. And this is where the Canary Islands make the difference.
The Canary archipelago brings together a rare combination of factors: mineral-rich volcanic soils, more than 300 days of sunshine per year, a mild and stable average temperature, and a controlled humidity which does not subject the plant to the extreme water stress of deserts, but does force it to develop protective mechanisms that enrich its gel. The result is an aloe with a higher concentration of acemannan and vitamins compared to crops grown in more temperate zones.
It is no coincidence that the Canary Islands are one of the areas with the longest tradition of aloe vera cultivation in Europe.
At Sam Parfums we make our line of aloe vera products with raw material grown on the islands, taking advantage of these unique conditions. If you want to know more about what makes Canary Island aloe special, we will soon publish a post dedicated exclusively to this topic.
In a nutshell
Aloe vera is much more than a fashionable plant. It is a species with thousands of years of history, an exceptionally rich biochemical composition and a versatility of use that few plants match. Whether you use it to moisturise your skin, soothe a sunburn or incorporate it into your facial routine, the important thing is to know what's in it and choose the right format for your needs.
And if you are lucky enough to have aloe grown in the Canary Islands, even better.
Discover our collection of Sam Parfums aloe vera products. ¡and make the most of aloe vera!