Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin

An ancient hydrating-hero, a soothing succulent or a fun spiky cactus-esque plant from the tropics. What is aloe vera? It’s all of these things and possibly more. With 95% water content in dense gel-filled leaves, this botanical legend has accumulated saint-like status in medicinal and beauty circles over (literally) thousands of years.

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ALOE VERA PLANT

WHAT IS ALOE VERA?

It’s a plant known as a succulent. A bit of geeky botanical knowledge for us nature lovers – the word succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning juice or sap. So, a total softie on the inside, this spiky leafed three-footer is actually one of the world’s kindest plants. Grown around the world in dry tropical places like Africa, Asia and America, it’s packed with 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids and 200 phytonutrients (AKA the good stuff plants produce), all stored in its silky translucent gel. It’s no wonder smart women like Cleopatra and Jennifer Aniston have clocked aloe’s impressive skin care capabilities.

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HAND RUBBING BODY BUTTER INTO KNEE

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA?

As much as we sometimes think we need to develop a tough exterior for the modern world, that’s not true. Inner steel – yes, but being soft and kind is an absolute must too. And sensitive skin requires special TLC – aloe vera gel couldn’t be better suited to the job. Aloe’s translucent gel is known to hydrate and help soothe sensitive skin. It prevents TEWL too. That’s trans-epidermal water loss, or to us mere mortals – preventing dehydration by forming a protective barrier, which is great for skin that’s feeling dried out by the sun. And all those vitamins and minerals mean this botanical first-aider can help skin spring back to life more quickly too.

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ALOE VERA PLANTS

WHERE DOES ALOE VERA COME FROM?

We take as much care of ourselves as it does us. Hola Mexico! Yep, grab your sombrero and journey with us to one of the most beautiful habitats on earth – Campeche in the Yucatan Peninsula, where gentle whale sharks and giant turtles rule the waves. This special corner of the earth has been identified by UNESCO as having an ecosystem of scientific and natural interest. Our Community Fair Trade aloe is grown on organically certified land near three of these precious biosphere reserves. Our expert indiginous farmers, often female, handpick aloe and fillet the leaves within six hours of picking to ensure the freshness and quality of our aloe gel.

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THE BODY SHOP ALOE PRODUCTS IN BATHROOM

SAY HOLA TO OUR ALOE RANGE

We know as much as you’d love to cultivate your own aloe vera farm, you have places to be and people to see. The world won’t save itself, right? That’s why we’ve captured all of aloe’s natural goodness in several saintly guises in our soothing Aloe range, friend to all skin types, especially sensitive or dry. Meet the morning team – Aloe Calming Foaming Wash, Aloe Calming Toner and Aloe Soothing Day Cream – fresh, light and breezy – an inspiration for our daily attitude goals, huh! And our bedtime buddy, Aloe Soothing Night Cream, is formulated to help gently hydrate and soothe sensitive skin through the night.

A CALMING SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

We hear lots about healthy daily routines, but how on earth does it apply to an aloe vera skin care routine? Well, healthy routines take the stress out of life, because a good habit issomething we simply don’t have to think about, yet it’s doing us good. Bravo! Sensitive skin really likes a routine because it can react more to the unpredictability of the environment and even our emotions. Think of your aloe for sensitive skin routine as a mini daily-massage, the soft stroking action with gentle aloe could help you and your skin feel a whole lot more zen.

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THE BODY SHOP ALOE CALMING CLEANER

STEP 1: Gently remove makeup

No, don’t skip this step and head straight for the pillow! Especially not with sensitive skin, as makeup can and will clog pores and irritate skin. Aloe Calming Cream Cleanser takes the bore out of this chore – pop on a cotton pad and it will help to melt away impurities. Or if a good lather is more your thing, Aloe Calming Face Wash is the one. Make sure you rinse both well with a splash or two of water.

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THE BODY SHOP CALMING TONER

STEP 2: Brighten up with a caress of toner

Toner too, really? We know! But the thing is, and as shocking as this may sound, we shed 600,000 particles of skin every day. That means we need to remove dulling dead skin cells as well as makeup. And we all want to shine bright, right? So get in the habit of a post-cleansing refreshing swipe of Aloe Calming Toner on a cotton pad, to help new skin cells get centre stage.

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THE BODY SHOP ALOE SOOTHING NIGHT CREAM

STEP 3: Tenderly moisturise

All brave come-rain-or-shine faces need the right moisturiser as the grand finale to any skin care routine. The skin on our faces being the thinnest on our body, and sensitive skin needing that extra level of soothing and protecting – our aloe moisturising team are the best in the business. Try our early bird, Aloe Soothing Day Cream for a hydrating partner that will help to restore moisture and protect your face from environmental ruffians all day long. And when bedtime beckons, sensitive skin will breathe a sigh of relief for the velvety texture of our Aloe Soothing Night Cream. Ahh, off to the land of nod we go.

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THE BODY SHOP ALOE SOOTHING BODY BUTTER

GENTLE SKINCARE AND BODY CARE TIPS

Our Aloe Multi-Use Soothing Gel is especially equipped to work with sun worshippers when your tan needs a helping heap of cooling hydration. It’s a smooth and lightweight gel number that will quietly get to work as a mask on your body or face all night – apply in ample amounts. Bliss.

Dry and sensitive body parts can also be heard begging for an easily absorbed cooling dollop of our Aloe Soothing Body Butter. Smear it on, especially over dry patches and feel your body smirk like the cat who’s got the cream.

If sensitive skin is getting your goat, we’ve put some thought into how we can help you can understand what your skin is saying and how to calm it down – in its own language. We’ll point you to all the right products whatever your face and body is telling you.

ALOE PRODUCTS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

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THE BODY SHOP ALOE CALMING FOAMING WASH

Aloe Calming Foaming Wash

And breathe. Aloe Calming Foaming Wash will bring an air of serenity to your daily skincare routine. Lightly foaming and gentle, it calms as it cleans, leaving sensitive skin feeling refreshed and somewhat hushed.

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THE BODY SHOP ALOE SOOTHING DAY CREAM

Aloe Soothing Day Cream

No stimulating the senses here, just total calm. Our Aloe Soothing Day Cream is the chilled way to start each day, carefully tending to every skin cell, giving sensitive areas special attention when needed. Pop Aloe Vera Moisturiser on after cleansing and wait a few mins as it sinks in and helps to soothe.

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THE BODY SHOP ALOE SOOTHING BODY BUTTER

Aloe Soothing Body Butter

Hooray for Aloe Soothing Butter! This hard-working gentle soul just gives and gives. Aloe goodness from our sustainable farms in Mexico smothers (in a good way) your body with aloe vera cream, helping even the most fatigued skin feel deeply nourished and silkily smooth.

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Woman squeezing Aloe soothing gel into her hands

Aloe Multi-Use Soothing Gel

And for the complete all rounder, head to our Aloe Multi-Use Soothing Gel. Not phased by dry itchy skin or skin that’s overdone it in the heat, this slick aloe vera gel is a botanical powerhouse – makes your agitated skin feel hydrated, calmed and soothed. It even forms a protective layer to prevent further loss of hydration and can be left on all night as a face or body mask. What a relief!

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