What? Can I use aloe vera gel as moisturizer?

Hello people! This week, one of Plum's fans asked a very interesting question on Plum's Facebook page: "I tried applying aloe vera gel as moisturizer directly... but it dries my skin. Why?". Sounds strange compared to everything we know about aloe, right? Well, it turns out it's keen observation on her part - and there's a simple, scientific reason why this is happening. The reply would be useful to a lot of you, hence thought of sharing it through this post.

What our fan has experienced (dry feeling after applying pure aloe vera gel) is not as strange as it sounds. Here’s the simple science behind what’s happening:

For skin to feel moisturized, two things have to happen: 

1. The moisture content of skin should be adequate (10-20% is the usual range)
2. Perhaps more importantly, the skin should have the ability to retain that moisture, which is otherwise lost very quickly. That ability to retain moisture can be reduced by factors like dry weather and poor skin health, and improved by factors like having a well-nourished lipid layer, and using substances (see below) that help the skin retain moisture.

We can use aloe vera gel as a moisturizer, but it is important to understand its limitations. Aloe vera gel, as noted in one of our posts earlier, is 98.5% water, and the remaining is (200+) nutrients that help soothe, nourish and moisturize the skin. However, aloe vera gel is moisturizer only in the sense that it provides hydration, but it does not have strong moisture-retention properties. Besides, the gel also has mild astringent properties, which also possibly explains the tight feeling experienced after direct application.

Aloe vera gel or moisturizer, which is better?

The answer lies in combining aloe gel or juice along with substances that help the skin retain its moisture. Ideally, we need emollients (fill the gaps between skin flakes, helping retain lipids and water – for example, coconut fatty acids) and humectants (like glycerine and sorbitol, they bind water). A good moisturizing system uses a combination of these ingredients to keep skin happy.

So, can aloe vera used as a moisturizer? 

The answer is that it is not a perfect standalone moisturizer. It’s a great soothing and calming additive to a moisturizing system. At the risk of self-promotion, this is exactly the philosophy behind the Hello Aloe Caring Day Moisturizer – read the ingredient list and you’ll understand!

You can get a lot more information on moisturizers & humectants in our earlier blog post on humectants.

Thanks to our fan again for asking a great question, and we do hope you find our answer useful. Do let us know what you think! 

FAQs

1. Can I use aloe vera gel as a moisturizer daily?

Yes, aloe vera gel can be used as a moisturizer daily, but it works best when combined with an emollient to help retain moisture.

2. Aloe vera gel or moisturizer – which is better for dry skin?

While aloe vera gel hydrates the skin, a moisturizer with emollients and humectants is better for dry skin as it locks in moisture.

3. Is aloe vera gel a moisturizer or not?

Aloe vera gel provides hydration but lacks strong moisture retention properties, so it is not a complete moisturizer on its own.

4. Can aloe vera be used as a moisturizer for oily skin?

Yes, aloe vera gel is lightweight and non-greasy, making it a great option for oily skin, especially when used with a mild moisturizer.