Aloe Vera Gel Overview

Aloe vera gel is the clear, jelly-like substance found in the inner part of the aloe vera plant leaf. Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has been used for centuries for its medicinal and healing properties. The gel is extracted by cutting the leaf and scooping out the gel inside.

Aloe vera has a long history of use dating back to ancient Egypt, where it was called the “plant of immortality” and was known as a treatment for wounds, burns, and skin conditions. It has been used in traditional medicine in many cultures throughout history.

Benefits for Your Beard

Aloe vera gel can provide several benefits to keep your beard healthy, moisturised and looking its best:

– Moisturising: Aloe vera is an excellent natural moisturiser. It can help hydrate and soften beard hair, relieving dryness, brittleness and itchiness.

– Soothing: Aloe contains anti-inflammatory and cooling properties that can soothe irritated skin under your beard, such as after shaving.

– Strengthening: The vitamins and minerals in aloe vera, like vitamins A, C, E, zinc and amino acids, may help strengthen beard hair and promote healthy growth.

– Styling: Aloe vera gel can serve as a natural styling agent to tame frizz and flyaways and add shine to your beard.

Skin Benefits

In addition to nourishing your beard, aloe vera gel also provides benefits for the skin underneath:

– Hydrating: Aloe is very hydrating and can help moisturise the skin under your beard without clogging pores. It may be especially beneficial for those with dry skin types.

– Calming: The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe can calm and soothe irritation, redness, itching and flaking on the skin under your beard.

– Healing: Aloe vera has wound healing abilities and may help minor nicks, cuts or razor burn heal faster when applied topically.

Conclusion

In summary, aloe vera gel is a versatile natural ingredient that can help keep your beard soft, hydrated, and healthy while also soothing and nourishing the skin underneath. Its use dates back thousands of years, attesting to its long-standing reputation as a medicinal plant.

Full list of ingredients: Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Decylene Glycol

Aqua

Water, also known as aqua, is the most common ingredient in skincare and beard care products. It is primarily used as a solvent to dissolve ingredients that do not mix well with oils. In cosmetics, purified and deionized water is used to ensure product stability over time.

When applied to the skin, water hydrates from within. However, using pure water on the skin for extended periods, such as during long baths, can be drying. In beard care products, water serves as a base to deliver other beneficial ingredients to the hair and skin underneath.

Water is typically listed as the first ingredient on product labels, indicating that it makes up the largest portion of the formula. Its presence helps to create a lightweight, easily-absorbed product that can cleanse, hydrate, and nourish the beard and skin.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, also known as Aloe Vera, is a popular ingredient due to its moisturising and soothing properties. It is derived from the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant.

Carbomer

Carbomer is a synthetic ingredient commonly used in cosmetic products. It is derived from acrylic acid and forms a gel-like texture when mixed with water.

Key benefits of carbomer:

1. Thickening: Carbomer helps create a smooth, gel-like consistency, making products easier to apply and spread.

2. Emulsion stabilising: It helps keep oils and other ingredients well-mixed, preventing separation in the product.

3. Non-greasy feel: Carbomer-based products feel light and non-sticky.

4. Low irritation potential: Carbomer is generally considered non-irritating and non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores).

Benzyl Alcohol

Benzyl alcohol is a preservative commonly used in cosmetic products, including beard care items, to help prevent the growth of bacteria and extend the product’s shelf life. It can be naturally derived from fruits and teas or made synthetically.

Benzyl alcohol is considered a gentle and safe preservative. However, it is often combined with other preservatives like potassium sorbate to provide broad-spectrum protection against microbial growth.

In summary, benzyl alcohol is a useful preservative that helps maintain their quality and safety when used in appropriate amounts.

Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a widely used preservative in cosmetic products. It has been safely used since the 1950s and is effective at preventing microbial growth, which helps extend the shelf life of products.

This ingredient is found naturally in green tea, but the phenoxyethanol used in cosmetics is synthetically made. It is gentle on the skin and can be used in a variety of formulations due to its stability at different temperatures and pH levels.

It is considered a safe alternative to parabens, which have been controversial despite limited scientific evidence of harm.

In summary, phenoxyethanol is a reliable, safe, and versatile preservative that helps maintain the quality and safety of cosmetic products.

Caprylyl Glycol

Caprylyl glycol is a versatile ingredient commonly used in skincare and cosmetic products. It serves multiple functions:

1. Moisturiser/Humectant: Caprylyl glycol helps keep the skin hydrated by attracting and retaining moisture.

2. Emollient: It gives the skin a soft, smooth feel.

3. Preservative Booster: Caprylyl glycol enhances the effectiveness of other preservatives like phenoxyethanol, helping to keep products free from microbial growth. The combination of caprylyl glycol and phenoxyethanol is known as Optiphen.

4. Deodorant: It can help control odor.

Caprylyl glycol is considered a safe and well-tolerated ingredient. It is derived from caprylic acid, which can be obtained from plant oils like coconut oil or palm kernel oil.

In summary, caprylyl glycol is a beneficial addition to beard care products, providing moisturising, skin-softening, and preservative-boosting properties while being gentle on the skin.

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is a highly alkaline ingredient used in small amounts in various cosmetic and personal care products. Its main function is to adjust and maintain the pH balance of a product, ensuring it stays within the desired range for effectiveness and stability.

Citric Acid

Citric acid is a naturally occurring ingredient derived from citrus fruits. As a cosmetic ingredient it’s is often used in small amounts to adjust the pH level of a product, ensuring it is suitable for the skin.

Potassium Sorbate

Potassium sorbate is a preservative commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. It helps prevent the growth of mold and yeast, extending the shelf life of products.

Potassium sorbate works by breaking down into its active form, sorbic acid, in the presence of water and the right pH level (between 3-4). However, it is not effective against bacteria and is often used in combination with other preservatives for comprehensive protection.

This ingredient is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and is even used as a food preservative with the E number E202.

Decylene Glycol

Decylene glycol is a synthetic ingredient used in cosmetic products to improve the look and feel of skin and hair. Here are some key points about decylene glycol:

– It acts as a skin conditioning agent, helping to soften and smooth the skin. This can make beard hair feel softer and more manageable.

– Decylene glycol has antimicrobial properties, so it may help control bacteria that can lead to skin issues like acne or odor. This is beneficial for keeping the skin under the beard healthy.

– It enhances the penetration and spreadability of other ingredients in a product, allowing beneficial ingredients to be absorbed more effectively. This improves the overall performance of beard care products.

– Decylene glycol is considered safe for use in cosmetics when used as directed. It has a low hazard rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).