July 25, 2022
A gift from nature: skin care with aloe vera
by Mara Hageneier
Aloe Vera, Aloe Vera, Aloe Vera! Hardly any other plant is mentioned as often as the grass tree. The healing powers of Aloe Vera were used over 6000 years ago. And since then it has held the title of “queen of medicinal plants”.
Almost everyone knows the plant now and it is not only the most well-known medicinal plant in the world, but also the one with the best marketing. It is said to have countless benefits, so it is almost impossible to keep track. But does it really live up to the hype? How do its leaves work and what does aloe vera do for your skin health? So let's dive into the aloe vera jungle and discover what it contains.
- What does an aloe vera look like inside
- Aloe Vera and its ingredients
- Aloe Vera for sunburn and irritated skin
- Aloe Vera for hair
- Aloin - The plant defends itself
- Aloe Vera - Healing power from Spain
1. What does an aloe look like inside?
Aloe juice, aloe powder, aloe gel - what is what? To clarify this, we should take a closer look at the plant from the inside. The aloe vera leaf consists of three layers. The leaf bark or shell contains the well-known aloe gel. The leaf is also protected by a thorny outer leaf edge. Both are separated during processing. The aloe vera juice is located between the leaf bark and the transparent gel. The leaf pulp or aloe fillet is the piece that is used for further processing in most cases. It consists of 90% water. The remaining 10% is the source of the valuable nutrients. I have listed exactly what these are for you.
2. Aloe Vera and its ingredients
Amino acids – the pearls for our metabolism
Aloe Vera contains 7 of 8 essential amino acids and is therefore a valuable source for maintaining our metabolism.
Secondary plant substances – anthraquinone & co.
The secondary plant substances give the plant its individual smell, taste and color. They protect the aloe from potential enemies. The anthraquinone group is only present in small quantities, but sufficient to have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
Enzymes – the powerhouses of our metabolism
The enzymes in aloe vera are said to help digest sugar, proteins and fats better. Some have an antioxidant effect and free the body from free radicals.
Small but mighty – minerals for a strong body
Sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc – the list of minerals is long and the exact number of substances vital to humans cannot yet be determined. However, many of them perform extremely important functions in the body. They build bones, teeth, hormones and blood cells, maintain tissue tension, transmit stimuli and activate enzymes.
Vitamins
The medicinal plant contains vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, among others. The plant also contains vitamins C and E, as well as provitamin A.
Aloverose – Acemannan from Aloe Vera
Acemannan is a long-chain proteoglycan - a combination of a sugar molecule with a protein building block. They are found on the surface and between our cells, connecting them to one another and thus ensuring the stability of our cell system. Acemannan promotes wound healing in the skin by activating cell growth.
Concentrated plant power! It's logical that the aloe vera plant has an effect. But what effect?
3. Aloe Vera for sunburn and irritated skin
Aloe vera gel is a true all-rounder for every skin type. It provides your skin with plenty of moisture, soothes irritated areas and actively counteracts inflammation. A study [2] from 2006 proves that aloe vera is even better for sunburn and burns than hydrocortisone. In addition, aloe vera gel supports the treatment of wounds, eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis. The moisturising effect of aloe vera supports the regeneration of the skin and ensures a smooth and healthy complexion. We also have aloe vera in the form of a gel or spray . It also provides an important basis for our day cream , the hyaluronic concentrate or the antioxidant mask , for example.
Skin care favorite: Aloe Vera Gel
Refreshment, moisture, care & valuable nutrients for your skin
4. Aloe Vera for hair
Sensitive skin that is prone to itching and inflammation is noticeably cared for and soothed by a head massage with the aloe vera gel or a spritz of our aloe vera spray. At the same time, the nutrients in the aloe vera provide the hair roots with everything they need, making them feel healthy and supple. Your tips regain moisture and give your hair a silky sheen.
5. Aloin – the plant defends itself
However, our aloe vera plant also protects itself from us humans. The natural substance aloin is found in more than 20 aloe species, with its content varying between 5.0 and 40.0 percent. The substance was already used as a laxative in alternative medicine 2000 years ago. Today, aloin is not desired in food or cosmetic products. Undesirable side effects have been proven by numerous studies. Since 2021, only a proportion of less than 5 ppm (parts per million) is permitted in products. That is why we pay particular attention to the processing and quality control of our supplier. This is because the aloin can be removed by very complex filleting of the plant leaves and thorough washing.
6. Aloe Vera – Healing power from Spain
Until now, the journey from the plant to us was still very long. Since regionality is very important to us, we now have good news: we can finally leave the great distance behind us. With our facial toners and the antioxidant mask, you can already care for your skin with aloe vera from Spain.
Aloe Vera plants are grown organically on the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. The special properties of the soil guarantee a year-round harvest of the highest quality leaves. The fresh leaves are harvested by hand when they are optimally ripe. This ensures that the peel is completely removed. The raw material is transported for further processing using the most gentle method possible. The valuable gel is extracted, stabilized and aseptically packaged. Before the gel reaches us, analytical tests ensure the purity and quality of the raw material.
We are certainly only at the beginning of being able to fully understand and explain this gift of nature. The plant has become a popular subject of research and there are some interesting studies on it. If you would like to delve deeper into the science, I would be happy to give you further insights. One thing is certain: "He who heals is right" - and that sometimes goes beyond measurable and medical evidence.
Sources:
Hamman, Josias H.: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa: Treatment of Skin Disorders with Aloe Materials Article in Current Pharmaceutical Design 25(20), 2019, 2208-2240; Data query 18.11.2019
http://www.chemie.de/lexikon/Proteoglykan.html, data query 11.06.18
https://link-springer-com.emedien.ub.uni-muenchen.de/content/pdf/10.1007/s13197-011-0229-z.pdf
https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/ernaehrung/nahrungsergaenzung/heilpflanzen/aloe-vera
https://veracetics.es/en/home/#HowWeWork