When it comes to skincare ingredients, not all are created equal. There are those that stand the test of time (vitamin E, here's looking at you), those that pack a serious punch (glycolic acid, that's you) and the ones that gather momentum on the internet but then sort of disappear again (turmeric, oh how we miss you.)
And while aloe vera has been around in the skincare world forever (no 90s summer holiday was complete without a trusty bottle of aftersun), aloe vera's popularity has recently soared, thanks to TikTok users heralding its hydrating and glow-giving skincare properties.
In fact, google searches for 'how to use aloe vera on face' are up 400% proving that our once humble sunburn ingredient really is having a moment in the spotlight.
And while you can simply cut a chunk of your trusty houseplant off and apply it straight to your face, there are a few things to consider. First of all, your favourite succulent might soon become seriously sparse. Then there's the fact that aloe vera can get messy to apply and it's also worth mentioning that it's quite sticky - so might not be the luxurious Sunday spa session you were after.
So, we prefer to bolster the plant's effectiveness and instead look for products containing high doses of aloe vera within. From creams, gels, facial mists and cleansers - here are our favourite aloe vera packed skincare picks, to soothe, hydrate and nourish skin…
Shop: The Best Aloe Vera Skincare
The Best Aloe Vera Skincare
1 of 8Garnier Micellar Hyaluronic Aloe Water, £6.99
Remove make-up, impurities & dirt in just one step while re-plumping the skin with moisture.
2 of 8Aesop Lightweight Facial Hydrating Serum, £47
If your skin feels stripped after cleansing, try this nourishing cleanser instead. It's free from potentially drying detergents, and uses Aloe Vera to leave your skin thoroughly cleansed and soft.
3 of 8Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater, £4.75
Spritz on hydration throughout the day with this calming and soothing facial mist.
4 of 8Aesop Lightweight Facial Hydrating Serum, £47
This lightweight moisturiser uses pure Aloe Vera juice as its base, and is a great, refreshing alternative hydrator for combination, oily and reactive skin.
5 of 8Holika Holika Aloe Cleansing Foam, £8.95
Aloe Vera is the main ingredient within this cleanser, which works to expertly lift away dirt, excess oil and impurities whilst helping to calm any irritation or sensitive skin
6 of 8Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Day Cream, £31
Packed with nourishing ingredients along with (you guessed it) Aloe Vera, this non-greasy facial moisturiser noticeably improves skin hydration levels, without leaving residual oil or shine on the skin. It's also perfect as a primer - win win.
7 of 8Garnier Skin Active 3-in-1 Hydrating Aloe Water Jelly, £12.99
Simple but effective, this lightweight moisturiser is suitable for even sensitive skin types, helping to soothe and hydrate. Packed with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, its refreshing and cooling jelly formula instant melts into the skin to lock in moisture for up to 48 hours.
8 of 8Augustinus Bader The Cream, £205
If you really want to amp up your aloe vera juice - try Augustinus Bader's The Cream. The formula uses aloe vera as a base ingredient, while Bader's patented Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8) works to 'unlock' skin's innate code and activate regeneration.
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