Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice.

What it does

In cosmetics it is used to soothe and lightly hydrate skin as a humectant-style skin conditioner.

Benefits

• Soothing and lightly hydrating, with a cooling feel that can calm irritated or sun-exposed skin
• Provides a light, mostly water-based moisturizing/humectant effect rather than a heavy occlusive one
• Contains anti-inflammatory and skin-conditioning compounds (polysaccharides, salicylates, chromones)

Side effects

• Can cause allergic contact dermatitis (redness and itching) in sensitive individuals
• The yellow leaf latex/aloin (separate from the clear inner gel) is an irritant laxative and was pulled from OTC laxatives by the FDA; good cosmetic aloe is the decolorized inner gel

Who it's for

Irritated, sun-exposed, or dehydrated skin wanting a light, soothing layer; most skin types

Who should be careful

Anyone with a known aloe/plant allergy should patch test first

• Aloe vera - Wikipedia