Ingredient Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Ingredient Encyclopedia

Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Aloe Vera – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice / Gel), the most recognized cooling botanical, functions as a universally trusted hydration-support agent by delivering a complex matrix of Polysaccharides, Amino Acids, and Trace Phenolics. Unlike specialized extracts, it provides a gel-like to lightly viscous sensory profile that offers an immediate "cushiony" cooling response, making it a cornerstone for sensitive, dehydrated, or sun-stressed skin. Typically used at 1–100% depending on the product format, it acts as a reliable routine-buffer that improves the skin’s tolerance to more aggressive actives like retinoids and strong acids. While its soothing relief is felt instantly, consistent application over a 4-week timelinepromotes more stable, calm skin behavior and enhanced comfort perception. Highly compatible with a pH range of 5.0–6.5, Aloe Vera remains a foundational "familiar calm" in modern skincare, though it requires layering with occlusive moisturisers in cold or dry climates to prevent moisture evaporation.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Aloe Vera – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is a desert succulent whose inner leaf gel contains over 95% water plus bioactive compounds like acemannan (polysaccharides), amino acids, vitamins A/C/E, and trace minerals. These molecules work together to form a thin hydrating film that traps moisture, giving skin a soft, soothed feel. When purified and preserved correctly, aloe becomes a lightweight humectant and comfort-booster suitable for almost every skin type.