Aloe vera: your summer ally.

Thealoe vera gelis derived from the mechanical pressing of aloe vera leaves or Aloe barbadensis. It is rich in polysaccharides, vitamins, trace elements, enzymes and amino acids. In summer, the sun is usually omnipresent. Although it is pleasant to enjoy it, being constantly exposed can dry out the skin and hair.

When applied to the skin, the aloe vera gel, due to its composition of hydrophilic species, captures water molecules and retains them, thus ensuring good hydration of the skin's superficial layers. Indeed, the barrier function of the horny layer and its composition of non-viable cells, rich in proteins and intracellular lipid domains, prevent the aloe vera gel from penetrating deeply. It thus forms a film on the skin's surface limiting water evaporation. To rehydrate your skin after sun exposure, you can use pure aloe vera gel or a product containing it, like our hydrating gel.

Also known assolar erythema, sunburns are first-degree burns caused by overexposure to the sun's UVB rays. They cause redness, as well as pain and even itching. In the most severe cases, blisters can even appear. According to a study published in 2012, the biological process that occurs during theonset of a sunburn is of an inflammatory type. The sun's UVB rays damage microRNAs which, once released into the extracellular environment, stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. A chain reaction then triggers a sunburn on the skin's surface.

When applied topically, directly onto the sunburn, the aloe vera gel provides a pleasant coolness that soothes the pain and itching caused by the burn. Moreover, it exerts a soothing and repairing activity by inhibiting certain inflammation mediators such as prostaglandin F2, through the degradation pathway of arachidonic acid by acting on cyclooxygenase. It thus limits inflammation and pain simultaneously.

When applied to the hair, the aloe vera gel retains water molecules, limiting their natural evaporation. Indeed, the polysaccharides (mannose-6-phosphate, aloeverose, acemannan) it contains present hydroxyl groups (-OH) that create a hydrophilic environment.

Furthermore, it also acts by forming a protective film on the surface of the hair fibres to retain moisture and combat dryness. Pure aloe vera gel can be used as a mask to rehydrate the hair fibres and/or cleanse the scalp.

Depending on your needs, apply it to dry hair, from roots to tips, and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water. Aloe vera gel is also a component of many shampoos and conditioners, most commonly under the I.N.C.I. name "Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice".

Aloe vera gel contains several antiseptic agents, including lupeol and cinnamic acid. These compounds help to alleviate mosquito bites and soothe itching.

• CAMPOS M. & al. Evaluating the moisturising effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in varying concentrations using skin bioengineering techniques. Skin Research and Technology (2006).

• HAMMAN J. H. Composition and applications of Aloe vera leaf gel. Molecules (2008).

• MUKTAR H. & al. MicroRNAs in skin response to UV radiation. Current Drug Targets (2013).