Which ingredients should be combined with aloe vera gel?

Combining the aloe vera gel with hyaluronic acid may seem particularly pertinent, as both ingredients share the ability to promote skin hydration, whilst acting through complementary mechanisms. Aloe vera supplies film-forming polysaccharides capable of reducing water loss and soothing the skin, whereas the hyaluronic acid, naturally present in the dermis, possesses strong hygroscopic properties that allow it to attract and retain water within tissues. Their combination could thus support skin hydration and help reinforce the skin barrier, particularly in contexts of irritation.

A study specifically examined a biopolymeric gel composed of agar–agar and gelatin, enriched with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, to assess its potential for burn and wound healing. The analyses in vitro and in vivo showed that this formulation exhibited hydrating, antibacterial and pro-angiogenic properties. The gel’s porous structure allowed rapid release of both active ingredients, while they showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the chorioallantoic membrane assay revealed a marked increase in neovascularisation in the presence of the aloe vera–hyaluronic acid mixture, with approximately 12 ± 2 vascular branches compared with 6 ± 1 without aloe vera.

These findings suggest that the combination of hyaluronic acid and aloe vera could promote tissue repair mechanisms, although human clinical trials are still necessary to confirm this.

Combining aloe vera with vitamin C can also be advantageous, as these two active ingredients act at complementary levels in skin protection, hydration and repair. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant capable of neutralising free radicals generated during metabolism and by environmental stressors, and of supporting collagen synthesis. Recall that collagen is a molecule found in the dermal extracellular matrix that helps maintain skin structure. Meanwhile, aloe vera helps create an environment conducive to tissue repair and to maintaining skin hydration.

An experimental study assessed polyvinyl alcohol membranes enriched with aloe vera extract and loaded with vitamin C to examine their effect on wound healing in rats. The results in vitro demonstrated enhanced protein adsorption and platelet aggregation, two phenomena involved in tissue repair. In vivo, the skin wounds treated with membranes containing aloe vera and vitamin C exhibited a more marked reduction in their surface area than those treated with a standard dressing or with a membrane lacking vitamin C. The addition of caffeine even led to an even greater closure, with hair regrowth over the healed area, while histological analysis confirmed effective re-epithelialisation.

These findings suggest that an aloe vera–vitamin C combination (and potentially caffeine) could support skin regeneration, although clinical studies in humans are still required.

The vitamin E is one of the most commonly used actives in cosmetics, whether to protect the formulation from oxidation or to bolster the skin’s antioxidant defences. Vitamin E is indeed a major liposoluble antioxidant of biological membranes: it limits lipid peroxidation induced by the oxidative stress and thereby helps to preserve the integrity of skin cells. At the same time, aloe vera fosters an environment conducive to skin regeneration. Their combination could therefore more effectively support repair mechanisms, acting on inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue reconstruction.

An experimental study conducted in rabbits compared the effect of aloe vera extract, of vitamin E and of their combination on the healing of deep cutaneous wounds. After 14 days of daily application, wound closure was more effective in the group receiving the aloe vera + vitamin E combination than in those receiving aloe vera or vitamin E alone.

Moreover, in the “aloe vera and vitamin E” group, histological analysis revealed a near-complete re-epithelialisation, dense granulation tissue and increased collagen deposition, while biochemical markers showed elevated hydroxyproline levels (≈ 6.0 mg/g of tissue) and enhanced antioxidant activity. These findings suggest a synergistic effect between aloe vera and vitamin E in accelerating skin repair, although clinical studies in humans are still required.

The glycerine, or glycerol, is a humectant widely used in cosmetics for its ability to attract and retain water in the stratum corneum. Thanks to its numerous hydroxyl groups, it forms bonds with water molecules and thus helps maintain an optimal level of skin hydration while enhancing suppleness and barrier function. Combining it with aloe vera gel therefore seems pertinent: glycerine acts as a water reservoir on the surface, while the polysaccharide environment of aloe vera favours the retention of this water and improves skin comfort. Both aloe vera and glycerine allow skin hydration, but in different and complementary ways.

Thus, the aloe vera–glycerine combination is very frequently found in moisturising cosmetic products, particularly in creams intended for either the face or the body.

Widely used in cosmetics, particularly in natural formulations, vegetable oils provide lipids to the skin and are highly valued for strengthening the hydrolipidic film. Oils such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil or even argan oil are rich in fatty acids and antioxidant compounds that contribute to skin suppleness and protection. Their combination with aloe vera enhances their nourishing effect and is particularly relevant for dry to very dry skin.

A randomised clinical study conducted on 240 hospitalised patients precisely assessed the efficacy of aloe vera, olive oil and their combination in preventing pressure ulcers, chronic wounds that develop during extended periods of sitting or lying down. After 30 days of daily topical application, the results indicate that olive oil, and particularly its combination with aloe vera, exerted a preventive effect on pressure ulcer formation. This suggests that there is a synergy between these two plant extracts, although these findings pertain to a specific hospital setting.

The synergistic pairing of aloe vera and salicylic acid is especially noteworthy for blemish-prone skin.

The salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) keratolytic agent capable of exfoliating the stratum corneum, unclogging pores and limiting excess sebum, thereby improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of imperfections. Aloe vera complements its action by providing hydrating and soothing properties, while also contributing to the modulation of cutaneous inflammation. This synergy can provide a effective but gentle purifying action, which preserves the skin’s comfort, often compromised by exfoliating actives used alone.

A comparative study evaluated the antibacterial effect of topical formulations containing 5% salicylic acid alone or combined with 20% aloe vera, in the form of creams or gels. Antibacterial activity, measured by the diameter of the inhibition zones (0.4 to 2.5 cm depending on the strains), showed that the addition of aloe vera increased the overall efficacy of salicylic acid. Moreover, the gel formulations offered a broader and more homogeneous spectrum of activity than the creams, acting against several bacteria involved in skin imperfections, including Cutibacterium acnes.

These results suggest that aloe vera could serve as a valuable adjunct in anti-blemish skincare.

The combination with glycolic acid is another interesting option for blemish-prone skin.

As a reminder, the glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that promotes exfoliation of the stratum corneum, stimulates cellular renewal and helps to lessen acne lesions as well as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Aloe vera acts as a complementary agent by supporting skin hydration, modulating inflammatory responses and aiding epidermal repair processes, which can help improve the overall tolerance of formulations containing glycolic acid, an active ingredient renowned for its irritating side effects.

A retrospective study conducted across 193 centres evaluated the clinical impact and tolerability of a facial cleanser combining glycolic acid, aloe vera and vitamin E in 619 acne patients, as an adjunct to standard dermatological treatments (clindamycin, tretinoin, adapalene or benzoyl peroxide). When used twice daily for four weeks, this cleanser has allowed for a significant improvement in patients’ skin condition.

However, it should be noted that this treatment was used as an adjunct to a dermatological treatment. The favourable outcomes observed cannot therefore be ascribed to it alone. Nevertheless, this study suggests that using a cleanser combining aloe vera and glycolic acid may offer a valuable addition to anti-acne care, by simultaneously helping to improve lesions and the pigmentary marks they leave behind.

Note : More generally, aloe vera appears to be able to play a similar role alongside other chemical exfoliants, such as mandelic acid or gluconolactone, a PHA, by helping to maintain skin comfort during exfoliation.

Retinol belongs to the family of retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A widely used in dermatology for their keratolytic, comedolytic and cell renewal-stimulating effects. By promoting the elimination of dead cells, regulating keratinocyte differentiation and preventing obstruction of hair follicles, retinoids are regarded as a reference in acne management. However, their use can be accompanied by side effects such as irritation, redness or peeling. Combining retinoids with aloe vera helps to mitigate these. Indeed, the hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties of this botanical extract complement the action of retinol while improving its skin tolerance.

A randomised, double-blind, prospective trial conducted over eight weeks in 60 participants with mild to moderate acne compared the efficacy and tolerability of a combination tretinoin 0.05% and 50% aloe vera gel versus tretinoin alone. The results demonstrate that the tretinoin/aloe vera combination yields a significantly greater reduction in non-inflammatory lesions and in the total lesion count compared with the tretinoin-only group. Furthermore, although desquamation remains the most frequent adverse effect, erythema intensity at study end is significantly lower in the combination group, reflecting improved skin tolerance.

These data suggest that aloe vera could serve as a valuable adjunct to topical retinoids, enhancing their clinical efficacy while mitigating their irritating side effects.

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