February 09, 2023
Does aloe vera help with sunburn?
After a day of sunbathing, there’s nothing worse than noticing the hot, uncomfortable sensation of sunburn. A common remedy for sunburn is aloe vera, and this ingredient is often found in aftersun and sunburn treatments. At Hawaiian Tropic, we have over 50 years of experience in sun care and skin protection, so we’re drawing on our knowledge to put together this guide to the benefits of aloe vera.
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a type of short-stemmed succulent shrub resembling a cactus that grows in tropical and subtropical climates, particularly in Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. It has thick, fleshy leaves that are serrated, with small white teeth around the edges.
Aloe vera is often used as an ornamental plant, grown in rockeries or indoor pots. It requires relatively little water but thrives best in warm environments. When the thick green leaves of the aloe are cut, they secrete a clear gel. This gel is a key ingredient in many skincare products and medicines. It can be toxic when ingested in significant amounts, but it has many uses when applied to the skin.
Why Does Aftersun Contain Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera has a cooling and moisturizing effect that can alleviate the symptoms of sunburn. It prevents the skin from drying out further, which leads to peeling and blistering, and it also eases pain. Aloe vera is a core component of many aftersun lotions and creams, and it’s often combined with other ingredients that can help cool and soothe the skin, such as cucumber and mint.
How Does Aloe Vera Help Sunburn?
In recent years, scientific studies have shown that the clear gel from Aloe Vera leaves contains a compound known as “aloine.” This compound has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties that are useful in the treatment of first and second-degree burns, as well as sunburn, cooling the skin and making it feel less painful.
The hydrating and moisturizing properties of aloe vera gel are also an important aspect of how it can help sunburn. When skin is damaged by overexposure to the sun, the top layers of skin cells are damaged or die, creating dryness and, potentially, peeling. Aloe vera is easily absorbed into the skin and has a high water content, making it excellent for restoring hydration. Enzymes in aloe vera gel also act as mild exfoliants, helping to remove some of the dead skin cells and leaving the skin soft and fresh.
How to Use Aloe Vera to Help Sunburn
If you have an Aloe Vera plant in your home or garden, it is possible to use the pure gel from its leaves to directly treat sunburn. However, for most of us, the best, easiest, and most hassle-free way to access the benefits of aloe vera gel is to use a product that contains it as an ingredient.
Fortunately, there are many brilliant aloe vera-based gels and lotions available that are specially formulated to give you the benefits of aloe vera, often alongside other soothing and moisturizing ingredients such as Vitamin E. You can maximize the benefits of these products by first taking a quick cool or lukewarm shower or bath, and then gently patting yourself dry before applying the product. This will help trap as much hydration as possible in your skin.
How Often Should Aloe Vera Be Applied For Sunburn?
Whether you’re using aloe vera gel from the plant directly, or an aloe vera-based aftersun product, to treat sunburn, you really can’t apply too much! There are no adverse effects to using aloe vera gel or aftersun lotion, so apply a thick layer all over your body for maximum benefits, whenever you’ve been exposed to direct sun for a prolonged period. Once the product has sunk in, don’t hesitate to apply another layer to ensure your skin gets the maximum amount of hydration. Just remember to let it dry before getting dressed.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Take to Soothe Sunburn?
Some of the benefits of Aloe Vera will be felt immediately after applying it. The gel will cool your skin and bring immediate relief from sunburn. However, the benefits are not just short-term; applying a generous amount of aloe vera gel, or an aloe-based product, will have a sustained effect in restoring skin moisture and preventing dryness and peeling in the hours and days following the burn.
What is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a type of short-stemmed succulent shrub resembling a cactus that grows in tropical and subtropical climates, particularly in Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. It has thick, fleshy leaves that are serrated, with small white teeth around the edges.
Aloe vera is often used as an ornamental plant, grown in rockeries or indoor pots. It requires relatively little water but thrives best in warm environments. When the thick green leaves of the aloe are cut, they secrete a clear gel. This gel is a key ingredient in many skincare products and medicines. It can be toxic when ingested in significant amounts, but it has many uses when applied to the skin.
Why Does Aftersun Contain Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera has a cooling and moisturizing effect that can alleviate the symptoms of sunburn. It prevents the skin from drying out further, which leads to peeling and blistering, and it also eases pain. Aloe vera is a core component of many aftersun lotions and creams, and it’s often combined with other ingredients that can help cool and soothe the skin, such as cucumber and mint.
How Does Aloe Vera Help Sunburn?
In recent years, scientific studies have shown that the clear gel from Aloe Vera leaves contains a compound known as “aloine.” This compound has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties that are useful in the treatment of first and second-degree burns, as well as sunburn, cooling the skin and making it feel less painful.
The hydrating and moisturizing properties of aloe vera gel are also an important aspect of how it can help sunburn. When skin is damaged by overexposure to the sun, the top layers of skin cells are damaged or die, creating dryness and, potentially, peeling. Aloe vera is easily absorbed into the skin and has a high water content, making it excellent for restoring hydration. Enzymes in aloe vera gel also act as mild exfoliants, helping to remove some of the dead skin cells and leaving the skin soft and fresh.
How to Use Aloe Vera to Help Sunburn
If you have an Aloe Vera plant in your home or garden, it is possible to use the pure gel from its leaves to directly treat sunburn. However, for most of us, the best, easiest, and most hassle-free way to access the benefits of aloe vera gel is to use a product that contains it as an ingredient.
Fortunately, there are many brilliant aloe vera-based gels and lotions available that are specially formulated to give you the benefits of aloe vera, often alongside other soothing and moisturizing ingredients such as Vitamin E. You can maximize the benefits of these products by first taking a quick cool or lukewarm shower or bath, and then gently patting yourself dry before applying the product. This will help trap as much hydration as possible in your skin.
How Often Should Aloe Vera Be Applied For Sunburn?
Whether you’re using aloe vera gel from the plant directly, or an aloe vera-based aftersun product, to treat sunburn, you really can’t apply too much! There are no adverse effects to using aloe vera gel or aftersun lotion, so apply a thick layer all over your body for maximum benefits, whenever you’ve been exposed to direct sun for a prolonged period. Once the product has sunk in, don’t hesitate to apply another layer to ensure your skin gets the maximum amount of hydration. Just remember to let it dry before getting dressed.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Take to Soothe Sunburn?
Some of the benefits of Aloe Vera will be felt immediately after applying it. The gel will cool your skin and bring immediate relief from sunburn. However, the benefits are not just short-term; applying a generous amount of aloe vera gel, or an aloe-based product, will have a sustained effect in restoring skin moisture and preventing dryness and peeling in the hours and days following the burn.
