For a botanical wonder that delivers calming hydration, aloe vera is foolproof. This lush succulent has long been a source of nourishment in skin care. Other than using gel straight from the plant, you can reap aloe vera’s benefits right in your skincare and body care essentials. Ahead, we’ll help you discover all there is to love about this desert powerhouse and share our favorite Desert Essence aloe vera products.

Unveiling the Wonder Plant

While browsing your local garden center, there’s a good chance that you’ll come across an aloe plant or two. Native to parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this now-ubiquitous plant is an easy-care succulent with jagged, fleshy leaves that resemble tentacles. Besides being low maintenance and drought tolerant, it’s widely embraced for its versatility. It’s said to have been used in personal care routines since the times of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians — in fact, some even believe that Cleopatra used it in her beauty regimen. Having come a long way, aloe is now a calming go-to that’s found in everything from first aid kits to beach bags.

So, what’s so great about aloe? First and foremost, aloe is known for its soothing properties. As a succulent, it stores water in its thick leaves, which is why it’s such a hydrating powerhouse. Just squeeze the foliage, and you’ll notice how plump it is with water, which specifically comes in the form of a gel. Other than being incredibly hydrating, the gel is rich with vitamins B, C and E on top of antioxidants and enzymes.

Aloe Vera in Your Everyday Life

Aloe Vera for a Radiant Complexion

Aloe vera is a common ingredient in moisturizing facial care products. A botanical essential for smooth, hydrated skin, it often goes hand in hand with cucumber, which helps calm irritation. One of our go-to’s is Desert Essence Cucumber & Aloe Micellar Cleansing Facial Water. Along with soothing cucumber and aloe, this pick harnesses pure Australian tea tree oil to gently remove makeup and impurities. While it effectively delivers moisture, this formula is completely rinseless, so you won’t need water whatsoever.

To follow up with even more aloe vera benefits for skin, pamper your face with Desert Essence Cucumber & Aloe Facial Toner before applying your daily moisturizer. Along with a burst of hydration from cucumber and aloe, it taps into the cleansing properties of Australian tea tree oil and witch hazel to help remove excess oil without overdrying skin. And if you’re looking for a reset while on the go, Desert Essence Cucumber & Aloe Facial Cleansing Pads can give your skin a quick refresh when you can’t roll out your entire skincare routine. All it takes is a few swipes to provide comfort and clarity for dry, irritated skin.

Aloe Vera for Soft, Supple Skin

Skin care for the face is only one aspect of a daily personal routine — don’t forget body care, either! Just as it delivers a surge of hydration to the face, aloe can also nourish the rest of your body. Which is to say, you can definitely treat yourself to aloe-powered lotions from Desert Essence. Enjoy this botanical wonder in the calming Desert Essence Bulgarian Lavender Hand & Body Lotion — the deeply herbaceous scent of Bulgarian lavender delivers aromatherapy while aloe, sunflower oil and organic jojoba oil work to soften skin. If you’re scent sensitive, you can pamper your skin with Desert Essence Fragrance-Free Hand & Body Lotion. Along with moisture-replenishing aloe, this formula contains antioxidant-wealthy organic green tea for extra nourishment.

Aloe Vera for Soothing Gums and Maintaining a Sparkling Smile

Aloe’s versatility can make it a wonder even in oral care. Thanks to its soothing properties, aloe is one of the main ingredients in Desert Essence Aloe & Tea Tree Oil Carrageenan Free Toothpaste. In this plant-based formula, neem helps neutralize bacteria while tea tree oil fights cavity-forming sugar acids. Aloe comes in to help soothe and comfort gums so that you can enjoy a sparkling and healthy smile.

Aloe vera’s beauty benefits are bountiful, so it’s naturally a staple Desert Essence ingredient. To find your next favorite aloe vera formula for replenishing, hydrating goodness, check out Desert Essence’s collection.