Aloe vera
The inner leaf gel of the aloe plant: mostly water, with polysaccharides that hold moisture and feel cooling on the scalp.
- INCI name
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
- Origin
- Botanical
- Role
- Lightweight humectant and scalp soother
- Best for
- Low porosity · Fine hair · Scalp that feels tight or itchy after washing
What it does
Aloe juice is a water-based ingredient, which is why it suits low-porosity hair that struggles with heavy oils: it adds water and slip without a film. Its polysaccharides (acemannan among them) are humectants, drawing water to the hair surface and the scalp.
On the scalp it is widely used for its soothing feel. Evidence for specific scalp benefits in cosmetic use is modest, so we treat it as a gentle base and a humectant rather than a treatment. It is not a fix for dandruff, psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis, which need a dermatologist.
How we use it
As the water phase in leave-ins and scalp-friendly formulas for low-porosity profiles, in place of heavier emollients.
Helps with
Often paired with
- Argan oilEmollient oil for slip and shine
- Shea butterOcclusive butter that seals moisture in
- Jojoba oilSebum-like liquid wax
Sources
- Hair cosmetics: an overview (Gavazzoni Dias, 2015) · International Journal of Trichology
Educational only, not medical advice. Persistent scalp irritation, sudden hair loss or unexplained breakage warrant a visit to a dermatologist. Written by Cosmixxology R&D.