Aloe vera is a natural product that is now a day frequently used in the field of cosmetology. Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin products, including lotions and sunblocks.

1. Dr. S. KUMARA S WA M Y
A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R
F a c u l t y o f P h a r m a c e u t i c a l S c i e n c e
A S S A M D O W N T O W N U N I V E R S I T Y
Role of Herbs in Cosmetics

2. 1. Aloe vera - Skin care cosmetics
 Aloe Vera, the modest houseplant is a ‘miracle,’ wonder plant, often
hiding in plain sight.
 Aloe vera is a natural product that is now a day frequently used in the field
of cosmetology.
 Having been around and used as a medicinal herb, it nourishes the body
from the inside – it is rich in nutrients, aids in improving digestion and
even boost immunity.
 Aloe Vera can be used topically too, i.e., its gel can be used to enhance
one’s skin, especially the face and the hair.
 The cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries use aloe vera
extensively, and the plant has an estimated annual market value of $13
billion globally.

3.  Today, Aloe vera is also used as a folk or traditional remedy for a variety
of conditions and is found in some dietary supplements and food
products.
 Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin products, including
lotions and sunblocks

4. Aloe Vera
 The botanical name of Aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller. It belongs to
Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family,
 Active components with its properties: Aloe vera contains 75
potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars,
lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.

5. Useful Properties of Aloe Vera as a Skincare Ingredient
 Advantages:
 Easy to find
 Low price
 Effective
 Skin-friendly
 Key Properties:
 Moisturising
 Skin Soothing
 Analgesic and anti-inflammatory
 Damage repair
 Components:
 Lipophilic and hydrosoluble vitamins
 Minerals
 Enzymes
 Simple and complex polysaccharides
 Phenolic compounds
 Organic acids
 Ingredients:
 Aloe vera powder
 Aloe vera gel
 Aloe vera oil – infused
 Aloe vera glycerite

6. Aloe Vera
 1. Vitamins: It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are
antioxidants.
 About 8 oz /225 gr of fortified aloe vera juice contains 9.1 grams of vitamin C.
 This vitamin is vital for a person’s overall health, as it is a natural antioxidant and
helps fight inflammation.
 It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline.
 Antioxidant neutralizes free radicals.
 2. Enzymes: It contains 8 enzymes: aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase,
bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase.
 Bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin
topically, while others help in the breakdown of sugars and fats.

7. Aloe Vera
 3. Minerals: It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium,
manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc.
 They are essential for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in
different metabolic pathways and few are antioxidants.
 4. Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and
polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose).
 These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as
mucopolysaccharides.
 The most prominent monosaccharide is mannose-6-phosphate, and the most
common polysaccharides are called glucomannans [beta-(1,4)-acetylated
mannan].
 Acemannan, a prominent glucomannan has also been found.
 Recently, a glycoprotein with antiallergic properties, called alprogen and novel
anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromone, has been isolated from
Aloe vera gel.

8. Aloe Vera
 5. Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic
compounds traditionally known as laxatives.
 Aloin and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
 Aloe vera latex contains four major C-glycosyl constituents: aloin A, aloin
B, aloesin, and aloeresin A.
 Aloin A, a C-glycosyl anthrone, also referred to as barbaloin, is the major
component of aloe latex.
 6. Fatty acids: It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-
sisosterol and lupeol.
 All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses
antiseptic and analgesic properties.
 7. Hormones: Auxins and gibberellins that help in wound healing and
have anti-inflammatory action.

9. Aloe Vera
 8. Others: It provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of
the 8 essential amino acids.
 It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and
antibacterial properties.
 Lignin, an inert substance, when included in topical preparations,
enhances penetrative effect of the other ingredients into the skin.
 Saponins that are the soapy substances form about 3% of the gel and
have cleansing and antiseptic properties.

11. Aloe Vera gel for face, skin, and hair
 1. Treats Sunburn
 Aloe Vera gel has cooling properties and is anti-inflammatory.
 Hence, it is one of the most natural remedies for sunburn or burnt skin.
 Applying this gel helps with a protective layer for the skin, and it also
helps to retain moisture.
 It is rich in antioxidants and minerals that boost the healing process.
 So now you can maintain your summer skin health using aloe vera.

12. Aloe Vera gel for face, skin, and hair…….
 2. Moisturize the skin
 Unlike regular, market-bought moisturizers, Aloe Vera gel when used as
a moisturizing gel doesn’t leave a greasy film on the face and the skin.
 In fact, it does just the opposite – it unclogs the pores and softens the
skin.
 It can be used as an aftershave treatment.
 This is because the Aloe Vera gel helps to keep the skin hydrated and
heals burns by razors and smaller nicks & cuts.
 It also helps treat dry skin.

13. Aloe Vera gel for face, skin, and hair…..
 3. Boosts healing of wounds
 It is now a known fact that Aloe Vera is highly beneficial for burns, cuts, and
other injuries.
 This is because Aloe Vera boosts the healing of wounds, i.e., reduces the time of
healing.
 This is true especially in the case of 1st degree and 2nd-degree burns. It’s a
great skin burn treatment.
 It also helps to speed up skin cell reproduction as much as eight times.
 Aloe Vera is also known to penetrate the epidermis, i.e., the outer layer of the
skin faster than water.

14. Aloe Vera gel for face, skin, and hair……
 4. Fights skin-ageing
 Aloe Vera gel has vitamin C and E, beta-carotene in abundance.
Therefore, it has anti-ageing properties.
 It also contains antimicrobial properties and is anti-inflammatory.
 It also helps to eradicate skin blemishes and diminish age lines.
 Additionally, it helps to increase the production of collagen in the body
and skin elasticity.
 In a 2009 study of 30 females over the age of 45, taking oral aloe vera
gel increased collagen production and improved skin elasticity over a
90-day period.

15. Aloe Vera gel for face, skin, and hair……..
 5. Reduces infection and acne
 Those who suffer from acne will find respite in Aloe Vera.
 It helps in gentle cleansing, and its antimicrobial properties treat
pimples without causing any damages to the skin.
 It is an antiseptic that allows protection against bacteria.
 Aloe Vera contains polysaccharides and gibberellins.
 These help in the growth of new cells and at the same time, reduce
inflammation and redness.
 It also works as an astringent that reduces the size of pores, flushing out
the excess sebum, microbes, and dirt.

16. Aloe Vera gel for face, skin, and hair……..
 6. Lightens blemishes on the face
 As we already know, Aloe Vera contains powers to boost skin cell
reproduction, reduce redness, and fight skin inflammation,
 It is a natural treatment for stretch marks and acne marks.
 To treat freckles and lighten age spots, add some lemon juice to the gel
mixture.
 It is one of the perfect home remedies for glowing skin.

17. Aloe Vera for hair and scalp
 1 Helps in hair growth
 Like skin reproduction, Aloe Vera gel helps in activating new hair growth as it increases
blood circulation to the scalp.
 It also provides essential minerals and vitamins. Aloe Vera contains proteolytic enzymes
that help repair dead skin on the scalp. So aloe vera works as a great remedy for scalp
problems in women and men.
 2 Keeps dandruff at bay
 Aloe Vera helps in healing dry skin, fungal infections and excessively oily skin. All these
are significant causes of dandruff. It is one of the natural ways to get rid of dandruff.
 3 Acts as a conditioner to the hair and scalp
 Just as how it moisturizes the skin, Aloe Vera helps to condition the hair and soften it.
Regularly applying Aloe gel to the hair and scalp helps to maintain the vitality of the hair
and its shine.

18. Aloe Vera gel for face, skin, and hair……..