- By Bornika Das
- Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Identify Real Aloe Vera Gel For Skincare: Aloe vera gel is one of the ingredients that works wonders in all skin types. Natural aloe vera gel is a versatile product that can be used in skincare as well as hair care across the world. In recent times, the beauty industry started to commercialise aloe vera gel into different brands and packaging, making it easy for consumers to use. However, little do people know whether they are buying a real or fake aloe vera gel. There are several fake and chemical-based aloe vera gels available in the market that can harm the skin instead of benefitting it. But don't worry as with certain ways you can easily choose the real aloe vera gel that suits best for skincare.
Aloe vera gels benefit by treating dryness, irritation or sunburn. Having more than 75 bioactive compounds, this gel helps calm and restore the skin and hair. However, not all aloe vera gels are real. There are thousands of aloe vera gels that are filled with additives and do not resemble the properties of pure aloe vera. Thus, while shopping for aloe vera gel for your next skincare regime, keep in mind these five tips to identify the real and fake aloe vera gel.
How To Identify Original Aloe Vera Gel?
Aloe Vera Content
The aloe vera gel you’ll be buying from the store must contain aloe vera juice as the first ingredient. It should not have water or aloe vera “extract”. The lower the aloe vera juice is on the ingredient list, the less concentrated it is. Even some manufacturers mix powdered aloe vera extract with water to sell it of as gel. Real, pure and the best aloe vera gel would be made of at least 95 per cent of aloe vera juice.
Unnecessary Additives
Only a preservative and thickening agent is required to turn fresh aloe vera juice into a gel. Thus, pure aloe vera gel should not contain more than five ingredients on the label. Many gels contain other filler ingredients that are simply unnecessary.
Colourless
Many aloe vera gels in the market come as green or yellow. This is not the true colour but the result of artificial dyes added to the product to make it look attractive. The pure aloe vera extract from the leaves is colourless, so ensure the gels you’ll be buying from the store are also colourless.
Real Aloe Vera Gel Should Not Have Any Colour Or Odour (Image Credits: Canva)
No Aroma Or Scent
Mostly the aroma or scent of the aloe vera gel differs from one plant to another. But real aloe vera gels do not have any aroma or scent. It should be odourless. If the aloe vera gel from the store has floral, sweet or other medicinal fragrances, then synthetic fragrances and additives are added and not the aloe vera pulp. Synthetic fragrances added to the aloe vera gel can also cause skin irritation.
Shelf Life
As preservative is added to the commercialised aloe vera gel, they are preserved for a long, stable shelf life. If the preservative used in the aloe vera gel is natural, it will have a maximum shelf life of 12 months. Thus, check the label for the type of preservative used.