Aloe vera belongs in a routine because it gives skin light, water-binding hydration and a cool, comfortable feel without any weight. On the face, use it right after cleansing, as a thin gel layer before your serum or oil. On hands and body, it comes in through the wash and the cream you already use. This guide sets out where aloe fits at each point in the day, and how to get the most from it.
Where aloe goes in the order
The usual rule for layering is thinnest to thickest, and aloe is one of the thinnest textures you will use. A gel made mostly of aloe goes on after cleansing and any toner, and before anything oily or rich. Put it on after a face oil and it has nothing to grip; put it on first and the oil that follows seals in the water the aloe has brought to the skin.
That is the logic behind our Detox Gel. It is a light, clear aloe gel made to sit between toning and moisturizing, so the serums, oils and makeup that come after it glide on more easily.
Morning
- Cleanse. Use a gentle wash, such as our Rose Face Wash Cream, and rinse with warm water.
- Mist, if you like. A few spritzes of Rose Petal Mist Face Toner leave skin lightly hydrated and ready for the next layer.
- Aloe gel. Smooth a thin layer of Detox Gel over face and neck. It melts in within seconds.
- Serum or oil. While the gel is still fresh, press in a few drops of the Royal Kalahari Face Serum. The two are made to be used together.
- Sunscreen. Always the last step in daylight.
If you prefer a brightening serum in the morning, our Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Face Serum with Niacinamide already contains aloe and cucumber. Press in three or four drops, wait a moment, then follow with moisturizer or a face oil and sunscreen.
Evening
At night the order stays the same, but you can be more generous with what goes on top. Cleanse, smooth on the aloe gel, then press in your serum or face oil. Skin that feels dry by evening, after heating, air conditioning or a long day outside, benefits most from an oil over the gel, which holds the moisture in through the night.
Hands, through the day
Hands are where most people already use aloe without thinking about it. Our Hydrating Hand Wash is a castile-style liquid soap with organic aloe vera, so frequent washing leaves hands comfortable rather than tight. Follow it with the Hydrating Hand Cream, which pairs aloe leaf juice and glycerin with Kalahari melon seed oil and settles in without a greasy film. Keep the pair together by the kitchen sink so the second step actually happens.
Body, after the shower
The same two-step logic works for the body. The Replenishing Body Wash with Kalahari Oil contains organic aloe vera and rinses clean without leaving skin tight. Then, while skin is still slightly damp, apply the Rejuvenating Body Cream, where aloe leaf juice and glycerin add hydration and a blend of plant oils cushions the surface. Elbows, shins and heels are the places to be generous.
Summer and after time outdoors
Aloe is at its most welcome when skin feels warm and dry, after a day in the sun or wind, or in a hot city summer. A cool gel step feels good and adds hydration without weight, which matters when heavy creams feel like too much. Keep the routine light: cleanse, aloe gel, a few drops of oil. In winter, keep the gel but be sure to follow it with an oil or cream, since dry indoor air pulls moisture away faster.
Fresh leaf or finished formula
Some people cut aloe straight from a houseplant. It is worth knowing that a cut leaf contains both the clear gel and the bitter yellow latex just under the skin, and the latex is not something you want on your face. A finished formula uses only the inner leaf, mixes it with other ingredients that help it spread and hold, and keeps it fresh. Whichever you use, patch test first: reactions to aloe are rare, but they happen.
Questions about using aloe in a routine
Should aloe go on before or after face oil?
Before. Aloe gel is thinner and water-based, so it goes on first, and the oil follows to seal in the moisture the gel adds.
Can I use an aloe gel every day?
Yes. Aloe is gentle enough for morning and night use on most skin. Our Detox Gel is meant for a thin layer after cleansing, at both ends of the day.
Can I use fresh aloe from a plant on my face?
You can, but take only the clear inner gel and avoid the yellow latex under the leaf's skin. Patch test first, since some people react to it.
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