Since 1970, Lily of the Desert has marketed its aloe vera gel. It is certified 99.5 percent organic with certification from the International Aloe Science Council. Lily of the Desert products are available from many retail, herb and vitamin stores, such as Whole Foods. Aloe vera gel can be used for many applications, including as an after-sun skin conditioner and for sunburns.
Aloe Vera
Making up 99.5 percent of the formula, Lily of the Desert's aloe vera gel is made from the Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera plant. A natural compound, aloe reduces skin flaking and helps restore suppleness. It will improve the appearance of the skin and make it look healthier, according to CosmeticsInfo.org. It has been in clinical trials to test its ability to heal wounds and help in reducing skin inflammation. It soothes the burning and irritation of sunburns.
Carrageenan
Listed as a thickening agent, carrageenan is an extract from red seaweed, especially the Gigartinaceae or Solieriaceae families of plants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, classifies it as safe. Carrageenan works as a binder to keep items in a compound from separating. It also stabilizes and thickens the product.
Citric Acid
Used as an oxidation inhibitor, citric acid is an organic acid classified by the FDA as safe for addition to food substances. It is an alpha-hydroxy acid, or AHA, which aids in removing dead surface skin cells, and has a lemon fragrance. Citric acid is used to keep items from chelating, or oxidizing, with metals and to adjust the pH balance, according to CosmeticsInfo.org.
Potassium Sorbate
Applied as a mold inhibitor, potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid. It can either be natural from the Sorbus aucuparia plant or made through a synthetic process. It has been reviewed by the FDA as GRAS, or generally recognized as safe. It retards the growth of microorganisms such as mold and keeps the product from spoiling. It is a preservative that works better against fungi than bacteria.
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