Review: Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel

Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel 

When I was down with eczema last year, my TCM practitioner recommended me to use pure aloe vera sap on my affected area. I stand today, healed from my eczema woes and I can honestly say that it WORKS! That, to me, has been the best discovery to date. ( Read more about it HERE )

It has since been a norm to me to use it to treat any skin related issues I encounter, be it pimple, dryness, or contact dermatitis. However, I only have one pot of my precious Aloe Vera plant at my home and it breaks my heart every time if I have to cut one of it's stems. Anyone who have a pot of Aloe Vera plant knows that it is painstakingly long for it to grow into full size.

To save my precious Aloe Vera from further agony, I went into Nature Republic one fine day and bought a tub of their best selling Aloe Vera Soothing Gel. 

Product Description 

Enriched with 92% aloe vera! Mild formula free from paraben, mineral oil and artificial colours. This soothing gel with 92% organic aloe vera certified by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) can be used to mildly moisturize various parts of the body such as the face, arms, legs and hair.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract ( 92% ), alcohol, glyceryl polyacrylate, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, polyglutamic acid, betaine sodium hyaluronate, carendula officinalis flower extract, mentha viridis ( spearmint ) extract, melissa officinalis extract, carbomer, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, triethanolamine, phenoxyethane, water, parfum, disodium edta.

Note: I would not park this under pure organic product because of other ingredients listed, especially alcohol and parfum.

My Experience 

The clear gel comes in a huge tub, 300 ml to be exact and I must say that it quite a deal. The gel is clear and looked semi thick. Why I mentioned it 'looked' semi thick, is because it quickly becomes runny ( like water ) when you rub the gel to your skin. This is unlike the 'real' Aloe Vera sap, where the feeling has a more slimy substance like, which then slowly sinks into the skin but leaving behind a soft protective layer.

The gel has a fresh cucumber scent to it and gives a cooling effect once you rub unto your skin. I must say that the cooling effect is good to soothe sun-burns but may I point out that the cooling effect comes from the alcohol content from this gel.

If you do a quick google, Nature Republic did publish several uses of this gel a couple of years back. The cute illustration can still be found....but here's one that I got from this site

I must admit that I didn't use them as per illustrated except for body care! I have dry skin and I just couldn't bear to apply any of it to my face because of the high alcohol content. I only use this mainly on my post eczema skin ( on the palm of my hands ) when it is flared up or looks flaky. Sometimes, I use it as spot treatment if I have a pimple or two. I must say that it works.

I have been using this since May and initially, I wasn't impressed. Many claim that it is moisturising, but I find it isn't so. After application, you do feel it leaves your skin soft to touch but then, I find that the feeling is temporal. I find that it doesn't quite perform as good as the real thing. With real Aloe Vera sap ( straight from the plant ), you can see healing on affected area within a week. With this Nature Republic gel, it would take a longer period to see significant changes.

As I mentioned earlier, I only use this gel as a treatment on my eczema skin ( on the hands ) whenever it begins to itch or peel. Which means, I need to apply the gel on the affected spot, at least 4-6 times a day. What I did was I decant the gel into my beloved Muji bottle and this makes it so easy for me to use it where ever I go.

Overall 

After months of using it, I would say that it does help to soothe my affected spot when it gets itchy. Now, most of you would say eczema skin and alcohol won't mix. Some may argue that it will further dry up the skin. In my case, after the gel application, I apply a thick moisturiser on top of it. Surprisingly, this method works for me. Me and hubs can see that the spot is slowly healing beautifully.

This also works as a spot treatment for me and my blemish spot seemed to heal nicely in days. Yes, it is also nice to use as a quick moisturiser for your body but do get prepared that the results are not mind blowing. It leaves your skin feeling soft and that's about it.

I would choose the 'real' Aloe Vera sap anytime over this. But for convenience sake, this Nature Republic gel does comes in handy.

This item was purchased by me for my personal purposes. This review is based on my honest and personal experience with this product and is not influenced by any parties.