Aloe Vera or Calendula: which is the best natural after-sun?
Choosing a natural after-sun is not just a matter of preference, but must be based on the skin's real needs after sun exposure.
Two of the most appreciated and famous ingredients in soothing cosmetics are undoubtedly Aloe vera and Calendula officinalis. But which of the two represents the best solution for caring for reddened or sunburnt skin?
Let's find out with a technical analysis.
🌱 Aloe: hydration and immediate cooling effect
Aloe is a succulent plant, whose sap and the gel obtained from the inner leaves are rich in:
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polysaccharides (e.g. acemannan) that retain water and form a protective film on the skin;
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amino acids, vitamins and minerals in small quantities.
👉 Main properties as an after-sun
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High water content (~99%), which offers an immediate cooling effect, highly appreciated in case of burning from sun exposure.
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Creation of a thin hydrophilic film that helps limit transepidermal dehydration.
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Slight soothing action, thanks to the presence of mucopolysaccharides and traces of natural anti-inflammatory compounds.
👉 Limitations
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It does not provide the nourishment capable of promoting deep regeneration of the damaged skin tissue.
🌼 Calendula officinalis: regeneration, deep hydration and skin protection goal
Calendula officinalis is one of the most studied medicinal plants for topical use. Its flowers contain:
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flavonoids (e.g. quercetin, isorhamnetin) with antioxidant and vasoprotective activity;
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triterpenes (e.g. faradiol) with proven anti-inflammatory and healing-promoting action;
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carotenoids that support skin regeneration processes.
👉 Main properties of the calendula flower
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Deep soothing action, useful for reducing damage from UVB radiation.
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Natural stimulation of regeneration and the restoration of the skin barrier.
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When delivered in butters or oils (e.g. Shea butter), Calendula provides a treatment that deeply hydrates and protects the skin from persistent dehydration.
👉 Strengths
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Improves the quality of damaged tissue recovery.
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Offers a more complete action compared to the cooling effect alone, thanks to the synergy between antioxidant components and lipids. Deeply hydrates and promotes healing.
🔬 Aloe vs Calendula: technical comparison
| Feature | Aloe vera | Calendula officinalis (in butters/oils) |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate hydration | ✅ very high (surface hydrogel film) | ✅ good, but more linked to the fat base |
| Deep and lasting hydration | ❌ limited (rapid evaporation) | ✅ present (thanks to the lipid base and actives) |
| Cooling effect | ✅ very marked | ⚪ moderate |
| Anti-inflammatory/healing action | ⚪ light (not main function) | ✅ significant (documented for triterpenes/flavonoids) |
| Skin barrier restoration | ❌ no | ✅ yes, thanks to the synergy with natural lipids like Shea Butter |
| Desquamation prevention | ❌ weak | ✅ effective |
🌿 Conclusion: which one to choose as a natural after-sun?
👉 Aloe vera
Excellent as an immediate treatment in the first hours after a sunburn, to:
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give rapid relief to burning;
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cool the skin thanks to its high water content.
When do We recommend it at Officinalis?
At Officinalis we believe in the power of nature, for this the Officinalis farm cultivates Aloe organically in the Sardinian coasts, 500 meters from the wonderful beach of Cala Pira.
CRISOS by Officinalis, a 100% natural emulsion made with fresh aloe gel and prickly pear, represents the ideal solution in case of dryness, altered skin and itching, giving freshness and providing immediate relief. It is also useful as an after-sun, but it is not the most effective product in case of intense sunburn!
👉 Calendula
(especially when delivered in a butter like Shea) represents the best choice as:
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complete regenerating treatment;
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support for the reconstruction of the skin barrier;
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moisturizing and protective solution to prevent dryness and desquamation.
➡ The winning combination for the skin after the sun for Officinalis is a product like Calendula Orange 90%, which uses the best of fresh Calendula in a rich and nourishing floral butter, capable of moisturizing, protecting and regenerating the skin in a natural and lasting way.
💛 How do we make Calendula Orange 90%?
Our natural after-sun cream Calendula Orange 90% stands out for a unique innovation: the Floral Butters patent, an exclusive process that allows to obtain the maximum benefit from fresh medicinal flowers.
The fresh organic flowers of Calendula, Hypericum, Helichrysum and Lavender, grown without pesticides in our fields, are immediately processed to keep the active principles intact.
These flowers are immersed to saturation in pure Shea butter and brought to a boil, creating a rich and concentrated infusion.
The infusion happens at 80°C, a temperature studied to preserve the properties of the flowers and favor the complete extraction of the liposoluble active principles, essential to regenerate and nourish the skin after sun exposure.
🌸 Shea butter: nourishment and protection for your skin
The Shea butter, precious base of our vegan after-sun cream, is renowned for its exceptional moisturizing, emollient and protective properties.
It penetrates the deepest layers of the skin, helping to:
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re-establish the hydrolipidic barrier damaged by the sun;
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maintain skin elasticity;
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prevent the dryness typical of sunburns
💧 The benefits of the after-sun cream Calendula Orange 90%
Thanks to the unique combination of Shea butter and the active extracts of fresh Calendula, this cream:
✅ Intensely and lastingly hydrates;
✅ Soothes redness and burning post-sun;
✅ Promotes skin regeneration, protecting the skin without clogging the pores;
✅ Helps prevent desquamation and dryness typical after sunburns.
