The Truth About Aloe Vera-Based Sunless Tanning Products

Separating Fact from Fiction on Aloe, Hydration, and Spray Tanning

How's everyone doing? Hope you're staying cool in this heat! Hydration—both inside and out—is key to keeping your skin looking radiant, even in the midst of a humid summer.

Speaking of hydration, let's talk about Aloe Vera. This incredible plant has long been prized for its skin-moisturizing benefits. At AYU Sunless, we utilize Aloe Vera in most of our formulations due to its natural ability to support hydrated, healthy-looking skin.

Recently, I've received some questions, so this post aims to help clarify any confusion.

Some brands and individuals have been spreading misinformation about Aloe-based sunless tanning products, claiming they feel thick, tacky, sticky, and clog pores. That isn't true, at least not when products are formulated correctly.

Here's What You Should Know About Aloe Vera in Cosmetic Formulations:

1. Aloe Vera juice in skincare is not the same as Aloe Gels sold at stores.
2. Cosmetic-grade Aloe is typically used as:
   • 1:1 Aloe Vera Liquid
   • 10:1 Aloe Vera Concentrate
   • 200x Aloe Vera Powder (reconstituted before use)

All of these forms behave like water in terms of viscosity. They do not make products thick, sticky, or heavy on the skin, even when Aloe is listed as the first ingredient. Properly formulated, Aloe-based products leave the skin smooth, not tacky.

1. Why Aloe Gel Feels Different.
2. Those thick green or clear Aloe gels you find in stores? They're formulated to feel like a gel, using ingredients like:
   • Carbomers and Triethanolamine (TEA) to create a gel texture
   • Xanthan Gum or Cellulose for viscosity

These ingredients—not the Aloe itself—are why store gels feel thicker, tacky, or leave a wet film on the skin.

1. Raw Aloe from the Plant Does Feel Sticky.
2. Yes, freshly applied Aloe from the plant can feel sticky until it dries—but that's natural mucilage, not a problem ingredient in sunless tanning formulas.
3. At AYU Sunless, we use IASC-certified Aloe.
4. We source Aloe powder certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC), a trusted third-party that verifies the purity of Aloe products.
5. How it's made:

• Fresh Aloe is harvested, and the inner gel is carefully removed (avoiding the Aloin layer).
• The gel is filtered, pasteurized, and concentrated through temperature-controlled evaporation.
• Finally, it's freeze-dried to preserve purity—no added fillers, gums, or preservatives.

Why Aloe in Sunless Tanning?

✔️ Hydrates skin for a smoother, more even tan

✔️ Helps support the skin's natural barrier

✔️ Leaves skin feeling refreshed, not sticky

✔️ Works beautifully with DHA for natural-looking color

If you follow us on Instagram, you may recall that we previously shared how Aloe Vera in our spray tan solutions contributes to the skin's hydration and comfort after a tan. This is not a sticky or heavy hydration; it's skin-friendly moisture done right.

Final Thought:

Proper formulation matters. Aloe-based sunless tanning products—when formulated by experienced cosmetic chemists—offer hydration, skin comfort, and a smooth application experience without any of the issues people typically fear.

If you have any further questions about how Aloe works in AYU products or sunless tanning science, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always happy to share our knowledge.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and enjoy your glow!

— AYU Sunless