Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is 芦荟 (lú huì) in Chinese, written 蘆薈 in Traditional Chinese/Taiwan; the species itself is often labeled 库拉索芦荟 (Curaçao aloe). It's a soothing, hydrating plant used for after-sun repair and calming irritated or sensitive skin.

Aloe Vera is the common name; the usual INCI name is Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice — the most common skincare form — alongside Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Aloe Vera Gel. Any Aloe INCI name is the same plant, but check whether it's Leaf Juice, Extract, or Powder — concentration differs.

The 99% is Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice/Extract's share of the formula; the remaining 1% is preservatives, thickeners, and fragrance. 'Juice' is already fresh pulp diluted with water, not pure raw aloe. The number is real but deserves context — reasonable for a mass-market K-beauty product.

Not recommended. The rind contains aloin, which is irritating, sensitizing, and can discolor skin over time. Commercial gels are processed to strip aloin out. If you DIY from a home plant, use only the clear inner gel, apply it the same day, and don't store it.

Topically, yes — external aloe gel has a strong safety record (5,000+ years of use, no teratogenic reports in modern research). Oral aloe is not advised in pregnancy (aloin is a laxative and may trigger uterine contractions), but topical gels contain no aloin.

Their mechanisms overlap with different emphases. Aloe excels at immediate calming and a physical cooling effect — fast relief for sunburn and acute redness. Centella drives collagen synthesis and wound healing for structural, long-term barrier repair. Combining both is a classic K-beauty repair stack.