When we formulated our first products on our Washington State farm, we had to make foundational decisions about what every formula would contain.
Fresh goat milk was obvious—it's our farm's signature ingredient. MSM was next—the evidence for its anti-inflammatory benefits was too compelling to ignore. But the third foundation ingredient required more thought.
After researching dozens of potential base ingredients, we kept coming back to aloe vera. Not because it was trendy (it's been used for 6,000 years, so "trendy" doesn't really apply), but because the evidence trail for its benefits was simply overwhelming.
The Decision Framework
When we evaluate ingredients for Artisan formulations, we ask three questions:
Is there historical evidence of effectiveness? Ideally, we want ingredients that have been used for generations across multiple cultures—the kind of use that reveals problems if they exist and confirms benefits through accumulated observation.
Is there modern scientific validation? Traditional use alone isn't sufficient. We look for ingredients where modern research has identified specific mechanisms explaining why they work.
Does it complement our other foundation ingredients? Goat milk, MSM, and whatever else we include need to work together, not conflict or duplicate effects unnecessarily.
Aloe vera scored strongly on all three criteria.
The Historical Evidence: 6,000 Years of Validation
Aloe vera's documented use begins with Mesopotamian clay tablets from 2100 BC. From there, the trail runs through Egyptian medical texts, Greek pharmacopeias, Roman military medicine, Arab trade routes, and eventually to modern laboratories.
The Papyrus Ebers (circa 1550 BC) records multiple aloe formulations for internal and external ailments. Dioscorides' De Materia Medica (70 AD) remained the standard medical reference for 1,500 years, with aloe among its recommended treatments. Egyptian queens reportedly used it for beauty; Alexander the Great reportedly used it for battlefield medicine.
When an ingredient has been used continuously across every major civilization for skin health, that's not coincidence. That's accumulated evidence.
The Modern Science: Measurable Mechanisms
Research has now identified why aloe works:
Acemannan and polysaccharides stimulate fibroblast proliferation through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, promoting collagen production and tissue repair.
Anti-inflammatory compounds inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10, calming reactive skin.
Glucomannan interacts with growth factor receptors on fibroblasts, increasing collagen synthesis and healing speed.
Alprogen inhibits histamine and leukotriene release from mast cells, reducing the itching and swelling associated with sensitivity.
Clinical trials have documented reduced transepidermal water loss, increased skin hydration, improved collagen scores, and faster wound healing with aloe vera use.
This is exactly the kind of evidence we look for: traditional use validated by identifiable mechanisms and measured outcomes.
How Aloe Complements Our Other Ingredients
Here's where the synergy matters.
With fresh goat milk: Goat milk provides lactic acid for gentle exfoliation and fatty acids for barrier support. Aloe vera provides hydration and anti-inflammatory effects. Together, they address both the structural and functional aspects of skin health.
With MSM: Both ingredients have documented anti-inflammatory properties, but they work through different mechanisms. MSM supports sulfur availability for collagen synthesis while aloe supports fibroblast activity. The combination provides complementary support for skin repair.
With colostrum (in our Colostrum Cream): Colostrum's growth factors support cellular renewal while aloe's polysaccharides support the tissue matrix those cells inhabit. For anti-aging applications, this combination addresses both cellular function and structural support.
With arnica and chondroitin (in our Active Cream): For athletic recovery, aloe's anti-inflammatory and healing-support properties complement arnica's documented effects on muscle comfort and chondroitin's joint-supporting properties.
Every Artisan product is formulated as a system, not just a collection of ingredients. Aloe vera provides a foundation that enhances whatever other ingredients the specific product requires.
The Organic Distinction
We specify organic aloe barbadensis for reasons beyond marketing claims.
Organic certification means the aloe was grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers that could concentrate in the plant material and potentially irritate sensitive skin. For people whose skin is already reactive, eliminating these potential triggers matters.
Beyond what's absent, organic growing practices often produce plants with different compound profiles. While research on this is still emerging, some studies suggest organically grown plants may have different polysaccharide or antioxidant concentrations—potentially relevant for therapeutic applications.
Why It Appears in Every Formula
Look at any Artisan product's ingredient list, and you'll find "organic aloe barbadensis (aloe leaf)" listed near the top:
Face Cream: For daily facial hydration and anti-aging support
Hand Cream: For dry, working hands that need repair
Active Cream: For post-workout recovery and muscle comfort
Muscle Cream: For joint maintenance and circulation support
Colostrum Cream: For premium anti-aging and cell restoration
Rejuvenating Cream: For hydration and natural glow
Superfruits Cream: For antioxidant protection and morning routine
Each product addresses different needs, but all share the same foundation: fresh goat milk, MSM, and organic aloe vera.
We made this decision because the evidence warranted it. When an ingredient has 6,000 years of documented use, validated by modern research identifying specific mechanisms and measurable outcomes, and it complements your other foundation ingredients synergistically—that's not a choice you need to overthink.
What This Means for Your Skin
When you use an Artisan product, you're applying a formula that includes one of the most thoroughly validated skincare ingredients in human history.
The organic aloe in your cream is:
- Supporting fibroblast function and collagen production
- Providing anti-inflammatory effects through multiple pathways
- Helping your skin barrier retain moisture more effectively
- Working synergistically with fresh goat milk and MSM
These aren't marketing claims—they're documented mechanisms from peer-reviewed research, building on observations made by healers across every major civilization for 6,000 years.
For those of us formulating products here on the farm, that's exactly the kind of evidence foundation we want under every product that carries our name.
Not trendy. Not gimmicky. Just an ingredient that's earned its place through 60 centuries of human observation and modern scientific validation.
That's why organic aloe vera is in every Artisan formula. And it's why it will stay there.
