A vera good product

The gel is vegan

Aloe vera is a bit like the Irrfan Khan of the plant kingdom. What I mean by that is that just like the late actor was known to be one of the most versatile people in his profession, aloe vera has so many different uses that it stands out from other flora. Let me give you an example. I once dropped piping hot soup accidentally on my forearm and there was an immediate burn that was excruciatingly painful. My friend, whose home I was in, quickly tore off an aloe vera stalk from his house garden and when I applied that magic ingredient, the pain started subsiding right away. It was like naturally produced Burnol.

The writer applies the product

But it's not just for medicinal purposes. The plant is of course used as an ingredient in multiple beauty products. Take the "soothing aloe gel hydrator" that indie beauty care brand Phy has recently launched. It's meant for men to moisturise their skin and also style their hair. The good part is that it's 100-per cent vegan and almost completely devoid of any chemicals. But the downside to that is that the product isn't easy on the nose, in the sense that a commercial for it wouldn't have a pretty lady swooning over a dapper guy because he smells like a million bucks.

The one other complaint is that the push-down cap of the bottle I got wasn't working, which meant that I had to unscrew the whole cap to get to the source. But that being said, this hydrator does live up to the "soothing" bit in the description. I applied it to my face just before hitting the sack, and I could sense that the quality of my sleep would improve as a result.

It also gave a sense of normalcy to my usually crow's-nest-like hair when I applied it as a gel before stepping out for a fancy dinner. That in itself is enough for me to give this product another shot. And something tells me that if I am ever stupid enough to drop hot soup on my forearm again, I wouldn't need an actual aloe vera stalk to ease the pain. This vegan product should do the job.

Cost: Rs 375 for 290 ml
Log on to: thephylife.com

Woman user says

In hot and muggy weather, when most moisturisers melt off in a pool of sweat, the hydrator works well to keep the skin soft and supple without being oily or sticky. A little goes a long way, so this bottle will last you a while. The texture is light and the product is fragrance-free. - Anindita Paul