But Palm Springs shoppers know of aloe's many other uses for improving skin care, thanks to a store called Palm Springs Aloe People.

A downtown business for more than 28 years, Palm Springs Aloe People now serves second-generation customers.

"Ninety percent of my business is repeat customers," owner John Mathews said. "It's fun."

The store carries everything from traditional skin care to specialty aloe products such as body wash, toner, bubble bath and massage oil.

The products, exclusively made for the store, contain vitamins and other ingredients that mix well with aloe.

"Aloe can penetrate three layers of skin," Mathews said.

His aloe products are made differently than those one might find in a drugstore, Mathews said. They are processed without heat, which he said takes away from aloe's healing and conditioning abilities.

"It is such a good product," said Joy Meredith, president of Main Street downtown merchants association, who uses the after-sun lotion. "(Mathews) is just so helpful and he really knows his product line."

Mathews said that is why his products are more expensive than drugstore products. For instance, a bottle of lotion is about $14 to $17.

While almost all of the products are for external use, Palm Springs Aloe People also carries Aloe Juice, a liquid supplement that can aid stomach disorders.