Crossword Genius

A bread almost always contained moisturising agent (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aloe vera

'moisturising agent' is the definition.
(substance with a moisturising effect)

'a bread almost always contained' is the wordplay.
'bread' becomes 'lora' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'always' becomes 'ever' (synonyms).
'contained' is an insertion indicator.
'ever' with its final letter taken off is 'eve'.
'lora' placed around 'eve' is 'loevera'.
'a'+'loevera'='ALOE VERA'

(Other definitions for aloe vera that I've seen before include "Mediterranean plant whose thick leaves give off a soothing juice" , "Cosmetic plant extract" , "Succulent" , "type of juice" , "Something soothing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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