The Benefits of Aloe Vera for Beauty and Health

Have you ever heard about Aloe Vera and it’s magical effect in beauty and health? I’m sure you have. If you want to discover more about how this plant can support your overall wellbeing, just keep reading.

Aloe Vera – also referred to as Aloe Barbadensis, or Aloe Africana – is a succulent, part of the lily family and often grown as a houseplant. It has been discovered and used in traditional medicine and beauty practices since prehistoric times. The plant comes from tropical Africa but is also cultivated elsewhere.

How to Use Aloe Vera in Skincare

Aloe is one of my favourite beauty ingredients. I use it in my homemade beauty products, that are cost-effective and can be tailored to my skin type or beauty necessity. This magical gel can be part of your general beauty routine, while it helps to treat chronic skin conditions too.

How to Extract Aloe Gel

We use the thick, jelly-like juice of the Aloe, where the majority of the active ingredients are located. Saponins, amino acids, beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, alanine, lignin, other minerals and enzymes. Briefly: the extract of this plant is extremely potent.

You can extract pure Aloe Vera gel at home with a simple method. Split the Aloe leaf into two halves with a knife and scoop out the clear, translucent, inner gel from the split leaf. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Use Aloe as an After-Sun Relief

As much as we long for sunny days at the beach, prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage the skin and induce premature ageing. Create your own Aloe Vera liquid spray to carry on camping trips and holidays. Mix equal parts of water and Aloe gel and pour them into a spray bottle.

Use Aloe Against Acne

For curing acne, you need to change your diet and lifestyle. Aloe, as any topical treatments, helps to ease the surface symptoms, not the root cause. However it might heal existing acne and acne scars, but it will not prevent new breakouts.

Use Aloe to Treat Wrinkles

Aloe Vera, as a powerful anti-ageing tool, may help in wrinkle treatment in many ways. A recent study shows, that certain Aloe supplements -taken orally- have an effect on skin elasticity, hydration, and collagen score. Using as a topical treatment, it provides you with younger-looking skin.

Aloe gel can be part of your general beauty routine, while it helps to treat chronic skin conditions too.

Use Aloe to Heal Dehydrated Skin

When the skin is dehydrated, it lacks water and this causes sensations of tightness and discomfort. Aloe juice has moisturizing and regenerating properties to rehydrate the complexion. It is able to enter your skin and increase the water content in it. You can apply pure Aloe gel to your skin as a moisturizer, or mix one tbs. of Aloe with 1 tbs. of Coconut Oil and use it as a mask. After 20 minutes wash it off with lukewarm water.

Use Aloe Against Dark Spots

As we know, UV rays increase scars, wrinkles, and dark spots, while leading to painful sunburns and irritation. Aloe may help to reduce dark spots, freckles and skin imperfections. Apply pure Aloe liquid to your dark spots, leave it on your skin for about 20 minutes, then wash it off with lukewarm water.

Use Aloe Vera for Wound and Scar Healing

You can use Aloe Vera for wound and scar healing. Besides relieving itching, it is thought to reduce pain caused by minor burns and other skin irritations. Topical Aloe Vera application has also been shown to help treat psoriasis, HPV and seborrheic dermatitis. It also works as an alternative treatment to alleviate and heal a painfully itchy insect bite. Aloe Vera is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce swelling and accelerate the healing of the area.

How to Use Aloe Vera in Haircare

Incorporate Aloe Vera gel into your hair care routine, it is great for your scalp and hair!

Use Aloe in Scalp Healing

Thanks to its healing benefits, Aloe juice may repair the damaged cells in your scalp and helps to promote hair growth and nourish the follicles. Apply Aloe directly to the scalp, use it as a hair mask before washing.

Use Aloe Against Dandruff

Aloe vera can help combat dandruff, psoriasis, and dryness while calming itchy scalp. Due to its anti-fungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, Aloe gel may rehydrate the scalp and fight against those pesky white flakes.

Use Aloe for Shiny Hair

Dreaming about silky hair? Aloe vera is one of the best options, it works wonders for your hair. High in water content, packed with minerals and vitamins, and acts as an excellent moisturizer. Apply Aloe gel on your hair, from the root to the ends. Wrap your hair in a shower cap and a warm towel for at least 30 minutes, then rinse it off. The result is smooth, soft and shiny hair.

Use Aloe for Your Internal Health

The health benefits of Aloe Vera are endless. It has been commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for prevention and treatment of diseases. Drink Aloe juice for your general wellbeing. It is an excellent health tonic that you can include in your healthy lifestyle.

Aloe Vera functions as:

• A prebiotic to support good gut health
• General immune system booster due to its antioxidant components
• It has anti-fungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties
• Thanks to its anti-inflammatory benefits, Aloe Vera juice may help to ease asthma symptoms

Note, that besides all these benefits, Aloe Vera, as any herbs, should use with caution. Before taking any supplements, ask your doctor if it is right for you. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid taking Aloe Vera orally.

Latex is a very common allergen. Aloe latex comes from under the plant’s skin – a yellow, translucent layer – and it can provoke a latex allergy in latex-sensitive individuals.

Always use unrefined, organic, fair trade products. Take care of your health and our environment. Always take allergy test – if you have reaction avoid these ingredients.

Love, Auntie