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Aloe there, mate!
You will find aloe vera listed in most of the products from moisturisers to toners, and for a good reason. The key to your skin’s happiness is keeping it hydrated and aloe with its water content ranging from 98.5% to 99.5% does an exceptional job at that. Known for its reputation as a cure-all ingredient, this electric-green plant is one of the few staples in your granny’s beauty cabinet that have made it across all generations. What we are saying is this: The ‘plant of immortality’ is here to top the list of beauty essentials.
Widely available, aloe vera has been known for its innumerable skin and hair benefits for centuries. From soothing sunburn, and locking in moisture to improving hair growth, there’s nothing that this wonder ingredient can’t do. Starring in a myriad of beauty products, this succulent plant is also the antidote to acne, scars and dryness. It is rich in vitamins, amino acids and phytosterols, so it serves as an anti-inflammatory ingredient too.
Here is a quick guide on the benefits of aloe vera gel for the face and hair. While it makes for a great DIY ingredient, there are many aloe-based products that are worth trying. Ahead, are some of our favourites.
If you are yet to figure out everyone’s obsession with these succulent leaves, read on and you will know why.
Aloe Vera Benefits
Research suggests, there are multiple benefits of aloe vera, so here’s a lowdown on some of the benefits of aloe vera for the skin.
- So you abandoned your sunscreen at the beach and now you’ve got a bad sunburn? Aloe to the rescue. Aloe vera gel contains aloin, an anti-inflammatory compound chock-full of antioxidants that help sunburned skin heal faster. It can work great for first- and second-degree burns.
- Dark spots are notorious for appearing unannounced. These stubborn marks which are usually an offshoot of acne, sun exposure or natural aging process can be made to gradually fade away with regular application of aloe vera.
- One of the key aloe vera benefits is its ability to nourish your skin. It retains moisture, giving you softer and moisturised skin. Aloe vera is also known to restore skin’s radiance and reduce signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.
- It can work wonders for your hair too. It deeply nourishes the scalp and makes your hair smooth and frizz-free. Apply it as a pre-wash hair mask or just use it as a leave-in conditioner for smooth and silky hair
- Ever tried using aloe vera for acne? If you haven’t, you should. Thanks to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera makes for an ideal natural ingredient to supplement your acne medications. It helps calm inflamed skin, prevent breakouts and treat acne faster.
- You can’t avoid fine lines and wrinkles but you surely can put them off to an extent and how? The compounds in aloe vera stimulate the production of collagen and elastin fibres that help skin stay supple and firm. In other words, it restores skin’s elasticity and reduces fine lines.
- Calming irritated and inflamed skin is one of the widely-known aloe vera benefits. Aloe vera gel is rich in anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help to diminish redness, infection, rashes and itchiness. Your scalp is an extension of your facial skin, so using aloe vera for hair can also help soothe itching and flaking in the scalp.
- If you’ve got a wound, simply take the pulp of an aloe leaf and gently heat it over flames until warm before rubbing it on the affected area. The compounds in this leaf aid cell regeneration and help wounds heal faster.
- According to a study, aloe vera is powered with antioxidants, it has innumerable benefits when consumed fresh and in moderation. It can control blood pressure and sugar levels. It can also boost metabolism and improve digestive health when taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
How To Make Aloe Vera Gel At Home
To make pure aloe vera gel, take one aloe leaf and wash it thoroughly. Cut its ragged sides, peel the outer green cover and use a spoon to extract the white aloe pulp. Blend it with other ingredients or juice it and apply directly over irritated areas.
How To Use Aloe Vera For Skin
Here’s how you can use aloe vera for your skin.
Eyebrow Gel: The moisturising and nourishing powers of aloe vera can calm and tame your eyebrows. It conditions the hair follicles and facilitates faster growth. It’s an inexpensive, albeit effective product to use for optimal eyebrow health.
Shaving Gel: Instead of using shaving foams, soaps, creams, and oils, you can simply use aloe vera gel. It will soften the hair, making it easy for the razor to glide over your skin, leaving it feeling ultra-hydrated, smooth, and hair-free.
Hair Mask Gel: Aloe vera can also double as a great hair-masking ingredient. Simply apply aloe vera gel to your scalp and massage it thoroughly. Cover your head with clear cling wrap and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will calm the scalp, strengthen the roots, and leave your hair super soft and smooth.
Foot Gel: Craving a salon-esque pedicure at home for dry and cracked feet? Summon aloe vera gel to the rescue. It can hydrate cracked ankles, moisturise your cuticles, and make your feet softer. You can apply aloe vera gel to your feet and cover it with plastic for the essence to seep into your skin.
Joint Gel: Our joints, especially the knee and elbow joint, experience extreme hyperpigmentation due to constant movement and extra skin. Loose skin scrunched up together gives the appearance of dark skin; think of a deflated balloon. Applying aloe vera gel helps reduce the darkness and dryness around the joints.
Ice Contour Gel: Contouring the skin with a gua sha tool or ice roller is a natural way to give your face the shape you desire. Swap out serum and replace it with aloe vera gel the next time you use a face sculpting tool. Not only will this help you chisel your face, but it’ll also offer a soothing and hydrating effect.
How To Use Aloe Vera Gel On Face
Take some aloe vera gel and apply it to your face; make sure your face is completely cleansed before you apply the aloe vera to savour its full benefits. You can also chill the aloe vera gel beforehand for a soothing, cooling effect. Massage the gel into your skin in an upward motion using your fingertips. You can also make a face pack using aloe vera gel and keep it on overnight for an ultimate hydration boost. Rinse your face thoroughly to remove any residue and proceed with your regular CSMS skincare routine. You can practise this once a week for improved skin luminosity, hydration, and radiance.
DIY Recipes With Aloe Vera
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Whisk It With Hibiscus
Take 4–5 hibiscus flowers and leaves in a grinder. Pour four tablespoons of aloe vera juice or one tablespoon of aloe vera pulp and blend it to make a fine mixture. Apply it to your scalp and strands and leave it for 45 minutes. Wash off with a mild shampoo and follow it up with a conditioner. Hibiscus and aloe vera are potent ingredients to prevent hair fall and nourish your scalp. Use once a week for long and luxurious hair.
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Add Essential Oil
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil or neem oil with two tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel and apply this mask to your scalp. Leave for 45 minutes and wash it off with a mild shampoo. Aloe and tea tree oil have antibacterial and antifungal properties that can curb dandruff and treat itchiness and flaking.
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Nourish The Skin
To nourish dry skin, take a few slices of cucumber, one tablespoon of pure aloe vera gel and one teaspoon of honey. Blend and apply the smooth paste to your skin for 20 min. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. Honey and cucumber soothe dry and dehydrated skin and nourish it from within.
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Rejuvenate Your Skin
Aloe vera gel can be used as a moisturiser, night cream and dark spot corrector. Take a spoonful of aloe vera gel and apply a thick layer on your face. Let it absorb in the skin and wash off if needed.
Aloe Vera Gel Application
If you want to take the at-home route, you can simply slice an aloe leaf at its base and drain it of its yellow-brown sap before use. Here’s how to use aloe vera for the face.
Step 1: Using a knife, peel the outer layer of the leaf and scoop out the gel into a cup with the help of a spoon.
Step 2: Blend the aloe gel in a blender until it achieves a thick, even consistency.
Step 3: Add 2 tablespoons of Honey to the aloe juice and stir well.
Step 4: Gently massage this mixture on the face and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Rinse off with cold water.
If you listen closely enough, you’ll hear your skin thank you for the hydration boost!
Best Aloe Vera Gel Products
We’ve rounded up a list of promising skin care products that had us at Aloe. Here’s the scoop.
1. Aloe Vera For Redness
Nykaa Recommends: Himalaya Moisturizing Aloe Vera Face Gel
Comfort in a jar! This soothing formula will help your skin cool down after a long day outside thanks to this pure, unadulterated aloe vera gel. It prevents loss of moisture and strengthens the skin barrier while revitalising skin to its healthiest yet. Formulated for the face, arms and legs, it promises to energise stressed skin. Pro tip: Store this gel in your refrigerator before use for a more calming effect.
2. Aloe Vera For Acne
Nykaa Recommends: Iba Halal Care Advanced Activs Crystal Clear 48Hr Hydrating & Acne Fighting Aloe Vera Gel
Prone to acne? The Iba Halal Care Advanced Activs Crystal Clear 48Hr Hydrating & Acne Fighting Aloe Vera Gel is an all-in-one multi-targeted solution for clear, hydrated and acne-free skin. Think of it as your one-way ticket to lock in moisture and unlock hydrated skin. Free of alcohol and parabens, it also helps unclog pores to weed out impurities and ensure your skin successfully fights acne and breakouts.
3. Aloe Vera For Dry Skin
Nykaa Recommends: WOW Skin Science Aloe Vera Gel
WOW Skin Science Aloe Vera Gel, born from the purest gel extracts of ripe, robust and succulent Aloe Vera leaves, keeps dryness at bay, soothes inflammation and tightens pores. Besides, it helps reduce pigmentation and smoothen skin. As if all this weren’t enough, it also works as a bottled first aid that helps heal wounds thanks to its cooling formula. And trust us, it works way better than pressing the cold ice pack on your skin.
4. Aloe Vera For Dark Spots
Nykaa Recommends: Lakmé 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel
Pollution and other environmental stressors can wear out your skin while encouraging dark spots and blemishes. This is where the Lakmé 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel dives in as a rescuer to act as a barrier between pollution and your skin. Infused with pure Aloe Vera, it’s light, hydrating and non-sticky. Just pat and spread a pea-sized amount of this gel on your face after your shower for better absorption before you hit the roads.
5. Aloe Vera For Glowing Skin
Nykaa Recommends: Nykaa Skin Secrets Green Tea + Aloe Vera Sheet Mask
If the skin on your face spells dry and dull, the Nykaa Skin Secrets Green Tea + Aloe Vera Sheet Mask should ideally be your next buy. Why? Aloe Vera extracts calm troubled skin while delivering a major hydrating boost and Green Tea extracts work along to revive dull skin and improve complexion. Put it on your face anytime you crave a little hydration.
6. Aloe Vera For Pigmentation
Nykaa Recommends: VILVAH 100% Pure & Cold Pressed Aloe vera Gel
How about a therapeutic hydrator that quenches thirsty skin whilst also treating pigmentation? The VILVAH 100% Pure & Cold Pressed Aloe vera Gel hugs every inch of your body to soothe irritated skin and promote glowing skin. It works especially great for oily and acne-prone skin as it’s lightweight and helps remove pesky scars that acne leaves behind. Simply take a scoop out of the glass container and slather it across the skin for a cool burst of refreshing hydration.
7. Aloe Vera For Sunburn
Nykaa Recommends: Mamaearth Aloe Vera Gel With Pure Aloe Vera & Vitamin E
If an Aloe Vera and Vitamin E had a baby, this would be it – Mamaearth Aloe Vera Gel With Pure Aloe Vera & Vitamin E. It unifies the hydrating and soothing properties of Aloe with the nourishing properties of Tocopherol to coddle troubled skin whether it's rashes or sunburn. Simple and effective, this should be your pick-me-up after a long day at the beach.
8. Aloe Vera Juice For Skin
Nykaa Recommends: Kapiva Ayurveda Aloe Vera Juice
If you are done slathering products on your skin and would rather drink your way to a healthier complexion, the Kapiva Ayurveda Aloe Vera Juice can help you with that. Sourced from the pulp of the best Aloe Vera plants grown in the deserts of Jodhpur, this pure juice is your one-way ticket to unlocking radiant skin. Also nice: It flushes out toxins from the bloodstream which again translates to better skin.
9. Aloe Vera For Soft Skin
Nykaa Recommends: NIVEA Aloe Vera Gel Body Lotion Non Sticky Feel, 24 Hours Hydration
This non-sticky, quick-absorbing formula is meant to keep your skin from drying for up to 24 hours. The NIVEA Aloe Vera Gel Body Lotion is a one-of-a-kind gel lotion that is accessible, effective, and innovative for Indian skin. It offers ultimate hydration with an icky-sticky feeling.
10. Aloe Vera For Smooth hair
Nykaa Recommends: Khadi Natural Green Tea & Aloevera Hair Conditioner SLS & Paraben Free
We all use sunscreen for our face, but what about our hair which also goes through the harsh UV rays and gets damaged? This hair conditioner from Khadi Natural is made with green tea and aloe vera and provides complete nourishment and hydration to your hair strands. It also offers protection from the harmful UV rays of the sun while keeping your hair soft, smooth, and silky.
Parting Thoughts
When it comes down to hydration, aloe vera is a magical ingredient. Not only does it add moisture but it also improves moisture retention, fights sun damage, reverses dark spots, and decreases inflammation. Beyond the benefits it offers to your skin, aloe vera is a great ingredient for consumption, replenishing your body with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The best part? It’s very easy to incorporate aloe vera into your daily routine with the right set of products.
FAQs On Aloe Vera For Skin
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Recommend aloe vera juice for skin.
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What are aloe vera soap benefits? Suggest good aloe vera soaps for the body.
The regular use of an aloe vera soap treats dryness and keeps your skin conditioned. An aloe vera soap maintains moisture balance with its generous dose of hydration and calms irritated skin.
Nykaa Recommends:
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What Does Aloe Vera Do To Your Skin?
Aloe vera can deeply nourish the skin, making it super soft and supple. Aloe vera gel for skin is highly recommended to treat conditions like acne, eczema, sunburn, and dryness.
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Is Sleeping With Aloe Vera On Your Face Good?
One of the most widely known benefits of aloe vera gel is skin cell repair. So, there is no harm in using aloe vera gel on your face and keeping it on overnight. You can use it as a night cream and wash it off the next morning. However, if you are using it for the first time, make sure to do a patch test before leaving it on your skin overnight.
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Which Aloe Vera Gel Is Best For Hair?
Using freshly extracted aloe vera for hair is the best. Using packaged aloe vera gel is also an option. However, you must ensure that they contain only pure aloe vera and are free from preservatives, colours, and chemicals.
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Are Aloe Vera Drinks Healthy?
The benefits of aloe vera aren’t limited to your skin. They are rich in antioxidants and help in lowering the oxidative stress in your body. So, aloe vera drinks are healthy and safe to consume. However, you must drink it in moderation and after consulting your doctor.
