Aloe Vera, the “wonder plant”, has been a key ingredient for many skincare brands for decades. It is also an integral part of Ayurvedic medicines and has been used for over a century in different food supplements, weight loss tonics, skin/hair care remedies, and cosmetics. Recently the usage of Aloe Vera has gained a sudden momentum and it is being cultivated globally.
The usable part of the plant is the “aloe gel” and it is extracted from the leaves. While the medicinal value of the plant is unparalleled, it works wonders on multiple topical skin and hair related issues. The best part of aloe gel treatments is that they are very simple and can easily form a part of your daily ritual.
10 steps to use Aloe Vera for skin and hair
Here are ten simple ways to use Aloe Vera as a part of skin and hair care rituall:
- Sunscreen and sunburn
Rub aloe vera gel before leaving home in the day time, it acts as a natural sunscreen. The stem of the plants contains a watery composition of amino acids, minerals, vitamins and multiple oxidants which protects our epithelial skin from sunburn by adding an extra cover.
In case of healing sunburn and skin tanning, rub aloe gel directly on the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe gel reduce the harms caused by the harmful UV rays by removing dead cells. The aloe gel contains carboxypeptidase, which soothes the skin and accelerates new cells to grow.
- Moisture
The gooey, cold aloe gel revitalizes the skin and adds a new life to it. Our harmful skincare habits, usage of makeup and harsh products like bleach, makes the skin rough and prone to irritation. Directly using the aloe gel on face and skin hydrates the skin and restores its balance.
- Reduces Stretch Marks
Aloe Gel is also proven to reduce stretch marks. Pregnancy, frequent weight loss, and gain can make us have stretch marks, which doesn’t easily go away. To treat stretch marks at home, apply a healthy amount of aloe gel on the marks before bath and let it dry. The gel makes the skin tighter and bridges the pores.
- Reduces Skin Lightening
Aloe Vera can also treat skin lightening. It is used to treat our underarms and thighs which are areas which tend to get dark more frequently. Aloe vera gel, mixed with coconut oil, lemon, and baking powder is the perfect concoction to treat your dark underarms.
Apply the mix and wait for 30 minutes, before washing it out. You can see a visibly lighter skin within 7 days. Aloe vera contains an exfoliator, which gently peels the dead skin cell, while lignin in the gel helps the aloe nutrients to penetrates the skin and lighten the skin from within.
- Reduces acne and treats dark spots
Aloe Vera gel has worked wonders in the treatment of acne by reducing the oiliness of the skin. Mix aloe vera, with lemon juice and massage it gently over your skin. Lemon contains antioxidants and vitamin c, while aloe contains anti-inflammatory properties like gibberellins and auxins, which together work to fight the acne and reduces its growth.
- Anti-aging agent
Aloe vera is a key ingredient for anti-aging solutions. It is high in Vitamin C and E. it contains beta carotene which hydrates the skin and makes it firm. It tightens the skin and rejuvenates it to retain elasticity and maintain its shine. Aloe Vera has proven to boost the growth of collagen, which helps in the reduction of wrinkles and bringing back a natural bounce in the skin to make it more radiant and youthful.
- Softer lips and cracked heels
Aloe Vera works wonder on chapped and dry lips. Aloe Vera is watery and filled with antioxidants. Use it directly on the lips and let it dry. It will make the lips soft and supple and make it look fuller. Apply aloe vera on cracked heels before going to sleep. It bridges the cracks by removing the dead cell and enhancing new cell growth. It also makes the feet softer by working on the cracks overnight.
- Hair fall
Not only the skin but aloe vera works wonder on hair as well. Aloe vera mixed with castor oil, to reduce hair fall and promote hair growth. Next, mix 2 tablespoon of aloe gel with 1 tablespoon of castor oil. Massage it gently on the hair and leave it overnight. The gel removes the dead cells from the scalp and promotes new hair follicles to grow faster from the roots.
- Reduces dandruff
Aloe vera is a primary constituent in many shampoo and hair care products. The aloe gel treats itchiness and removes excess oil from the scalp. Massage aloe gel and lemon juice in your scalp 30 minutes before bath and relieve yourself from itchiness and dandruff. It restores the pH balance, adds natural shine and strengthens your hair.
- Acts as a hair conditioner
Not only hair fall and dandruff, but Aloe Vera also acts as a natural hair conditioner as well. Apply the aloe gel after using a shampoo and leave it to dry. The proteolytic enzymes help in new cell generation and repairs damaged hair. It adds moisture to the hair and makes it shiny and smooth naturally.
- Goodness of edible Aloe vera
Drinking aloe vera juice not only has health benefits like weight loss, heartburn relief, digestive cure, but it also adds to your skin care routine, by working from within.
Aloe vera juice acts as a hydration agent and reduces digestive problems, which are a source of skin related problems like pimple and acne. It flushes out impurities from the blood and detoxifies it naturally. The rich antioxidants in aloe vera protect the skin from conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis.
Aloe vera is enriched with compounds which are believed to neutralize the harmful effect of UV radiations and repair damaged skin by preventing fine lines, tans, and wrinkles.
Final thoughts
These were some of the best uses of Aloe vera to keep you healthy and fit. Try these out and let us know how it worked for you!