There’s a reason so many people turn to aloe vera gel to soothe a painful sunburn: The plant is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and irritation, fight bacteria, and deeply moisturize parched skin.
Aloe vera consists of triangular leaves that contain three layers, with the innermost layer containing 99 percent water and an abundance of beneficial nutrients. That’s why you’ll find tons of creams, capsules, soaps, and sprays enriched with either the gel or the pulp of the plant.
But scientific studies on the benefits of aloe vera are mixed. Because aloe contains so many different properties, it’s hard to focus on each one specifically. Still, most dermatologists agree that the aloe vera’s properties are very promising, especially when applied topically as skin care.
The following aloe vera uses are only as good as the product you buy. The higher the percentage of aloe vera in your bottle, the better. Of course, using your own plant-derived aloe vera will always reap the best results, because you’ll have the pure ingredient without anything else to get in the way.
What’s the best way to use aloe vera to its full potential? Stay right here – we’ll be covering the aloe vera uses and benefits that are worth a try in this video.
1. Moisturize your skin
When you crack open an aloe vera leaf, you’ll find a gel-like consistency that’s made up of mostly water, as well as a wealth of beneficial nutrients for dry skin. This includes nourishing vitamin E and skin-brightening vitamin C, antioxidants that can strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier. The result? A softer, smoother, and healthier-looking complexion.
2. Soothe a sunburn
Aloe vera has pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe a sunburn – which is why it’s such a popular go-to remedy for when you spend too much time out under harsh rays. It contains sugars that play a role in collagen synthesis and contribute to wound healing. These sugars also help bind moisture to the skin, which helps treat the dryness that often comes with too much sun.
3. Fight acne
In addition to its antifungal and antibacterial compounds, aloe vera contains salicylic acid, an exfoliating ingredient that unclogs pores. Plus, it can help moisturize dry patches that result from harsh acne medications. While more research needs to be done to truly understand how aloe interacts with acne, it’s a popular natural remedy that yields positive results for many people.
4. Remove your makeup
Because aloe vera is often gentle on the skin, moisturizing, and has a gel-like consistency, it could be a good, natural option for removing makeup. Aloe is also a much kinder-to-the-environment alternative to makeup wipes, which contain tiny microplastics and take centuries to break down.
Simply squeeze a dollop of 100 percent aloe vera gel onto a cotton ball and swipe away the day for a simple and effective alternative to greasy oils. To be totally safe, make sure you do a patch test on your arm before applying to your face to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction to it.
5. Ease eczema and psoriasis
Aloe vera has been one of the most important plants used in folk medicine. It is traditionally used for wound healing, to relieve itching and swelling, as well as for its anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it may be helpful in easing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
6. Make a natural shaving cream
Because aloe vera is hydrating and has a slippery texture, it makes a great natural alternative to expensive shaving gels. For a nice, close shave, you can use it on its own or combine with other nourishing ingredients like vitamin E.
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