Aloe vera is an incredible wonder plant. Used since antiquity as a medicinal herb, it is a versatile plant that helps nourish the body inside and out. While it is nutrient rich and can be ingested to aid in improving digestion and boost immunity, aloe vera is an incredible topical gel that can be used to enhance skin and hair.
Aloe vera can be found and is abundant in warmer climes. It is mainly composed of long, pointy, spiny/thorny leaves with its outer skin layer known as a rind and a latex barrier underneath that houses a gel-like substance that fills most of the thick center of the leaf. See the graphic associated with the post.
It’s the gel inside the leaf that can provide us with substantial skin benefits. If you have an Aloe Vera plant at home and want to use it for its wellness constituents, you’ll want to select its fatter leaves (or stems) first and cut it close to the base using a knife or pair of scissors. You can pull the leaves from the base, but it is cleaner to cut it so as not to damage other leaves in the process. Aloe leaves have spines or thorns, so be careful when handling them, as they can “bite”. Once you cut the leaf from the plant, you can also cut the thorns from the leaf by carefully slicing down the outer edges of the leaf. You can then cut down the middle to expose the gel for use.
To make it safer to handle, you can use a knife also to slice the thorns from the edge of the leaf. Then slice the inside of leaf in half and keep the gel side up. It is easiest to use a spoon to scrape the gel out of the leaf and put it in a sealable container. Once all the gel is extracted, you’ll want to refrigerate it for freshness. If this process is too intensive, you can buy aloe vera gel at your local market or grocery store. It’s always wise to have some on hand.
So, here are the top reasons why aloe vera gel is great for your skin…..
Aloe Vera gel has amazing cooling properties and is well known as an anti-inflammatory. This makes it one of the best natural remedies for sunburned skin. Applying aloe gel helps maintain a protective layer for the skin and allows it to retain moisture. It’s antioxidant rich and has minerals that boost skin healing, so now you can maintain your tanned summer glow.
Aloe Vera is an awesome moisturizer and, even better, doesn’t leave a greasy film on the face and the skin, like most moisturizers tend to do. It also unclogs pores and softens the skin, making it a preferred option for those who want “clean / green” products.
Aloe vera gel is wonderful as an aftershave treatment because it hydrates skin and heals razor burn, along with small nicks & cuts. It also helps treat dry skin that sometimes occurs from shaving process.
It’s a known fact that aloe vera is highly beneficial for reducing the recovery time and healing burns, cuts, and other injuries. It is a great natural application for 1st and 2nd-degree burns, and has been shown to speed up skin cell reproduction as much as eight times. Aloe Vera can also penetrate into the epidermis faster than water. It’s an amazing plant for rejuvenating skin!
As you might have surmised by now, aloe vera gel has incredible anti-aging properties with its abundant beta-carotene, vitamin C and E. It is also anti-inflammatory and contains antimicrobial properties. Additionally, it helps to increase production of collagen in the body and aids with skin elasticity, while reducing fine lines. It’s a great addition to anyone’s daily skincare routine.
Those who suffer from acne will find a friend in aloe vera. Not only does it help with cleansing, its antimicrobial properties treat pimples without damaging skin. It is a natural antiseptic that protects against bacteria. Aloe vera contains polysaccharides and gibberellins, which help grow new cells, reduce inflammation and tame redness from irritation. It also functions as an astringent and reduces the size of pores, flushes out the excess sebum, microbes, and dirt. It's great for cleaning skin.
Because Aloe Vera contains substantial natural powers to boost skin cell reproduction, reduce redness, and fight skin inflammation, it is a perfect treatment for stretch marks and acne scars. You can also treat freckles and lighten age spots, by adding some lemon juice to the gel mixture. It’s a perfect home remedy for glowing skin.
As you can see, aloe vera is an amazing plant to use for topical applications in so many ways. What other ways have you used aloe vera for skin?
Cheers to Living Young Ever After!
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