You could be someone who has overly sensitive skin and want to know how to tame it. Alternatively, you might be a person who spends a lot of time in the sun and wants a remedy to cool down after a hard day’s work or you might be suffering from severe acne. Whatever your woes may be, aloe vera has a cure for them all and with no side effects.
Silken Skin: Aloe vera is used as a moisturizing agent along with vitamin E or glycerin. It can also be used as a cream to apply overnight. Application of aloe vera as a moisturizer before putting on makeup can prevent the skin from drying or cracking up. Aloe vera’s moisturizing properties do not give the skin an oily feel so it can be used on oily skin with equal ease. The next time you buy a cream from a cosmetics store, check for aloe vera on the ingredients list.
Blemish cure: Aloe is suitable for those whose skins have large pores and works well to soften acne scars as well. The wonder herb’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help the skin heal fast. Magnesium lactate present in aloe helps to reduce the itching sensation caused by acne. Its astringent property removes excess oil and dirt from the skin to prevent further acne breakout. It reduces the size of inflamed nodules to relieve pain caused by the swelling.
Sun Protection: Aloe vera provides pollution protection and reduces the harmful effects of the sun. So if you love hitting the beach but are scared of damaging your skin use a sunscreen that contains aloe vera. Magnesium lactate of aloe is also effective in treating skin rashes and sunburns.
No Marks: The flip side of most pregnancies and weight loss regimes is unsightly stretch marks. Rubbing aloe vera gel directly on the affected parts helps in lightening the marks and brightening the skin. Make a mixture with one-fourth cup of aloe vera gel, oil from 10 vitamin E capsules and oil from five vitamins A capsule. Rub this mixture onto the skin until fully absorbed. Repeat this process daily.
Hair care: Aloe Vera is synonymous with hair care as it has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It is used to treat dandruff and an itchy scalp as well. It has properties similar to menthol and that is why it works to cool the skin and the scalp. It also works well in preventing hair loss and in promoting shine and moisture in the hair.
Aloe Recipes for Beauty
Take any exotic beauty ingredient and you will find Cleopatra’s name bonded with it. Indeed, the stunning Egyptian queen was the pioneer in experimenting with natural beauty products. Not surprisingly, it is believed that she used aloe vera gel as a part of her beauty regime. Even to this day, aloe vera is used as an active ingredient in moisturizers, face washes, soaps and sunscreen lotions due to its moisturizing, curative and calming properties.
Here are three simple aloe concoctions you can try and rustle up at home for healthy hair, face and skin.
Organic Scrub
You need
2 tbsp fresh aloe vera pulp
2 tbsp brown sugar
1tsp lemon juice
Mix the ingredients well and use as a pre-body rinse scrub in the bath. Rubbing along your elbows and knees with this scrub will help soften and lighten these troublesome areas. Please note that these ingredients should be blended into a smooth paste and it should be only applied to damp skin. Using this scrub on dry skin may cause itching and minor cuts can be caused as sugar is abrasive and therefore should be used gently.
Aloe Cucumber Face Mask
You need
4 tbsp of pure aloe vera gel
2 tbsp of plain yogurt
6 tbsp of fresh cucumber juice
Mix all the ingredients well and gently apply to face and neck. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and then use a final cold water rinse to close your pores. Pat face dry with a towel. This yogurt and cucumber aloe face mask moisturizes and cleanses while soothing the skin. It can be used once a week, or more for those with an extensive outdoor work routine.
Aloe Vera Hair Jelly
You Need
2 or 3 large thick aloe leaves
Using a sharp knife, cut the exterior of the leaf and collect the jelly in the leaf’s interior in a bowl. Puree the jelly in a blender and strain the jelly. Discard the white sediments and retain only the jelly. After washing your hair, massage the jelly thoroughly into your hair, from roots to tips. Let it sit in your hair for about five minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly.
Make full use of Aloe Vera to get a glowing skin and gorgeous hair!