The incredible Aloe Vera needs no introduction. Its benefits are well-known, which is why it has earned a permanent place in many a household. Be it a sunburn or a bad case of acne, aloe vera is a treatment you can always rely on. But, did you know that the humble aloe vera has so much more to offer? Aloe vera is a succulent plant and stores water in its leaves, which are thick and fleshy. The leaves produce two substances – the gel, which is more or less water with several other nutrients mixed in, and the sap, which is also known as aloe latex.
Aloe Vera Benefits
Benefits For Skin
Prevents Signs Of Aging
Moisturizes Skin
Reduces Acne And Helps Lighten Blemishes
Helps With Sunburns And Reduces Tan
Heals External Wounds And Insect Bites
Reduces Stretch Marks
Benefits For Hair
Promotes Hair Growth
Reduces Dandruff
Maintains pH Balance Of The Scalp
Conditions Hair
Benefits For Health
Reduces Inflammation
Eases Heartburn And Acid Reflux
Reduces Cholesterol And Regulates Blood Sugar
Maintains Oral Health
Builds Immunity
Lowers Risk Of Cancer
Helps In Treating Hemorrhoids
Benefits For Skin
Aloe vera soap and gel come loaded with several nutrients like glycerin, sodium palmate, sodium carbonate, sodium palm kemelate, sorbitol, etc. These are good for the skin and nourish your skin from within, giving you the skin that glows with health.
● Prevents Premature Signs Of Aging
Wrinkles and fine lines are bound to appear as you age. But, other factors may expedite what is a natural process. Aloe vera helps in preventing these early signs of aging.
How To Use
A moisturizing pack made with aloe vera, olive oil, and oatmeal can make your skin smoother and softer.
What You Need
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
½ teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon instant oatmeal
What You Have To Do
Add all the ingredients in a bowl, and mix till they form a paste.
Apply the paste on your face and keep it on for 30 minutes.
Rinse with cold water.
Why Does It Work
As your skin ages, it tends to get drier and loses its elasticity. This makes it more susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines. Aloe moisturizes the skin, and it also helps remove dead cells. In fact, research has proven that aloe vera improves the elasticity of skin and makes it smoother and more supple.
● Moisturizes Skin
Aloe vera gel has been touted by many as their go-to moisturizer. It has shown miraculous effects on oily and acne-prone skin.
How To Use
Aloe vera gel can be directly extracted from the plant and applied to your skin. Alternatively, there are plenty of ready-to-use aloe gels available in the market. But if you are opting for them, make sure that the aloe vera gel in it constitutes 90 to 100 percent of the product.
What You Need
An Aloe vera leaf
What You Have To Do
Peel off the outer layer of the aloe leaf to get to the gel.
Scoop out the gel and store it in a container.
Gently massage the gel on your face. Store the rest in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life.
Why Does It Work
Aloe vera increases the water content in your skin, and leaves it hydrated without making it greasy.
● Reduces Acne And Helps Lighten Blemishes
The aloe gel can work wonders on your skin by reducing acne and clearing the blemishes and scars that get left behind.
How To Use
Aloe vera mixed with a few drops of lemon juice, can help in the reduction of acne and acne scars. Adding lemon juice is important because lemon possesses skin lightening properties that can help with blemishes.
What You Need
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
2 to 3 drops lemon juice
What You Have To Do
Add the lemon juice to the aloe vera gel and combine them together.
Massage the gel on your face. This is best used as an overnight treatment.
Alternative: You can even use a branded aloe vera soap as well.
Why Does It Work
Aloe vera is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent because of the presence of gibberellins and auxins. This helps reduce your acne. It also contains polysaccharides that stimulate the growth of new cells. This speeds up the healing process for acne and prevents scarring.
Caution
The use of lemon can increase your sensitivity to the sun.Using a sunblock before stepping out in intense sunlight is advisable.
●Helps With Sunburns
Aloe vera is widely used as an after-sun treatment because it is soothing and reduces inflammation.
How To Use
Aloe vera gel can be applied directly to the sunburned area.
Why Does It Work
Aloe vera, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties, reduces the redness brought on by exposure to UV rays and soothes the skin (6). It acts on the epithelial skin layer and provides a protective layer to the skin for retaining moisture. Since aloe vera contains a lot of antioxidants and nutritional properties, the skin is able to prevent the moisture from escaping, which in turn heals the sunburn quickly.
●Heals External Wounds And Insect Bites
Why Does It Work
Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, which makes it effective against wounds and insect bites.
How To Use
Aloe vera gel can be used as a topical treatment for small cuts, bruises, and insect bites. It can also be used as an aftershave lotion to soothe irritated skin.
● Reduces Stretch Marks
Why Does It Work
With the passing of age, our skin expands and contracts just like elastic. When the skin stretches very far, like during the pregnancy or due to rapid weight gain, the elasticity of the skin gets damaged, which results in ugly stretch marks. These marks are nothing but small tears on the skin layers, which can be healed with the regular use of aloe vera soap.
Benefits For Hair
● Promotes Hair Growth
Aloe vera is not just great for your skin; it also has a number of benefits for your hair. Topical application of aloe vera can help promote hair growth.
How To Use
Aloe vera, when used along with castor oil, can help with hair growth.
What You Need
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon castor oil
What You Have To Do
Mix the aloe vera gel and the castor oil.
Gently massage the concoction into your scalp.
Keep it on overnight, and rinse with a gentle shampoo.
Why Does It Work
Aloe vera removes dead cells from the scalp, which allows your hair to grow.
● Reduces Dandruff
Aloe vera is a widely used ingredient in many commercial shampoos and conditioners. This is because it works wonders for dandruff and dandruff-related problems such as an itchy scalp.
Why Does It Work
Dandruff can be caused by a number of reasons. An oily scalp, accumulation of dead cells, or even an infection can be the cause. And aloe helps out on all fronts. It removes dead cells from your scalp that can clog your hair. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which fight against infections and soothe the scalp.
●Maintains pH Balance Of The Scalp
When the pH balance of your hair is disrupted, it can lead to endless hair problems. Aloe can help maintain the pH balance of your hair.
Why Does It Work
The pH of your scalp is 5.5, which makes it fall on the acidic side. A lot of the commercial hair products, especially shampoos, contain surfactants which can alter the pH of your scalp and hair because they are alkaline in nature. This can result in damaged and unruly hair (8). Aloe Vera helps restore your scalp’s pH balance, which promotes healthier and better hair.
●Conditions Hair
Aloe vera can put even the best conditioners to shame. It is moisturizing in nature, and hence, strengthens your hair and adds shine.
How To Use
You can use aloe vera gel as a conditioner right after you shampoo, or even as a leave-in treatment.
Why Does It Work
Aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes that remove dead cells.It helps in cell regeneration, which helps repair your hair. It also infuses your hair with moisture, leaving it smooth and glossy.