If you’re someone who has multiple complaints about your skin, hair, and scalp, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to tell you about an ingredient that your grandma used when she was young and why shall you include it in your skincare routine. An aide to most of your skin issues is Aloe Vera. This wholesome plant is commonly found in the Indian kitchen for the plethora of benefits that it contains. In this blog, know why it is so popular, its benefits, how to use it in multiple ways, and much more.

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera is a medicinal herb that has been used for ages for its soothing property. It is generally used for minor cuts, abrasions, and wounds. It’s a rich gel that has been hailed as a cure-all ingredient. It is because the Aloe Vera gel has 99.5% water and the remaining 0.5% is packed with active constituents like amino acids, Vitamin A, C, D, and E, polysaccharides, phytosterols, and even minerals like zinc, potassium, and magnesium. So overall, a great addition to your skincare vanity.

What are its Benefits?

1. Slows down Ageing

As you age, the skin cells lose their ability to retain moisture. Aloe Vera helps you retain moisture and improve the elasticity of the skin. Aloe Vera has polysaccharides and gibberellins that help in the growth of skin cells. This prevents your skin from sagging. It even aids in a skin repair mechanism that helps you slow down signs of aging.

2. Moisturises

Because it is made of 99.5% water, it gives you hydration without that greasy feeling. The gel holds the uppermost skin layer together to give you that firm-looking skin. Aloe Vera, for the same, becomes a great moisturiser in dry weather when your skin is more likely to lose moisture.

3. Soothes Sunburn

Due to sunburn, your skin is bound to be irritated, dehydrated, and inflamed. When the harmful rays fall on your skin, it leads to transepidermal water loss (TEWL) where your skin loses water from your outermost layer of skin. This leaves your skin with nothing to protect it with, which is when your skin burns. Studies have proved that Aloe Vera has been useful in treating minor to second-degree burns as it contains phytosterols. Aloe Vera also helps you retain hydration, which makes it a perfect remedy for sunburns.

4. Heals the Wound

In case of small wounds, abrasions, or cuts, your skin cells are damaged in that area. Aloe Vera has the property to repair the skin by soothing the affected area. This helps in healing the wound.

5. Fights Infection and Reduces Acne

Aloe Vera gel also has Salicylic Acid that adds up to its antimicrobial property. It also has skin cells growth-promoting properties which it is also used as an astringent to get rid of dirt, dead skin, microbes, and excess sebum. All of these benefits your skin without drying it out. It is a life savior for acne-prone skin.

6. Fades Blemishes

Aloe Vera makes the perfect remedy for those who want to treat freckles, diminish age spots, acne scars, and stretch marks because it has skin-renewal and anti-inflammatory properties. Just apply it religiously to the affected area.

How to use Aloe Vera for Face?

One of the best fuss-free ways is to apply it directly. But in case you do not have the Aloe Vera plant, there are many Aloe Vera gels available in the market. However, make sure that you are not picking an Aloe Vera-based product that has alcohol. Alcohol dries your skin and hence negates the effect that Aloe Vera would have. We love Thyme Organic’s 99% Organic Aloe Vera Gel simply for giving us an option closest to the freshly squeezed Aloe Vera Gel.

You can also use an Aloe Vera-based face wash like Beardhood Green Tea & Charcoal Face Wash which is designed for men but of course, women can use it too on days when your skin has gone through a lot. It has the goodness of Charcoal, Aloe Vera and Vitamin B9.

DIY Tip:

To make a simple mask to treat all your skin woes, mix Aloe Vera gel with mashed banana, one drop of Tea Tree oil, and honey. The Tea Tree oil that we swear by is Clay’s Pure Tea Tree Oil for its pureness. This takes care of inflammation, redness, acne, and acne wounds. If this sounds like too much work for you, we’d say that your best option in the market is Prakriti Herbals Anti-Acne Gel that has Cinnamon, Turmeric, and Aloe Vera making it a power punch for your skin.

How to Use Aloe Vera for Body?

If you stay in a polluted city or you have fragile skin that is easily wounded, Aloe Vera is your savior. Pick a body lotion and body wash that has Aloe Vera as the key ingredient. The benefit of such products is that they will less likely show you an adverse reaction due to Aloe Vera’s soothing property. Our best pick is Faith in Nature’s Aloe Vera Body Wash and a lotion to swear by would be Health Horizons Aloe Vera & Hemp Body Butter which is a perfect recipe for the lush glow.

If you shave your body, then you must calm your skin afterward since shaving also means light exfoliation. Slap on some aftershave gel/lotion to ensure that your skin soothes. We’d recommend Prakriti Herbals Mint Cucumber Aloe Vera Aftershave Gel that has all the hydrating and soothing properties fit for your skin after a good shave. It can be used by men too after shaving the face.

DIY Tip:

Smash some mint leaves and cucumber, make its juice. Add Aloe Vera gel to this with cinnamon powder and honey. Make a fine paste and use it as a mask for your body.

How to use Aloe Vera for Hair?

During climate change or the summer season, our scalp is easily irritated and this leads to dandruff. Our best bet is on Aloe Vera to solve this problem. Did you know that since Aloe Vera has Salicylic Acid, it can slightly exfoliate your skin and the polysaccharides in it, helps to grow new skin cells? Not only this, but Aloe Vera also contains Vitamins that help you strengthen the hair strands. This way, it helps clean your scalp and promotes a healthy scalp for your hair growth.

We strongly recommend Faith in Nature’s Anti-Dandruff Aloe Vera Shampoo and Faith in Nature Anti-Dandruff Aloe Vera Conditioner .

DIY Tip:

Smash a cucumber. Strain it to extract its juice. Mix this juice with Aloe Vera gel and some rose water. Apply this on your scalp for 30 minutes before washing your hair. If this sounds like too much work, simply use Prakriti Herbals Itchy Scalp Control Cucumber Aloe Vera Hair Gel that does the same job!

When and Which Skin type can use Aloe Vera?

Yes, it is. It is less likely to show you any adverse reaction since it is a medicinal herb. However, we’d still stick to the rule of patch testing before using it. If you experience slight itching, any hives, or rashes forming up, then you must immediately stop its use and consult a dermatologist to get help with the adverse reaction.

Aloe Vera-based products can be used in the day time as well as night time. However, if you’re applying pure Aloe Vera gel as a quick face mask, you should use it at night before your PM skincare routine.

Sure as you read this article, you may be fully convinced of the power that Aloe Vera holds and why it is used overages. Aloe Vera soothes, repairs, and revives your skin cells to give you that firm and glowing skin. It suits all skin types and comes in handy for almost all skin issues due to its natural composition. There is no question as to why it is hailed as a cure-all medicinal herb.

- Divya Salvi