9 Benefits to Using Aloe Vera Gel
It happens every summer. You plan a day by the pool or having fun on the beach with the best intentions to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours. But once you’re actually there, you start having fun, maybe you take a quick nap on your lounge chair and you forget all about the sunscreen. At the moment, you don’t think much of it. Your skin doesn’t look irritated, so you think maybe one layer of sunscreen was enough. Until you get back home and realize you’re now a bright shade of red. You know you need aloe vera gel immediately.
Most of us can relate to that cool, soothing feeling of aloe vera gel on sunburned skin, but there are other ways to use it in your daily routine. Try adding aloe vera gel to your beauty and grooming routine to start seeing healthier hair, brighter skin and so much more. We created a list of our favorite ways to use aloe vera gel and the incredible benefits that come with it.
Help Heal Yourself with Aloe Vera Gel
We know that aloe vera gel can help soothe irritated skin but what you may not know is that it can help with minor wounds so you feel better faster. Use aloe vera gel as a topical treatment on small cuts, scrapes, and minor burns for instant relief.
Of course, you shouldn’t rely on aloe vera gel for deep cuts or severe burns, but it’s great to include in your first aid kit for small issues you’d take care of at home. To use aloe vera gel for relief, first clean the area like you normally would then apply naturally soothing aloe vera gel before putting on the bandage.
If you’ve never used aloe vera gel before, it’s always good to do a small test patch to make sure you’re not allergic. Aloin and barbaloin are two natural compounds in aloe vera gel that some people may be sensitive to.
Get More from Your Moisturizer with Aloe Vera Gel
Finding the right moisturizer is a daunting task. Even the most expensive moisturizers on the market have issues. Some leave your face too greasy, others don’t hydrate enough, and worst of all, you might find out that your moisturizer contains chemicals that irritate your skin. We’re here to tell you, aloe vera gel is the answer to your moisturizer problems.
Because aloe vera gel is natural and straight from the plant, you avoid adding irritating chemicals to your skin. In fact, aloe vera gel is mostly water, which is really what your skin needs. Use aloe vera gel to deliver moisture to your skin, then follow with a natural emollient like jojoba or fractionated coconut oil to “seal” it in. Your skin will feel hydrated and refreshed without greasiness from heavy creams.
Clearer Skin Using Aloe Vera Gel
Dealing with acne can be traumatic for your skin, but many popular acne spot treatments include harsh chemicals that can be rough on your face. If you’re looking for a softer, more natural solution, try aloe vera gel instead because the antiseptics and salicylic acids in it can help reduce acne-causing bacteria.
Aloe vera gel can also be used as an alcohol-free toner to help tighten pores. Other toners (even natural ones like witch hazel and cider vinegar) can be drying for some skin types. If dryness from toners is a problem for you, switching to aloe vera gel might be the answer. Also available in Aloe Vera Juice.
Remove Makeup Using Aloe Vera Gel
Removing your makeup at the end of the night presents all kinds of challenges, especially if you have sensitive skin. You don’t want harsh chemicals on your face so you try weaker removers. Unfortunately, that leaves you with makeup residue that gets all over your pillow or worse, causes you to break out.
A quick and easy natural fix is to combine aloe vera gel with jojoba oil. Try using an aloe vera gel and jojoba mix to replace your current makeup remover. This natural mixture is all-around better for your face because the aloe vera gel helps get all the makeup residue off your skin and the jojoba oil mimics the natural sebum your skin creates to help keep it moisturized.
Everyday Cleansing With Aloe Vera Gel
Using aloe vera gel for acne spot treatment and removing makeup is one thing, but can aloe vera gel replace your everyday face cleanser and body wash? Absolutely. In fact, it’s one of our favorite options available for cleansing skin.
As we mentioned, the antiseptic qualities of aloe vera gel help reduce bacteria on your skin, not just on your face, but on your whole body. Homemade aloe vera gel cleansers are also more gentle for sensitive skin. As an added bonus, you can make your own aloe vera gel cleanser at home for much cheaper than some of the fancy chemical-filled face wash and body wash options out there.
To make your own all-natural body wash, simply mix aloe vera gel jojoba oil, liquid castile soap, cosmetic clay, and your favorite essential oil to get your new signature face & body wash. We suggest using a peppermint essential oil to complement the fresh, cool essence of aloe vera gel, but almost any other essential oil will work too!
Aloe Vera Gel Clarifying Shampoo
The benefits of aloe vera gel go beyond just skin— it’s great for your hair as well. We all deal with oil and product build-up from time to time. This leaves hair looking dull and feeling brittle or sticky. Clarifying shampoos can be full of chemicals that hurt your hair more than help it but with aloe vera gel, you can deeply cleanse with natural products instead.
Another reason to use aloe vera gel as a clarifying shampoo is to help your conditioner work better. Too much product buildup can block moisture from getting into your hair strands, which is why dirty hair can start to feel very dry and brittle. Dry, brittle hair breaks much easier than hydrated and conditioned hair. Using aloe vera gel to help your conditioner do its work can be a preventative measure to ensure that your hair has the best chance to stay healthy for years to come.
Condition Scalp with Aloe Vera Gel
After reading all the positive benefits of aloe vera gel, it might make sense that it acts as an awesome conditioner for your scalp as well and is particularly helpful if you suffer from dandruff.
There are several common skin conditions with itchy and flaky scalp symptoms that cause dandruff. Soothing and hydrating your scalp with aloe vera gel can help manage dandruff-causing symptoms. We also love that aloe vera gel conditions your scalp without leaving a layer of grease like many traditional conditioners.
Fight Aging with Aloe Vera Gel
The same properties that make aloe vera gel great for minor wounds, may also be why aloe vera gel has a reputation for anti-aging qualities. Naturally rich in vitamin C and E, aloe vera gel is thought to promote skin elasticity and increase collagen levels. With regular use, aloe vera gel can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles for a smoother complexion. The sooner you start using aloe vera gel, the better chance you give your skin to appear youthful, bright, and full of elasticity.
Use Aloe Vera Gel to Pamper Yourself
We all deserve a pamper session every once in a while. Actually, we deserve a pamper session as often as we want, but visiting a spa on a regular basis can be hard on your wallet. If you’re looking for the same kind of treatment you can do at home, try these aloe vera gel face mask recipes.
Mix aloe vera gel and honey to create a face mask that helps fight acne and reduce inflammation. Or try a simple mixture of aloe vera gel and cucumber for dryness. Just add the two ingredients together in a blender and apply to your face while you answer emails or binge-watch your favorite show. Most of these face masks only need to be applied for 15-20 minutes. You can even give yourself a quick pamper session before you get ready for work in the morning to feel rejuvenated all day long.
We’re constantly finding new uses for the incredible benefits of aloe vera gel. If you’re a brand new fan and want to learn more, check out our amazing resource all about aloe vera gel for everything from history to useful step-by-step DIY recipes and how-tos.