Cosmetic Benefits of Aloe vera
Aloe vera is an evergreen perennial plant which originates from the Arabian Peninsula. It grows in tropical, semi-tropical and arid climates of the world. The genus Aloe contains over 500 species of succulent plants, occurring naturally in North Africa. For easy identification of Aloe vera, the leaves are erect, succulent and form a dense rosette. The cosmetic benefits of Aloe vera goes far beyond you just rubbing some Aloe vera gel on your face only when you feel like it.
The most interesting part of this plant is the jelly substance – gel inside the leaves. This gel is known in terms of traditional folk remedy. For thousands of years, Aloe vera has been used to treat skin conditions. It’s important you know that not all Aloe plants are suitable for beauty or cosmetics uses. This is the reason you can’t just go out there to pluck any Aloe species for use.
A lot of people call all species of Aloe ʽAloe veraʼ, this is a very wrong thing to do. There are over 300 species of Aloe and not all of them have skincare benefits like Aloe vera itself. As a matter of fact, Aloe has just three or four species which have well known and widespread medicinal benefits. Here are the cosmetic benefits of Aloe vera:
For cleansing
Aloe vera serves as a good skin cleanser. Directly applying the gel on your face every morning is what I consider as skin pampering. Honestly speaking, I consider Aloe vera as one of the mildest skin plants that can be used to cleanse your skin. It is also good for all skin types because it isn’t acid in nature.
Usage: Rub fresh Aloe vera gel on your face every morning. Leave on for an hour before washing off with soap and warm water. Moisturize immediately after washing. DO NOT TOTALLY DRY OFF YOUR FACE BEFORE APPLYING THE MOISTURIZER.
For skin burn
A cosmetic benefit of Aloe vera is its function in the treatment of burns. It is highly effective in treating skin burns. Research has shown that it takes an average of 12 days for Aloe gel to heal a burn. This is faster than Vaseline – which takes about 19-20 days to heal.
Usage: Take a good amount of Aloe vera gel extracted from fresh Aloe vera leaf and rub over the surface of the burn in the morning and at night. Leave on for an hour before washing off with warm water and soap. Be sure to moisturize immediately after washing.
Note: Aloe vera is most effective when the gel is used freshly and in a cool atmosphere. If you can’t get your hands on the plant, search for a 100% Aloe vera gel product and purchase.
Sunburn
In a situation where you need to correct sunburn, Aloe vera is your go-to plant. It helps suit the discomforting pain that comes along with sunburn.
Usage: Rub fresh Aloe vera gel on your face every morning and night. Leave on for an hour before washing off with warm water and soap. Do not forget to moisturize.
Eczema
Aloe vera gel is also effective in the treatment of eczema. This is because Aloe vera is known to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. It therefore along with its anti-inflammatory properties, fights against eczema.
Usage: Rub fresh Aloe vera gel on your face every morning and night. Leave on for an hour before washing off with warm water and soap. A mild serum or moisturizer may be applied after slightly drying the skin/face.
Dry skin
The use of Aloe vera in the treatment of dry flaky skin has long been practiced due to its ability to soften the skin. The characteristic of Aloe vera being easily absorbed into the skin makes it a good moisturizer. Studies have also shown moisturizers containing Aloe vera gel to be more effective in moisturizing the skin, sealing moisture into the skin.
Usage: Blend Aloe vera gel with coconut oil half the amount of the gel. Apply on your body for 30 minutes then rinse off with warm water. Make sure you moisturize immediately.
Damaged hair
Aloe vera helps to revive damaged hair. This is due to its moisturizing property. When rubbed into the scalp, it improves damaged dry hair by going through the hair follicles.
Usage: Rub fresh Aloe vera gel into the scalp, leave for an hour before rinsing off with water – normal temperature and then wash with some African black soap.
Eliminates black spots and stretch marks
This is related to the ability of the gel to heal burns. Overtime, it erases dark spots and stretch marks. While using Aloe vera gel to erase stretch marks, you will be needing a lot of patience. This is because such marks may be removed either gently – using organics or harshly – using synthetic products, the latter having detrimental effects. Therefore, when using this gel to erase stretch marks, don’t be in a hurry. It ultimately depends on the nature of your skin.
Usage: Apply the fresh gel on your face/skin twice a day and leave for an hour. Wash off with warm water and moisturize accordingly.
Makeup remover
This is very common with the removal of eye-shadow which you apply on your eye lids.
Usage: Squeeze a little quantity of Aloe vera gel in a cotton wool and rub on the area you want to clean. Ensure you wash off with warm water and soap before moisturizing.
Excellent eyebrow gel
This is actually a surprising benefit amongst the cosmetic benefits of Aloe vera. Want your eye brows looking naturally drawn without the use of eye-pencil?? You can use Aloe vera to achieve this.
Usage: Gently dip your eye brow spoolie in the Aloe vera gel and draw your brows following the direction of the natural hair present there.
Nail Nourishing
A lot of people over-look the importance of nail care and therefore give less attention to their nails. Aloe vera gel strongly helps to keep your nail and the area around it hydrated.
Usage:
Blend Aloe vera gel with an equal amount of fresh cucumber then dip your nails into the mixture. Leave the mixture on the nail for about 30 minutes before washing off with soap and water. Don’t forget to moisturize after. You may carry out this procedure once a week
Conclusion
These cosmetic benefits of Aloe vera work for me and I am certain they will work for you. Quickly before I round up, in as much as Aloe vera is really beneficial to the external body, some individuals may seem allergic to it. This isn’t just about this plant, it is about every other plant and every other skincare product. I therefore advice you first carry out a patch test before using anything on your skin.
A patch test is pretty easy to do. Just take a little amount of the product you want to use and apply it on a particular area of your skin. Leave on for about 15 minutes before washing off with soap and water. Carry out this procedure for 4 days to see if your skin isn’t welcoming such product. After this, you can go ahead to apply generously or stop the use immediately – depending on the result of the patch test.
Woooooooooooow!!! I had an amazing time writing this article, I think I deserve a cold glass of Maltina and Milk. Trust me, I see your comments and I appreciate each and everyone. I hope you found this article very insightful. As usual, feel free to drop your comments, suggestions, additional knowledge and questions. Till Next Time!!!!
