We all know aloe vera, but have you ever used aloe vera gel? I have never used anything in my life that is so versatile and so good for my skin. There are numerous benefits to using aloe vera on your skin (face included). Here are my 5 incredible uses for aloe vera gel:
1. Sunburn
Getting sunburnt is really one of the most uncomfortable scenarios you can find yourself in. I am always so angry at myself when I think about the damage I just allowed to happen to my skin. Getting into the shower or the bath with a sunburn is literally the worst. But you know what helps with that? Aloe vera gel. It soothes the burning and cools and moisturizes your skin almost immediately after applying it. Aloe vera gel also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it aids in healing your skin without it getting infected.
2. Skin ailments
I have used aloe vera gel for the odd breakout, but did you know it can also aid in reducing acne? No studies officially prove that this works, but many people swear by it as the ultimate solution to treating their acne. Aloe vera might also be used to treat certain skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
Because aloe vera can fight inflammation and skin irritations, it can also be used to treat mosquito bites.
3. Wounds
Aloe vera can speed up wound healing by improving blood circulation, and it might even combat certain types of bacteria and fungi. It is moisturizing which can prevent scarring and help scabs to heal and disappear faster before you get the urge to pick at them.

4. Aloe Skincare
When applied to your face at night as part of a skincare routine it can increase the natural collagen production of the skin, and as we know, collagen is that protein that makes us look a lot younger!
Bill C. Coats writes, “Since the skin needs nutrition of its own, aloe vera when formulated into a properly designed personal care regimen, can treat, exfoliate, restore, reveal and provide constant, impressive nutrition to the human skin.”
Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj, the Delhi-based dermatologist, says, “Aloe vera is rich in vitamin C, E, and beta carotene, giving it its nourishing and anti-aging qualities. It can moisturize the skin without making it greasy, which makes it a great buy for those with oily skin.”
I use the gel at night right before I apply my night cream. In the morning you can just give your face a quick rinse with warm water. You will not believe how great your skin looks! I would not recommend applying the gel in the morning as it does form a thin layer on your skin that will crumble when you apply your foundation. Applying the gel to your face helps a lot especially during the dry season when our skin tends to look dull and grey and not as dewy and fresh as we want. This is where aloe vera gel comes to the rescue!
If you or anyone you know suffers from dry and cracked heels, you can also apply aloe vera gel to your feet to help repair the dry and cracked skin.
Aloe Vera Gel DIY Face Masks
1. Aloe vera for dry skin: Take a tablespoon of aloe vera gel, half a teaspoon of turmeric, a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of milk, and a teaspoon of rose water. Blend this mix till you get a paste. Apply it and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
2. Aloe vera scrub: Mix half a cup of aloe vera gel, a cup of sugar, and two tablespoons of lemon juice. The sugar will help exfoliate and scrub off dead skin, the aloe vera will deep clean the skin and the lemon will help fade out scars and tan. Stir the three ingredients together and use them to scrub both the face and body. You can adjust the amounts if you only want to use the scrub on your face e.g. one tablespoon of aloe gel, two tablespoons of sugar, and one teaspoon of lemon juice.
3. Aloe vera for acne: Take some aloe vera gel, blended walnuts with a flour-like consistency, and honey. Aloe vera’s healing properties coupled with the anti-oxidants from honey will leave you with smooth and clear skin.
4. Aloe vera for sensitive skin: Grab some aloe vera gel, cucumber juice, yogurt, and rosehip oil (you can buy this at your local pharmacy or dispensary) and blend them well. Apply and leave for around 20 minutes, then rinse it off.
5. Hair & scalp care
If you struggle with abnormal hair loss, dry scalp, or even dandruff, aloe vera can bring you some relief. The evening before you wash your hair, apply some gel to your scalp and go to sleep. The next morning you can wash and style your hair as usual.
The gel can also be used to deep clean very oily hair, so if you want to use a hair mask but are scared that it will make your hair even oilier, you can use aloe vera gel instead. Aloe vera contains vitamins A, C, and E. All three of these vitamins contribute to cell turnover, promoting healthy cell growth and shiny hair.
There are very little to no clinical evidence, but some people claim that aloe vera can also make your hair grow faster. Although this might be true for some people, it is still unproven.
Important Information
Even though aloe vera gel is a natural product, some people might still be allergic to it. Before you start using this gel, please test it on a small area on your arm to see if you have any reaction to it before applying it to your entire body or face.
Interested in Aloe Vera products?
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Aloe Vera Face Wash with Jojoba Scrub BeadsR100.00
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Aloe Vera Body GelR60.00 – R70.00
You can download the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) below to read more about how to use aloe vera body gel safely: