10 Miraculous Benefits of Aloe Vera

I’m sure you have spotted an Aloe Vera in your mom’s medicine box, or in the pantry, or as a potted plant in the balcony! In a typical Indian household, you will almost ALWAYS find an Aloe Vera plant! 

Moreover, Aloe Vera has become the go-to ingredient for all skin and hair concerns! Social media streams like Insta, YouTube, Tiktok have tonnes and tonnes of videos on Aloe Vera DIY Face pack, hair masks, under-eye treatment, and whatnot. 

Though we think it’s a recent fad, it has actually been a famous ingredient since days of old. 2000 years ago, Ayurveda used Aloe Vera for its medicinal and beauty purposes. Ancient Egypt calls it ‘the plant of immortality’ and Ancient Greek has named it ‘the universal panacea!’ So, you know we are not exaggerating, history proves that Aloe Vera is a truly magical ingredient!

But you may be wondering what is so good about this gooey green leaf. Aloe me to explain.

The bountiful benefits of Aloe Vera!

Now, this is what we call a TRUCKLOAD of nutrients! This desert plant carries a whopping 75 nutrients in a single fleshy leaf! We cannot list all of them…um… due to a lack of space (obviously), but we can list down a few:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Minerals
• Amino Acids
• Enzymes
• Salicylic Acid & other crazy-sounding nutrients mentioned below!

BENEFITS FOR THE SKIN

1. SOOTHES SUNBURNS 

Do you think this desert plant does not know about sunburns? They live in toasty temperatures under the scorching sun and yet their leaves manage to remain so succulent! So, let’s just say this guy knows a thing or two about how to keep skin cool and hydrated despite the sweltering heat! So, here’s the science…

‘Sunburnt’ skin means that the skin cells on your top layer have burnt and died due to the strong UV radiation. Though that sounds all doom and gloom, there is absolutely nothing to worry about when you have the skin & sun expert with you! Aloe Vera can be your go-to ingredient for 1st and 2nd-degree burns as the gel penetrates deep into the skin promoting the skin renewal process, thus healing the epidermis over time. The carboxypeptidase compound in the Aloe Vera gel adds a wonderful soothing sensation and relieves pain! What more do you need?

Editor’s Choice:

⭐ PLUM ALOE VERA GEL

This tub full of calming goodness is 99% Aloe. It’s a NO-nonsense product! NO fragrance, (so sensitive skin can smile), NO colours (cause who needs them) and it is also cruelty-free! 

2. SKIN DRINK

Make way for an EXPERT HYDRATOR! And we don’t mean the heavy greasy kind of ointment.  Rather the 95% water content makes it a super-lightweight moisturiser! It delivers a water fresh glow and dewy skin without the chip-chip feel. This refreshing burst of hydration is perfect for all skin types, yes, even sensitive skin will smile. Ba-bye patchy skin, welcome soft, smooth and supple skin! 

Editor’s Choice:

⭐GOOD VIBES SOOTHING FACE CREAM

Get your hands on the Good Vibes Aloe Vera moisturiser! This lightweight formula gently hydrates the skin keeping it cool and calm. It does an outstanding job in treating inflamed skin. 

3. ZIT ZAPPER!

Bid-adieu to pesky zits as the antibacterial properties of this potent potion fights pimple-causing bacteria. The glycol-proteins in Aloe Vera work wonders in reducing swelling and inflammation. So be rest assured this cooling goodness will calm down any acne that’s flaring up in anger! With small amounts of Salicylic and Enzymes the gel also mildly exfoliates the skin without causing too much irritation. Unlike strong chemical serums, the Aloe Vera gel is a master zit-zapper with ultra-gentle action! Not to mention that this home remedy is budget-friendly and effective. Win-win!

Editor’s Choice:

⭐WOW SKIN SCIENCE ALOE VERA HYDRATING FACE WASH

It’s time to cleanse with a reviving face wash that helps refresh dull acne-prone skin. The formula gently removes dirt and exfoliates without stripping out the natural oils. It helps restore the skin’s natural suppleness and injects back the much-needed hydration! The Aloe Vera face wash is boosted with Green Tea extracts, Hyaluronic and Cucumber to maintain the moisture mantle of your skin barrier. The silicone brush allows for a good amount of blood circulation and an effortless cleanse of pores.

4. SCARS? WHAT’S THAT!?

Ugh! If you think fighting pimples is a battle, wait till those pesky scars pop up! But no worries when you have “anthraquinone”. Yes, this mouth-full word present in the succulent flesh of the plant does a great job of promoting cell turnover! Thanks to the presence of ‘auxins’ (another complex sounding property) blemishes and scars lighten over time.

Editor’s Choice:

⭐MAMAEARTH ALOE TURMERIC GEL

When Aloe and Turmeric come together for skin benefits, it leaves no stone unturned. Aloe Vera gel cools, calms and hydrates the skin, while the Turmeric takes action against pesky spots, pigmentation and suntan. This big brightening gun hits a perfect shot with the nourishing dose of Vitamin E!

5. NO MORE ITCHY SKIN

Here’s a potent potion for rashes, mosquito bites and all things itchy! In the case of eczema, the acute skin dryness causes an irresistible and continuous itch that makes you want to scratch away, all day! But Aloe Vera gel can handle that too as it contains a healthy dose of ‘magnesium lactate.’ What is its super-power? It is a natural itch reducer! So, the urge to scratch will be gone! Have you ever noticed that after vigorous scratching your skin tends to burn? Well, Aloe also helps in reducing the uncomfortable burning sensation. 

Editor’s Choice:

⭐INNISFREE ALOE REVITAL SKIN MIST

The spray type toner with high Aloe content (99%) is sprayed in fine particles so that the goodness can penetrate the inner layers of the skin to restore the glow from within. It revives and restores the lost vitality of the skin. It works perfectly as a pre and post-sun care mist. In case of redness or itchiness, a few spritzes should do good!

6.SKIN CLEANSER

Here’s another benefit of Aloe Vera; it is a natural astringent. It can suck out dirt, grime and everything in between. Even blackheads and whiteheads can’t get edgeways with it! This is a good preventive measure for pimples. It can unclog pores like no other! And while cleaning the skin, it also reduces the size of the pores, therefore preventing germs and other forms of bacteria from entering the skin.

Editor’s Choice

⭐GOOD VIBES ALOE VERA SCRUB

Scrub away impurities and say hello to fresh, clean and glowing skin with the goodness of Aloe Vera Exfoliating scrub from Good Vibes. Infused with Aloe Vera this scrub exfoliates dead skin cells and improves skin texture. Don’t worry about over-dried skin, because the Aloe Vera extracts while cleansing performs a simultaneous function of hydrating the skin.

7. ANTI-AGEING

How does Aloe Vera help in wiping years off your face? The answer is COLLAGEN. Collagen is a natural element in our skin that keeps skin firm and elastic. As we age the collagen production in our skin takes a dip, as a result, we see signs of ageing in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. That is why the collagen found in Aloe Vera is helpful, as it encourages production in our skin thereby plumping up those fine lines and wrinkles. 

Editor’s Choice

⭐WOW SKIN SCIENCE LIFT AND FIRM ALOE VERA GEL

Help tighten sagging cheeks, jawbones and neck with the WOW Skin Science Lift and Firm Aloe Vera gel. It hydrates and firms the skin with help of Aloe Vera, anti-wrinkle Peptide and Hyaluronic to support the skin's collagen structure and moisture barrier. The tube comes attached with double rollers that deliver a gentle massage effect when used in an upward motion.

8. STIMULATES HAIR GROWTH

Want to know why your hair is falling despite all the care and nutrition? Maybe it’s because of the clogged hair follicles. So even though your hair and scalp are healthy, clogged follicles will restrict hair from growing. How does Aloe Vera help here? The special enzymes (I’m sparing you the complex names this time round) exfoliates the scalp from dead skin cells, dirt and grime, opening up the follicles, allowing a healthy growth of strands!

Editor’s Choice

⭐DEVE HERBES PURE ALOE VERA OIL

Add an extra oomph factor to your hair with the Pure Aloe Vera Oil from Deve Herbs. The Aloe Vera oils are so therapeutic it even relieves headaches. Massage this potent potion to your scalp and see the difference after every use. Strong, thick and conditioned strand now yours!

9. KEEP DANDRUFF AT BAY!

Flaky itchy scalp? Get relief once and for all, with Aloe Vera shampoo. Reduce irritation and moisturize dry scalps with this green goodness. When one faces anxiety or tension, often their head gets hot. The calming effect of Aloe helps here too! Chilled Aloe Vera shampoo/ mask gives an ah-mazing rejuvenating feeling as well as injects a plethora of nutrients into the scalp! After all, a healthy scalp = healthy hair = to a happy head????

Editor’s Choice:

⭐GOOD VIBES NEEM AND ALOE VERA SHAMPOO

The natural goodness of Aloe Vera combined with a host of beneficial properties gives your hair the sheen and shine you’ve always wanted. The Neem’s antimicrobial properties get rid of dandruff, itchiness and infections. And the best part is that the formula is so gentle that your hair shaft remains hydrated and frizz-free. 

10. BEAUTY INSIDE OUT!

And let’s not forget beauty is inside out! The largest organ of our body expresses only what our gut feels. So, if your skin has a breakout, it may be due to hormonal imbalance, poor gut health or more. Therefore, nourishing your body with clean, green and wholesome foods is important not just for outward beauty but for vital organs like heart, liver function etc that are far more important. So, find out what are the health benefits when we supplement our diet with Aloe Vera juice. 

• It helps you stay hydrated. When you are hydrated from within, your skin will be less dry.
• It helps to balance hormonal problems and other menstrual issues.
• It provides your daily requirement of Vitamin C and minerals.
• Here’s another interesting fact: since the Aloe Vera has a “gel” like consistency, it runs through the intestinal tracts slowly rather than quickly, thus giving it more time to absorb the toxins. Thus, a glass of Aloe Vera on an empty stomach does an excellent job in cleansing the liver and flushing out toxins from the body.

Editor’s Choice:

⭐UPKARMA ALOE VERA JUICE

This 1 Litre bottle of Aloe Vera juice from Upakarma Ayurveda is power-packed with nutrients, calcium, folic acid, zinc and magnesium. This drink is free from preservatives, artificial colour and harmful chemicals. It is pure, vegan and a GMP certified product.

To do or to DIY!

Beauty DIYs top the chart of the fun-things to-do list, right? Gathering supplies from your pantry or garden, whipping up a pack, adding food colouring… is not just enjoyable but is au-naturelle i.e. with no nasties & chemicals and is budget-friendly! All hail to DIYs!

Now that I have justified the benefits of DIYs, let’s look at how we can take the good ol’ Aloe Vera and amp up the benefits of it!

1. Face Mask

???? Skin Soothing Mask

    1 tablespoon Aloe

    ½ tablespoon Honey 

    1 tablespoon Rosewater 

Often, we find ourselves making mistakes like over-exfoliating our skin or sensitizing skin with the overuse of ingredients like Retinol, Glycolic Acid, etc. This leaves our skin inflamed with a broken skin barrier. In such times a skin-soothing mask is what your skin will crave. Though this mask has 3 simple ingredients, it will coddle your skin with tender loving care and hydration.  

????Skin Brightening Mask

    1 tablespoon Aloe

    ¼ tablespoon Turmeric

Be it overexposure to the sun, or a hectic day, we all face dull skin days! And that’s when the Skin Brightening Face packs come in handy. When you need a quick brightening boost, Turmeric will do good as it’s a perfect solution for treating dark spots, pigmentation and scarring. It is also a master blaster in fighting off bacterial infections if any. This mask can be applied as a face moisturizer too! 

????Aloe & Almond Oil Mask

    1 tablespoon Aloe

    ¼ tablespoon Almond Oil

    2-3 mashed slices of Banana 

If your skin feels as dry as the Sahara Desert, quench your skin’s thirst with this hydrating powerhouse. Almond oil provides a healthy dose of Vitamin E nourishment while fat-rich Bananas provide deep moisturization. Almond Oil is a dry oil and Aloe Vera has a tiny amount of Salicylic that will ensure your pores remain clean and clear.

????Skin Clearing Mask

    1 tablespoon Aloe

    1 ½ tablespoon Tomato juice!

    ½ tablespoon Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti)

Perfect for the summers, this mask will clear up any oily skin woes and pesky suntan in a jiffy. The tomato puree/ juice removes suntan and blemishes with its cocktail of antioxidants. Fuller’s Earth/Multani Mitti tackles any greasy situation with ease keeping skin clean, matte and fresh. The Aloe coddles skin with cooling and calming hydration despite the toasty temperatures. 

????Skin Cleansing Mask 

    1 tablespoon Aloe

    2 tablespoons mashed Neem leaves

    Rosewater

Let the antimicrobial fighter AKA Neem fight off all the bacterial build-up and infections. Aloe Vera gel with its mild exfoliation unclogs pores while the rosewater tones and tightens skin. Pore-fect skin is now a reality! Acne won’t get edgeways with this power trio!

2. HAIR MASK

????‍♀️FOR SHINE: ALOE + YOGURT 

    4 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel

    2 tablespoons yoghurt

    1 teaspoon honey

    1 tablespoon coconut oil

When your hair looks dull and lacklustre, whip up this DIY hair mask, apply it on your strands for 15 minutes and you are good to go! The combination of Aloe, Yoghurt, Honey and Coconut oil makes strands so soft you can’t resist touching them! You’ll forget about expensive packaged hair masks and serums when you out try this hair pack!

????‍♀️FOR DANDRUFF: ALOE + APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

    1 cup of Fresh Aloe Vera gel

    ¼ cup of ACV

    1 teaspoon of Tea Tree oil

Dandruff can get the best of everyone! But not anymore. See how dandruff disappears with the anti-microbial and exfoliating power of these ingredients. Focus this pack mainly on the scalp. Keep this pack for a good 20 minutes before rinsing. Give your tresses steam for deeper action and be amazed!

????‍♀️FOR HAIR GROWTH: ALOE + FENUGREEK POWDER

    3 tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel

    2 tablespoons of Fenugreek powder/paste.

Fenugreek is considered as “Hot” food in Ayurveda due to its truckload of health benefits. Since it’s a storehouse for potassium, protein and calcium, it provides the necessary nourishment to the hair roots and follicles. With its Vitamin A, K, C and high iron content, Fenugreek repairs the hair shaft and maintains hair density. No more hair in the drains or on your hairbrush! 

Aloe there! Now that you are an Aloe Expert, take full advantage of that Aloe Plant lying in your garden or the Aloe Vera tub in your beauty pouch! Dive into the green goodness of nature’s most precious gift and reap the benefits like never before!