![\"10](\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0622\/9206\/6563\/files\/01_5.png\")
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If you\u2019ve ever spent a bit too much time in the sun, you\u2019re probably very aware of one of the many benefits of aloe vera.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to its cooling and soothing properties on sunburnt skin, it\u2019s also an all-natural, super-hydrating ally to your everyday skin and hair care routines!<\/span><\/p>\n Lucky for us, aloe vera is inexpensive, versatile, and easy to find at your local supermarket, drug store, and even home gardens.<\/span><\/p>\n This unsuspecting pulpy plant is very easy to apply to your skin and has a light, non-greasy, hydrating \u201cformula\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Aloe vera gel contains 96% water!<\/span><\/p>\n All the extra power is packed into the remaining 4%.<\/span><\/p>\n No wonder it\u2019s so hydrating!<\/span><\/p>\n Aloe vera has been used <\/span>for centuries<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Six thousand years old carvings of the plant have been discovered in Egypt, where it was considered the \u201cPlant of immortality\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s rumored that even Cleopatra used aloe vera to protect her royal skin from the desert heat and dryness.<\/span><\/p>\n It has been used to treat wounds and even help with digestion when ingested as it serves as a mild laxative.<\/span><\/p>\n Due to its ability to grow in even the driest environments and its many healing benefits for the body, inside and out, it can now be procured worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n Pure aloe vera gel harvested straight from the plant is considered so \u201cclean\u201d that <\/span>it can even be ingested<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Aloe is very refreshing and versatile and can be added to a variety of recipes from smoothies and salsas.<\/span><\/p>\n It is rich in antioxidants and may reduce blood pressure levels, boost memory, and even <\/span>treat IBS<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n While many store-bought aloe gels should work just fine for sunburn, when it comes to skincare (and cooking), the benefits of aloe vera are best captured when harvested straight from the plant or from products with natural, <\/span>pure aloe vera gel<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Pure aloe vera plant pulp can be found inside the cactus-like plant leaves that can easily be grown at home or found in local stores.<\/span><\/p>\n No matter if you have a green thumb or not, aloe vera plants are extremely easy to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n If you grow your own, extracting its gel is simple!<\/span><\/p>\n To extract the aloe plant\u2019s gel and use it on your skin, break a leaf off of an aloe plant as close to the stem as possible to get all the \u201cmeat\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Then, use a knife to slice the green skin off of the aloe leaf lengthwise, so you\u2019re left with a piece of pure, clear aloe vera gel.<\/span><\/p>\n From there, you\u2019re free to apply it directly to the skin to seize any of the following 10 amazing benefits of aloe vera for skin and hair!<\/span><\/p>\n One of the many benefits of aloe vera for skin is its anti-aging properties!<\/span><\/p>\n Collagen is the most abundant and most important protein in our bodies when it comes to the skin\u2019s health and appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen<\/span><\/span><\/a>, causing our skin to sag, thin, and form wrinkles and fine lines.<\/span><\/p>\n Luckily, aloe vera has collagen-boosting capabilities<\/span><\/a> to help turnover old, damaged cells and produce new ones!<\/span><\/p>\n Not only does aloe help to increase your levels of collagen (aka the fountain of youth), it is packed with antioxidants that protect your skin from the damaging effect of free radicals.<\/span><\/p>\n Free radicals can be found all around, and even inside of us and can lead to a number of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n They cause oxidative stress that causes damage to otherwise healthy cells.<\/span><\/p>\n By applying a thin layer of aloe to the face, you can help fight off aging signs, provide an extra boost of collagen, and fight off free radicals!<\/span><\/p>\n The most popular use of the application is sunburn relief<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The aloe vera plant has been<\/span><\/a> effective at treating first and second-degree burns, which includes most sunburns.<\/span><\/p>\n The Skin Cancer Foundation<\/span><\/a> has actually found aloe superior to lotions containing oil as it can trap heat make sunburn even worse! Raw aloe straight from the plant can be rubbed on the skin for instant sunburn relief.<\/span><\/p>\n Pure aloe vera gels<\/span><\/a>can also be bought over the counter, but make sure to avoid artificial colors and fragrances to prevent further irritation.<\/span><\/p>\n You can also keep it in the fridge to cool it down and provide extra cooling relief!<\/span><\/p>\n A quick aside – while aloe is great for helping to soothe burnt and irritated skin, the best way to avoid sunburn altogether is with sunblock<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n So to make your sunny day skincare routine complete, start with sunblock high in SPF (and plenty of it), then turn to aloe to rehydrate and soothe your skin.<\/span><\/p>\n You can also use aloe vera for face and body hyperpigmentation! Hyperpigmentation is a build up of melanin that often results in dark spots on the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n It can be caused by overexposure to the sun, hormonal issues due to pregnancy<\/span><\/span><\/a>, and acne, all of which aloe can help to manage!<\/span><\/p>\n Aloe vera blocks the enzyme tyrosinase<\/span><\/a>, which is a primary \u201ccomponent\u201d of skin hyperpigmentation.<\/span><\/p>\n This humble gel also contains polysaccharides, water, lectins, vitamins, minerals, and other active compounds to reduce hyperpigmentation.<\/span><\/p>\n It is even used for overall skin lightening.<\/span><\/p>\n You can create your own aloe vera moisturizer or in store-bought moisturizing creams.<\/span><\/p>\n Rather than leaving a heavy, sometimes oily feeling on your skin, aloe is clear, lightweight, and soothing.<\/span><\/p>\n Aloe is gentle enough to be used on the face and body every day.<\/span><\/p>\n Simply apply it after a bath or shower and allow it to absorb to help seal moisture into your skin.<\/span><\/p>\n There are also tons of moisturizers that contain aloe vera. Check out some of our favorites below!<\/span><\/p>\n Using aloe on your face on a regular basis will also help to soothe and fight off acne.<\/p>\n Aloe vera contains salicylic acid, which helps to gently dry acne while providing anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce redness and inflammation to irritated acne.<\/p>\n Salicylic acid<\/span><\/span><\/a> achieves this by dissolving the top layer of skin cells and exfoliating the cellular buildup.<\/p>\n It is also rich in nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C<\/span><\/a>, and vitamin E, which can also help to keep your skin clear and radiant in the future.<\/p>\n Aloe can also be used to help another symptom of acne – minor wounds, broken skin, and acne scars<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Aloe helps to heal<\/span><\/a> scratches and other small wounds on the face and body by boosting collagen and fighting bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n Just apply it directly to the wound a couple of times throughout the day like you would with Neosporin.<\/span><\/p>\n It can also help to soothe and moisturize chapped lips in place of oily chapsticks!<\/span><\/p>\n Aloe can also be used in the case of more extreme skin conditions like psoriasis<\/span><\/span><\/a> and eczema<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n These conditions can cause dry, flaky patches of skin that are easily irritated and often difficult to treat.<\/span><\/p>\n Because aloe is so clean and simple, it\u2019s less likely to further irritate the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n When applied topically, aloe\u2019s antibacterial properties alleviate the inflammation, redness, and itchiness that often accompanies these skin conditions while keeping the skin clean and healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll be pleased to know that aloe vera uses don\u2019t stop with the skin; there are also benefits of aloe vera for <\/span>hair conditioning<\/span><\/span><\/a> and scalp healing!<\/span><\/p>\n An aloe vera hair mask can be enough to clean your hair!<\/span><\/p>\n The gel of the aloe vera plant can be used as a shampoo to remove excess sebum (oil) without stripping the hair.<\/span><\/p>\n Shampoos with sulfates and unnecessary artificial fragrances can damage and dry the hair out.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Benefits](\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0622\/9206\/6563\/files\/02_5.png\")
<\/p>\nIs aloe vera good for skin? (hint – yes!)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Reduce Wrinkles and Signs of Aging<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
2. Soothe Sunburn<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
3. Brighten Skin and Reduce Hyperpigmentation<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
4. Lock in Moisture<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
5. Fight off Acne<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Uses](\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0622\/9206\/6563\/files\/03_5.png\")
<\/p>\n6. Heal Minor Ailments<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
7. Treat Skin Conditions<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
How can I use aloe vera on my face and hair?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Hair Cleansing<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n