Aloe vera has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions. But why is it so amazing?
Aloe vera. A humble little plant that you can pick up for under a tenner in most shops and supermarkets. It's easy to look after (mine hasn't died yet, and I'm no Diarmuid Gavin!) and looks nice on a windowsill. What lies within though, is something quite special. Especially when it comes to its healing properties and benefits for skin.
Most of us know aloe vera as a sunburn treatment. We all have memories of being slathered in it as kids after a particularly sunny weekend or holiday. As we known, the cooling, soothing gel feels wonderful when applied. But there's more to aloe than just treating a bit of ol' sunburn.
Here is why it's the ultimate skin hero.
Vitamin Packed
Aloe Vera contains polysaccharides and phytosterols in its makeup. These help to create a natural anti-inflammatory, protective barrier on the skin which holds moisture, soothes and calms. Not only that, it's also rich in vitamins A, B, C, D and E as well as minerals such as zinc (which is great for repairing and maintaining skin health).
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Natural
One of the best things about aloe vera is that you can use it directly from the plant, straight onto skin. So in terms of value for money, it's definitely cost effective. You can use it all over as a serum or treatment. Or alternatively, on areas that need a little extra attention. One of my favourite ways to use it is to hydrate any little dry patches that have been dried out by a salicylic acid spot treatment before applying makeup. The added moisture helps to heal and hydrate so concealer and foundation sit smoothly.
Easy DIY Skincare
We mentioned above you can use aloe directly from the plant. But if you want to get creative about things, you can also make your own skincare products such as exfoliators or face masks too.
To make an exfoliator, simply mix some of the aloe gel in a bowl with a spoon of brown sugar, squeeze of honey and a teaspoon of coconut oil. If your skin is combination or oily a great mask can be made easily too. All you have to do is mix the aloe gel with a few drops of tea tree oil.
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Are you a fan of Aloe Vera too?
