Beauty February 1, 2022

ALOE VERA GEL USES AND HOW TO MAKE IT

By Julia Davis

Aloe vera, obtained from aloe plant, is popular worldwide. Its medical applications have been helpful to many individuals concerned with their skin.

Today, internet provides answers for everything, including health and beauty tips. Search solutions for skin conditions, and I bet you won’t miss aloe vera on the top list. There is a good reason why beauty freaks always turn to aloe vera for their skin wellness. More and more people are gaining confidence in this plant, and no regrets have ever been made. On-demand products like aloe vera gel are sometimes expensive to buy. If you want to make your own, how can you make it, and how will you use it?

How to make aloe vera gel

Creating your aloe vera gel at home is a great option if you love DIY projects. Also, it may be cheaper, and it allows you to use ingredients you’re familiar with and avoid the ones that may negatively affect your skin. You’ll need the following;

Aloe vera leaf
Powder vitamin E or C (not a must)
Clean bowl
Sharp knife
Blender
Airtight container for storage

Procedure to follow;

Cut aloe vera plant into 8 long divisions
Cut off the uneven edges. Ensure you get the edge because it’s difficult to obtain the gel from the leaf
Make a long cut in the middle of the plant to peel off the skin
Place your sharp knife beneath the rind and slide it according to the leaf to completely remove the skin. This incision should be as close as possible to the skin to get maximum gel
Repeat the same procedure for the other skin
Using a spoon, collect the pulp and place it in a bowl. Don’t scrap the pulp’s yellow part as it has toxins.
Add a small amount of either vitamin C powder or a few drops of Vitamin E oil, essential oil, or grapefruit seed extract.
Put the gel in a clean storage container, then refrigerate
Its freshness will last for about a week when refrigerated

How can you use your aloe vera gel?

Congratulations on making your own aloe vera gel! It’s now time to experience the good results of your effort. According to researchers, aloe vera has mixed benefits because of its different properties; thus, hard to focus on one specifically. There are about 420 species of aloe, with each having its unique property. Here are the best applications of aloe vera gel worth trying.

Soothing a sunburn

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help you soothe sunburn. Also, its sugars assist in collagen synthesis and will help you heal from the discomfort sunburn causes. These sugars, such as acemannan, also maintain moisture on the skin, helping to treat dryness caused by too much exposure to the sun.

Moisturizing skin

Who would not want smooth and well-moisturized skin? While cracking open the aloe vera leaf, you probably noticed a gel-like consistency constituting mostly water. This moisture contains lots of nutrients that’ll reduce skin dryness.

Heal dry and cracked feet

Beauty experts recommend this green ingredient for a foot mask. It can turn your rough feet to baby soft. Mix about 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with ½ cup of oatmeal, cornmeal, and unscented body lotion. Once the mixture is ready, apply gently on your tired feet until it’s well exfoliated. It should sit for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Another option is purchasing moisturizing socks with aloe vera, shea butter, and vitamin E to hydrate your foot skin.

Make a shaving cream

Some shaving creams cause irritation. Aloe vera gel is a safe option. Its slippery texture and hydrating abilities make it an effective natural shaving gel. You can make it more powerful by adding other nourishing ingredients like vitamin E. Mix 1 tbsp almond oil, 1/3 cup aloe vera gel, ¼ distilled warm water, ¼ cup hand soap, and about 5 drops of eucalyptus. Shake well, and you can use it for about six months if refrigerated.

Remove your makeup

Aloe vera is gentle on the skin. Its consistency and moisturizing effects make it a natural alternative to remove makeup. Apply some aloe vera gel on a cotton ball and use it to wipe off makeup on your face. Before using it on your face, do a test spot on your hand to ensure it won’t have any unwanted reactions on your face.

How should you use aloe vera gel for maximum results?

If it’s your first-time using aloe vera gel, you’ll need to be cautious. Begin by using a small amount on your skin. It’s not wise to use it on your face for the first time. First, try it on your thigh or arm. Let it sit for about 24 hours and look out for any allergic reaction. If you don’t experience any negative effects, you can begin applying it in larger quantities, and it’d be safe to use on your face. Many recipes are posted on social media, written in beauty magazines, or some you may get from your beauty freak friends. An advice to you is to rely on the advice of your care doctor or dermatologist before starting to use a new aloe vera product. Your skin conditions may not be the same as others. Don’t leave the gel on your skin for many hours to avoid clogging your pores.

Is it safe to buy aloe vera gel?

Before settling for making your own aloe vera gel, know that you have many options. Store-bought aloe vera gel can be as effective as the one you’ll make at home. However, be keen on the ingredient list. Some skincare products claim to have aloe vera gel, yet they don’t have a lot of it. Make sure you buy the one with aloe vera gel as the main ingredient.

Conclusion

Most individuals have embraced self-care. Proper hydration, working out, and enough sleep are not the only tips individuals use to stay healthy. Using natural products like aloe vera is one of the most effective ways of exercising self-care due to the impressive results it brings. Such as clearer and younger skin, fighting acne, removing makeup, making shaving cream, and exfoliating skin. You can easily make your own gel at home or use store-bought varieties to keep your skin healthy.

Author
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Julia Davis

Psychologist, Mental Health Expert at itsmeandyou.com

Mental health expert
MS, University of Latvia

I am deeply convinced that each patient needs a unique, individual approach. Therefore, I use different psychotherapy methods in my work. During my studies, I discovered an in-depth interest in people as a whole and the belief in the inseparability of mind and body, and the importance of emotional health in physical health. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (a big fan of thrillers) and going on hikes.