Aloe vera is nature’s very own cure-all. You can buy the gel from a store, but the best way to reap its benefits is to grow some yourself. Aloe is very easy to grow and doesn’t require too much attention. Once your aloe plant is flourishing, pick some of its leaves and open them up, because this is where its magical gel lies. Aloe vera gel is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that are extremely beneficial for your skin. Here are eight ways you can use aloe vera instead of your regular skin care products.
1. To Remove Makeup
Sleeping in your makeup is the worst skin crime you can commit. Doing this blocks your pores, accelerates aging and exacerbates your acne problem. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a makeup remover when you have aloe vera gel. Scoop some of the gel onto a cotton ball (or your clean hands) and massage this over your makeup. Once the makeup has broken down, you can wipe it off with a clean tissue and wash your face.
2. When You’re Shaving
Smooth, hairless legs are every woman’s dream, but shaving nicks? Not so much. To make shaving much easier and painless, rub aloe vera on your skin first. This moisturizes your skin and also acts as a buffer against the razor blade. You’ll end up with soft skin and no unsightly cuts to distract from how great your legs look.
3. To Wash Your Face With
If commercial face washes are leaving your skin dry and making you break out, you should try making your own. Mix 1 tsp of aloe vera gel along with 1 tsp almond milk and 1 tsp lemon juice. Apply this mixture all over your face and let it rest for 5 minutes before washing off. The antibacterial, moisturizing effects of all three ingredients (but especially aloe gel) will kill harmful bacteria and leave your skin feeling supple.
4. As A Skin Exfoliator
Exfoliation is an essential, but often overlooked part of many skincare regimens. Millions of dead skin cells are shed every day and new ones begin to grow below the surface. To reveal the glowing skin underneath, you need to scrub off the dead skin layer that is covering it. To make a moisturizing exfoliator, mix aloe gel with crushed brown sugar or ground coffee. Rub this gently over your face in circular motions and then wash off.
5. To Cure Bad Breath
Having bad breath can be very embarrassing. It keeps people from coming too close to you and definitively ends all chances of a date going well. Aloe vera can cure bad breath in two ways. First, the refreshing smell of aloe vera counteracts stinky breath. Second, its anti-inflammatory compounds soothes acidity and indigestion, one of the root causes of bad breath. Mix 1 tsp of aloe vera gel in a glass of water and gargle this mixture. You can even drink it, but don’t overdo it because aloe vera also acts as a laxative (another way to put an end to a date).
6. As A Night Mask
Night masks aren’t just heavy night creams. They form a protective barrier over your skin which prevents moisture from escaping and allows the ingredients in your skin products to work better. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on an expensive night mask, just use aloe vera gel. It works the same way night masks do, by hydrating your skin and providing an extra dose of nutrients. Rub a layer of aloe gel over your skin before you sleep to wake up to healthy, glowing skin.
7. For Well-Groomed Brows
If you have bushy eyebrows that never seems to stay in place, you need a little help from aloe vera. Dip an old, clean mascara wand into some aloe vera gel and brush your eyebrows in place with this. On the other hand, if you have sparse eyebrows that have seen a little too much tweezing action, you can brush them with aloe gel and some castor oil to encourage hair growth.
8. For Emergency Skin First Aid
In case you burn yourself, stay out in the sun too long or accidentally cut yourself, aloe vera gel can be extremely beneficial and soothing. However, you don’t always have the time to cut open a leaf and scoop out the gel. To prepare in advance for all these situations, mix the gel with a little water and fill an ice cube tray with this. Whenever you need a little help from aloe, all you need to do is pop one out and use it.
