5 Creative Ways You Can Use Aloe Vera Gel For Your Skin
Last Updated on April 2, 2024
With close to 75 active compounds in it, aloe vera gel is one of the most versatile natural skincare ingredients you can use for your face and hair. It has vitamins, minerals, hydrating sugars, antioxidants, amino acids and so much more.
Using aloe vera gel on your skin has several benefits too. It is hydrating, extremely soothing, boosts collagen synthesis, heals wounds and protects your skin from sun damage too. And since there are so many benefits of using aloe vera gel for your skin and hair, there are more than one ways to use it too.
I am a big fan of using aloe vera for skincare and hence have incorporated in it my routine in so many different ways over the years. So I decided to share these tips with you in case you haven’t tried them yet.
How To Use Aloe Vera For Your Face
1. Try A Hydrating Fresh Aloe Gel Facial
A couple of weeks ago, I got my hands on a big, juicy aloe vera leaf which led me to try aloe vera facials twice every day to boost hydration. And believe me, I loved how they felt- hydrated, refreshing, and super soothing!!
I scooped out the clear aloe gel from the leaf, blended it in the mixer for a few seconds until it turned into a slimy juice and stored it in an air-tight container in the fridge. After cleansing my skin, I would scoop out some of this chilled aloe vera juice and apply a thick layer on my skin.
I then let it sit on my face for about 10-15 minutes until it starts drying out. Then rinse with water and voila! Super glowing and baby-soft skin.
I even didn’t have new breakouts throughout the week since aloe helps soothe inflammation. So this fresh soothing aloe vera facial is a must-try for sensitive, irritated skin or even sunburnt skin(provided your skin doesn’t react to aloe vera of course!)
P.s. Fresh aloe vera gel without preservatives can become contaminated with microbes in just a couple of days. So freeze your gel into ice cubes so that you can use it for a bit longer.
2. Use It As A Hydrating Moisturizer
Of course, the easiest way to use aloe vera for your face is as a moisturizer in your daily skincare routine. Aloe vera gel is a wonderful budget-friendly humectant that will help keep your skin hydrated and suits almost all skin types.
As an oily-skinned person, I use aloe vera gel as a stand-alone moisturizer all the time. It gets absorbed easily into the skin and is hence is the perfect budget-friendly gel moisturizer for oily or acne-prone skin.
If you have dry skin, you can also layer it under your moisturizer. These days, you can easily buy preserved aloe vera gel online that is easy-to-use. I always keep some in my skincare drawer since it is so versatile.
I am currently using pure aloe vera gel from Bonsoul. but there are plenty of brands to choose from. To make sure you pick a pure, unadulterated aloe gel only, check out this easy guide with product recommendations.
3. Make Your Face Masks With Aloe Vera Gel
If you use clay-based face masks regularly but find them to be drying on your skin, you should mix some aloe gel in them the next time.
By using aloe vera gel to activate your face masks, your skin stays hydrated and doesn’t feel stretchy after rinsing it off. In fact, due to the hydrating effect, my skin feels even more softer and firmer.
So next time you are applying a face mask, be it DIY or store-bought, add 1 tsp aloe gel along with the hydrosol to avoid dehydrating your skin.
P.s. This aloe vera hack works great for your hair as well. Mix 2 tbsp aloe vera gel with 1 tbsp hair oil and apply it all over your hair as a hair mask. Your hair will feel softer, bouncier and more hydrated in general.
Also Read: 25 Natural Skincare Ingredients That Will Supercharge Your Routine
4. As a Carrier for Face Oil
Do you find facial oils greasy and difficult to use? Then aloe vera gel will come to your rescue. When you apply your facial oil along with some aloe vera gel, it is absorbed into your skin much faster and doesn’t feel greasy too.
I take 2-3 drops of oil in my palm and mix about a quarter teaspoon of aloe gel(readymade works best for this) in it. Then I dot it all over the face and massage it in. My skin looks dewy and feels nourished all day.
This way, the oil keeps the moisture from aloe vera locked in and your skin doesn’t feel dry or sticky after some time.
If you have been looking forward to adding facial oils to your skincare routine, using it with aloe vera is the best way to start.
Also Read: Best Facial Oils for Oily Skin
5. Spot Treat With It
Did you know aloe vera can heal scars and wounds due to its collagen-stimulating properties? Or that it soothes insect bites, burns, redness, itching and acne too?
This means even if you already have a skincare routine in place, you can still use aloe vera gel as a spot treatment to fight inflammation, hydrate and repair your skin.
And it is lightweight and transparent, so you can just apply and forget about it. While pure aloe vera juice is most effective for this, you can use readymade aloe vera gel too.
Whenever I have a hives breakout,I apply some aloe gel and it the cooling sensation provides instant relief from itching.
Now that you know how to use aloe vera gel in multiple ways, it is worth keeping a jar of aloe vera gel or a potted aloe vera plant at home don’t you think. You never know when it might come in handy.
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