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Aloe Aloe! Why Aloe Vera Is A Beauty’s Best Friend

27 September, 2015 - 08:14pm by - First Lady | 18 Comments

by BR Amelia

Growing up whenever I had a hint of sunburn or if a pimple popped up it wasn’t unheard of to be told by my mother ‘put some aloe on it’. So I’d go out to the aloe vera plant we had growing in a pot by the front doorstep, chop a bit off, open it up and apply that cool gooey gel and let its anti-inflammatory properties get to work soothing my skin.

Naturally being young and far more interested in boys, teen magazines and pop music I never really thought much more about aloe, until recently when I was having a browse at The Body Shop and noticed they had a whole range based around Aloe Vera from a Calming Facial Cleanser to Aloe Eye Defence to an Aloe Anti-Perspirant Deodorant – and everything in between. How had I missed this? And what was I missing out on?

While scientific studies have swung back and forth over the years as to whether aloe is all that and a bag of chips, people around the world have been using it and singing its praises for thousands of years as a natural way to heal the skin. Not only that, people have used it for beauty purposes as well, and no wonder, it’s filled with good stuff, including antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E, salicylic acid, minerals, amino acids and more. 

So what’s Aloe Vera gel good for? Straight from the plant it’s perfect for post-sun application or for helping to soothe a minor burn. For anything larger you might want to pick up a bottle of aloe vera gel, such as Sukin’s Aloe Vera Gel, which can be used on skin post-shaving or as a moisturiser. Some people use it as an alternative to shaving cream, as an eye makeup remover, even as an eyebrow gel – just dip a clean spoolie into the gel and sweep it through your brows. Genius. I’ve even read that it can be used as a makeup primer, with people who do so claiming it smoothes over wrinkles and pores and reduces redness – get me on that wagon, I want to find out if it’s true! Others use the gel as a way to stop themselves nail biting by swiping some over their fingertips and hoping the not-so-enjoyable taste will put them off nibbling.

What if you want to supercharge your aloe action? Which other beauty brands, other than The Body Shop, have embraced aloe into their ranges?

Nivea’s Pure & Natural range, which includes cleansing wipes, a toner, cleanser and moisturiser, is enriched with organic aloe vera as well as argan oil to nourish the skin while giving it a healthy glow.

Vaseline Intensive Care has Aloe Soothe, an all-over body lotion designed to soothe dry skin.

And Aloe Up has a range of aloe-based products, including sunscreens and skincare. 

Of course, if you’re going to give aloe a go, whether from the plant, in gel form or from a beauty range always do a patch test first. 

So are you a fan of using aloe? Do you incorporate into your beauty regime? If so, how? Chat away…

Comments

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1st October, 2015

I used to use aloe in the tropics for burns and even pimples. Then I moved to NZ and forgot about it. But love seeing it in my skincare products. I think I need to start making use of the potted aloe plants we have on the porch.

30th September, 2015

I have used aloe gel straight from the plant for burns, mainly sunburn. Was a standard sunburn remedy for my children. I add a few drops of lavendar essential oil also and they tend to heal really quickly. Never used it for pimples. I ever got them as a teenager, (but had a terrible time in my 30's), but for my girls I got a Dr Hauschka concealer stick. The ingredients in that calms and heals pimples really quick. Might suggest aloe vera and see if that helps.

30th September, 2015

Aloe Vera is great. I have facial burns and had dermabrasion operations when I was 12 and 13 and was told then by my plastic surgeon to apply Aloe Vera gel to my scar when healing to help with the healing process :)

29th September, 2015

I have a few different aloe vera products that are always on hand in my house. I also have one of those mums and I find myself turning into her more and more. Aloe Vera is fantastic for all sorts :-)

28th September, 2015

Our family friends had an aloe plant and every time we were there I swear I used to hurt myself on purpose just to cut a bit of aloe off and feel that cooling liquid, sticky gel. Aloe is amazing! Can you even buy aloe plants anymore?

28th September, 2015

It's quite funny because my mother use to use Aloe all the time as I was growing up yet oddly it is not something I currently have in my regime nor for that matter in my house. Time to change that I think.

28th September, 2015

We are never without aloe Vera gel in the house in summer, but I've only used it for sunburn. I hadn't really thought about what else it could be useful for.

28th September, 2015

Big fan of aloe for many a year. I remember when I was at uni Health Basics used to make an amazing body oil with aloe that seems to have disappeared off the market now. Used to slather it on after a shower before towelling off, it left my skin all silky and fragranced. Wonder where it went? Health Basics aloe vera gel gets used for bites and burns and stings - I do worry a little bit about what makes it so violently green though - pure gel sure isn't that colour. An aloe plant took up residence in the smallest room of the house while I was having babies . . . and I dare say will go there again as I get a bit of age on. Piles, darlings. Aloe vera gel is great for piles.

28th September, 2015

These products all look great, I might try the Nivea cleansing wipes next. I had heard that Aloe Vera was good for burns, cuts and scrapes before, I haven't used any lately though.

28th September, 2015

I love aloe and have the Vaseline intensive care which I use regularly.

27th September, 2015

I have aloe vera gel. We've actually started using that instead of solarcaine since it became pretty much aloe vera gel. I am keen to try it as a primer and as a make up remover. I do sometimes use it as a moisturiser and also often after shaving. I have also tried it in my hair because it was supposed to make it softer and less dry. I can't say that worked.

27th September, 2015

I don't go out and actively look for products with aloe in it but I'm not surprised that it works wonders. Growing up we had to drink the stuff and not the lovely bottled juice we get today I'm talking about traditional island style remedies - oh the memories.

27th September, 2015

I have several aloes growing in my kichen and use them often for applying to my skin, and for adding to smoothies!

27th September, 2015

There is always a bottle of that green Banana Boat Aloe Vera gel in my fridge- with the fairest of all gingers in my brood, plus other pale faces we use it a lot to soothe sunburn. I find it can be a bit sticky for a while after application- that Sukin one looks very nice. I just bought two plants last week to go all natural- I hope they are hearty as green thumb I am not.

27th September, 2015

Wow there are some awesome ways to use this, I have only use it for burns and sun burn but its a great tip for nail biters, Ill try the eyebrow hair trick too, your filled with information Nat x

Julieal
28th September, 2015

I should get my nail biter in the family on to this -hopefully it will work

MareeB
27th September, 2015

They're great Ringfamily - just soak the soil a couple of times per year and they don't need anything else from you. You can talk to them if you like though, they'll appreciate that :)

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