10 Of The Best Uses For Aloe Vera That Will Change Your Life
Aloe vera is the miracle plant – it can do almost anything! See what the fuss is about and try out these incredible uses for aloe vera that you may have never heard of before!
1. Hair Mask
Aloe is jam-packed with tons of vitamins that promote healthy hair. Just comb some aloe vera gel through your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes before showering, or mix the gel with other ingredients. To make a natural hair mask, combine 1 cup aloe gel, 1/2 an avocado, 2 tbsp avocado oil or your favourite hair oil, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a blender. Pour the mixture on your hair, comb through, and leave for 30 minutes before showering. Your hair will be glowing!
We recommend using fresh aloe vera for use on your hair, but you can also use aloe vera gel. Make sure that when you’re buying gel, you get one with few ingredients beyond just plain aloe vera!
2. Toothpaste
Some people report better tooth health after using aloe vera toothpaste! Simply add a bit of gel to your regular toothpaste and mix well or make your own toothpaste using natural ingredients. For a natural toothpaste, mix 3 tsp aloe gel, 5 tsp baking soda, 5 tsp vegetable glycerin or coconut oil, and chopped mint for taste. If using fresh aloe, mash it up really well before combining all of these ingredients.
Make sure that you’re using an aloe variety that is safe for consumption! Check to make sure that the plant you have at home is food safe. If using a store-bought gel, check to make sure that you can consume it safely.
3. Face Mask
Aloe vera does wonders for your face! It’s packed with water, vitamin E, vitamin C, and antioxidants that can help rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier, so it’s perfect for dry skin! To make an aloe vera-based face mask to treat dry skin, gather 2 tbsp aloe vera gel (again, we recommend using fresh aloe, but a store-bought gel is fine too), 1 tbsp raw honey, and 1/2 tbsp olive or avocado oil. Mix well and apply to your face. Leave on for about 30 minutes before rinsing off. Do this twice a week for best results. Enjoy your glowing, healthy skin!
4. As a Moisturizer
As mentioned above, aloe does wonders for dry skin! You already know how to make the face mask, but did you know you can mix it into your regular facial cream? Take the moisturizer you use on your face and mix in a bit of aloe vera gel. For this tip, we recommend a store-bought gel as it keeps longer than fresh aloe.
5. To Fight Acne
Aloe contains salicylic acid, which is a common ingredient found in acne-fighting face washes and toners. For a cheap alternative to acne face care products, just use a bit of aloe vera! Aloe is best for treating acne that results from dry or oily skin as it can unclog pores and is an effective moisturizer. For deep cystic acne, aloe vera may not be strong enough to totally zap those zits. Before applying aloe all over your face, make sure to do a spot test first!
6. Soothe Wounds, Bites, and Burns
You probably already knew that aloe vera can help soothe sunburns, but did you know that it can soothe bug bites and small wounds as well? If you’re out camping and don’t want to bring too much stuff, skip the bug bite cream and burn cream and just bring some aloe vera! Put it on small cuts to soothe the stinging pain, dot on bug bites to stop the itching, and slather on sunburns to promote healing!
7. Natural Makeup Remover
Ran out of makeup remover but need to take off your makeup? Try aloe vera! take a drop of 100% aloe vera gel and massage over your face in little circles as if you were using a cleansing oil and then rinse off. Avoid getting it in your eyes. If you don’t want to use straight aloe vera on your face, dilute it as a 1:1 solution with avocado or olive oil.
8. Shaving Cream
If you like to shave anything at all but don’t want to pour tons of money into expensive shaving creams, reach into your cupboard and grab that trusty aloe vera gel! Aloe gel is smooth, slippery, and moisturizing – perfect for shaving cream. Use pure aloe vera gel all on its own or make your own shaving cream by combining 1/3 cup aloe vera gel, 1/4 cup Castile soap or hand soap, 1 tbsp almond oil, 1/4 cup distilled warm water, 1 tsp vitamin E oil, and 5 drops of eucalyptus oil. Shake it up and store in a foaming cleanser bottle or a clean hand soap dispenser. You’ll get the best shave you’ve ever had!
9. Eyebrow Gel
Aloe gel tends to harden when left on hair. If you find yourself getting ready in the morning only to find out that you’ve run out of brow gel, don’t just crawl back into bed and cry about how your life is falling apart! Pull out that aloe vera gel, squeeze a drop onto an eyebrow spoolie, and style your brows as normal!
10. Exfoliant
As aloe contains salicylic acid, it’s a great base for exfoliants! Make your own by taking used coffee grounds, oatmeal (for extra moisture), or Himalayan salt and mix with just enough aloe gel to make a runny paste. Gently massage on your face and body for smoother, clearer, and healthier skin!
