Beauty Benefits of Aloe Vera

7 Reasons You Need to Add Fresh Aloe Vera to Your Beauty Routine

May 11 2018 by Michelle Ku

I feel most beautiful when I'm healthy and comfortable in my own skin. That's one reason why I love aloe vera, because it nourishes me from the inside out. The spiky plant is super versatile — use the gel as a soothing moisturiser for sensitive skin, make it into a hair mask, or even cook with the vitamin-packed gel.

Although aloe is added to many different beauty products, there are so many ways to incorporate fresh aloe into your routine. You can pick up some aloe vera leaves at the grocery store, or even grow one yourself at home. Here are all the benefits!

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1. Balances Scalp and Reduces Dandruff

Aloe vera moisturises and balances the pH of your scalp, keeping the foundation for your hair healthy. Because of it's anti-fungal properties, aloe gel can also help reduce dandruff.

To make an aloe hair mask, you'll need two to three pieces of two-inch wide aloe vera (depending on the length of your hair you might want to add more) and juice from half a lemon. Prepare the aloe by cutting off the spiky skin and scooping out the gel insides. Blend the aloe gel and lemon juice until frothy, then gently rub it into your scalp and through your hair. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes, and up to overnight. After, wash it off and condition as usual. Make sure you get any tiny aloe chunks out of your hair!

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2. Aids Digestion

Healthy digestion and regular bowel movements are directly linked to clear skin and overall health. I can personally attest that working on my gut health and changing to a plant-based diet did miracles for my skin.

"Drinking aloe vera juice has been shown to fight inflammation, soothe, and relax the GI tract," said Melissa Gundersen of the Gut Health Project. If you have leaky gut syndrome, aloe vera can also "heal the lining of a damaged intestinal tract, healing and/or preventing leaky gut syndrome," according to Gundersen.

Be aware that the yellow sap (aloin) just underneath the skin of aloe vera is a very powerful laxative. This sappy latex can be harsh on the kidneys, so it should only be taken sparingly. When you cut the bottom of the leaf off, you can let the yellow sap drain out first before you move onto getting the gel out.

Simply blend two cups of water with a two-inch fresh aloe leaf until thoroughly combined, then drink immediately on an empty stomach for best results.

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3. Keeps Gums Healthy

If your dentist has mentioned that you're at risk for gingivitis or periodontitis, it's time to stock up on aloe vera. According to Dr. Richard Sudworth, member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, the miracle plant "reduces swelling of the soft tissues and consequently this reduces the bleeding of the gums."

You can incorporate it into your dental routine with a toothpaste like AloeDent, which is also fluoride-free.

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4. Fresh Source of Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to vitamins A, C, and E — all powerful antioxidants! — aloe vera is one of the few plants to contain vitamin B12, which is especially important to supplement if you're on a plant-based diet. Choline and folic acid are also present in aloe vera, along with minerals such as calcium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, and zinc.

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5. Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin

As someone prone to eczema, aloe vera gel is one of the few moisturisers that I can use. I love the cooling effect it has and it also calms itchiness. If you have dry, flaky, or particularly sensitive skin, I would definitely recommend giving aloe vera a try.

The amino acids inside aloe vera "soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores." Meanwhile, the proline acts to stabilise collagen, which promotes your skin's elasticity. Aloe even has "a protective effect against radiation damage to the skin."

If you're making your own aloe vera gel moisturiser, consider blending in some vitamin E oil as well, since it's also amazing for your skin. Tea tree oil is another great addition, since it's naturally antibacterial.

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6. Rich Source of Amino Acids

Amino acids are essential in helping the body break down food, grow and repair tissues, and strengthen the immune system. They are the building blocks of proteins and muscle tissue, and aloe vera has them in spades! The amazing plant gives you 20 of the 22 necessary amino acids, and seven out of eight essential amino acids.

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7. Soothes Sunburns, Stings, and Rashes

The cooling effect of aloe gel alleviates any hot, itchy, or painful sensations — a fact that many sunburned people know firsthand. In addition, a complex carbohydrate in aloe vera called acemannan helps accelerate wound healing. Anti-inflammatory hormones present in aloe vera, such as auxins and gibberellins, also aid in healing minor wounds.

Hot tip: freezing is an effective method for storing fresh aloe gel for a long period of time. At the top of the Summer, freeze some aloe gel in an ice cube tray. This way, you can quickly use some at anytime to soothe sunburns or mosquito bites, or even blend into your smoothies.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sheila Gim