Aloe Characteristics
Aloe flower (Aloe Vera) refers to succulents, i.e. plants adapted to life in conditions of limited water. It grows naturally in the Arabian Peninsula and Africa. Its greenhouse cultivation is the most common.
Evergreen, long and fleshy leaves are arranged in squat rosettes. With small spikes along the edges, they are covered with a bluish wax coating. Aloe leaves are filled with a large amount of colorless juice, consisting mainly of water. The most common variety is Aloe Vera.
Note! Aloe plant is a real treasure trove of valuable nutrients for health, contains more than 200 different active substances, high content of vitamins and minerals.
It is rich in vitamins C, E and B, enzymes, moisturizers, salicylic acid, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and more. It is also rich in amino acids, enzymes and fatty acids. Such a care composition of various ingredients is suitable for owners of various skin types – from oily and acne to dry and dehydrated.
Aloe gel has the consistency of jelly, so it does not flow even when applied in a thick layer to the skin or hair. The higher the percentage of aloe extract, the more valuable it is for the skin.
This unique extract has moisturizing, smoothing, nourishing, soothing, softening, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
High content of amino acids and fatty acids. Aloe vera contains 18 to 20 amino acids, including 7-8 amino acids not produced by the human body. It also contains a large amount of fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, caprylic, oleic and myristic acids).
Aloe: plant properties
Aloe gel is a universal cosmetic product that can be used all year round. Due to its healing properties, it is one of the main ingredients used in both the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries: it promotes the healing of all kinds of wounds, acts as a sedative, antipruritic, and has astringent properties.
It can be used internally, as a dietary supplement, or externally, applied to the affected area of the skin.
Due to the exceptional richness of active ingredients, it has a fairly wide spectrum of action:
- with irritation after sunbathing or shaving;
- eliminates dark circles under the eyes;
- enhances the effect of a moisturizer;
- for dry and brittle hair;
- in case of dry dandruff;
- as a base for make-up;
- acts as a moisturizing mask;
- as a replacement for body lotion;
- as an antibacterial gel in the healing of small wounds.
The unique effect of Aloe Vera gel is based on its moisturizing properties, i.e. a substance that can bind water in the epidermis and increase the moisture level of the skin or hair. In addition, the valuable properties of aloe gel are due to the vitamins and microelements contained in it.
Soothes irritation and inflammation
Aloe Vera contains many substances that soothe and speed up the healing of the skin, and help slow down or stop the development of inflammation.
Due to its high water content (up to 96%), Aloe Vera is a moisturizing agent. Aloe plant enhances the elasticity of the skin, helps in the delivery of oxygen to the cells.
Antiseptic and disinfectant properties
Biologically active substances sulfur, salicylic acid, phenol prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and increase the antibacterial activity of the body.
Aloe gel relieves inflammation and irritation of the skin, accelerates wound healing. The soothing properties of aloe juice treat allergies and hard-to-heal wounds, lower blood sugar levels, and increase the body’s immunity.
A big benefit of aloe vera gel is its moisturizing properties for dry, flaky skin. It also works well for dry heels, knees and elbows.
Ointments, creams and gels with aloe vera are useful for many skin conditions, such as pressure sores, wounds or burns. Aloe extract also contains substances that suppress inflammation and have an analgesic effect.
Cosmetics with aloe Vera
Aloe is widely used in natural cosmetics. It perfectly moisturizes, regenerates, soothes irritations and reduces puffiness.
Aloe Vera Facial Gel is recommended for all skin types, from dry and sensitive to problem skin with acne. This cosmetic also works well in restoring and maintaining the hydro-lipid balance of all other skin types.
It is an ally in the fight against acne and enlarged pores, helps to eliminate spots and other changes on the face, décolleté, hands. Thus, it restores the healthy color and smoothness of the skin.
For very dry skin, it is better to apply it before the cream, as a moisturizing facial serum. Gently apply to cleansed, damp skin and allow to dry. On dry, dehydrated skin, a thick layer of aloe vera gel is applied as a mask, and after 15 minutes, the residue is removed from the face with a cotton pad.
Additional Information! You can add some aloe vera gel to your daily skin care cream or apply it on your face before applying your skin care product. This will give the cosmetic additional moisturizing properties and the skin will retain moisture longer.
Mask for the face
Aloe vera gel can be used as a mask that will moisturize the skin, soothe irritations, relieve skin itching and reduce swelling. To obtain a mask, it is enough, for example, to add a little gel to any clay of your choice and mix everything together until the desired smooth consistency is obtained. In this case, aloe vera will not only enrich the properties of the clay, but also make it easier to apply. Apply the finished mask on the face for about 10-15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Then apply a cream, serum or care oil to the face.
Effects of Aloe Vera on the skin
Gel after sun
Aloe gel should be applied to the face after sunbathing. It will quickly soothe irritated and reddened skin.
Note! Based on aloe vera gel, you can create after-sun cosmetics that mitigate the possible negative effects of sunbathing.
To do this, combine aloe vera gel and water or hydrosol, if it is at hand, add a little glycerin, a few drops of lavender oil and a small amount of D-panthenol if desired. Shake well before use and apply several times a day directly to irritated skin.
Shaving cream or depilatory cream
Thanks to its well-known antibacterial and antiseptic properties, as well as soothing and slightly astringent properties, aloe vera gel is excellent as an aftershave and depilatory treatment. Wound healing accelerating substances contained can slow down or stop the inflammation that develops on the skin.
Aloe gel is applied directly to dry skin in the same way as any other body care product. Due to the high concentration of ingredients, it will work harder.
This unique remedy should be applied to excessively dry areas of the body such as elbows, knees, ankles or heels.
Aloe gel for hair: how to use?
The effect of aloe vera on hair. Aloe gel is suitable for different types of hair and scalp. It is especially recommended for people with dull, dry and brittle strands, as well as for owners of excessively falling and weak hair. Aloe as a humectant increases the water content in the stratum corneum. Thanks to these properties, it provides the scalp and hair with proper hydration.
Hair becomes smoother, softer and shinier. The nutritional properties of aloe nourish the scalp and hair follicles. Thus, they restore the correct pH of the scalp, eliminating dry dandruff, itching and hair loss. After using it, the hair will regain moisture, shine and softness.
How to apply aloe vera gel on hair? It is used in different ways: applied only to the tips or added to a mask or conditioner. Thanks to this, the products will be enriched with valuable nutrients. In areas covered with dandruff and in those parts where itching occurs, rub a small amount. Aloe gel should solve this problem.
Aloe gel is suitable for lubricating hair along with oil. Aloe vera gel is applied to dry hair, and then any oil. Keep this mixture on your hair for about an hour, and then rinse thoroughly with shampoo. The combination of aloe vera gel and oil will provide strong moisture to the hair and make it perfectly smooth after drying.
