For centuries, this humble cactus-like-looking plant has been considered a magic potion for skin and hair care. Often hiding in our gardens in plain sight, aloe vera is full of many beauty and medicinal properties. The aloe vera extract comprises 96% water, organic and inorganic compounds, various enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Let’s look closely at the advantages of including it in your skincare.

Benefits of aloe vera extract for skin
Aloe vera provides a host of skin benefits like treating sunburns, acne, dryness, and hair benefits like treating dry frizzy hair, fungal infections of the scalp, dandruff, etc. Including it in your skincare ensures healthy, glowing and plump skin.


Moisturizes the skin
Aloe vera gets easily absorbed in the skin and helps lock the moisture. Unlike the regular market-bought moisturizers, it doesn’t leave a greasy film on the face and skin. It does the opposite - it unclogs the pores and softens the skin.

Soothes sunburns
Aloe Vera is known for its cooling properties. Hence, it is one of the most natural remedies for sunburn or burnt skin. Applying this gel helps with a protective layer for the skin and helps retain moisture. In addition, it is rich in antioxidants and minerals that boost the healing process.

Helps in wound healing
Be it a burn or a cut, applying aloe vera extract is highly beneficial. Not only does it have cooling properties but is also anti-inflammatory. In addition, it boosts the healing of wounds by speeding up skin cell reproduction. It is also known to penetrate the epidermis, i.e. the outer layer of the skin, faster than water.

Fights premature ageing
Rich in Vit C, E and beta-carotene, topical application of aloe vera gel can also help reduce the signs of ageing. It increases the production of collagen in the body and enhances skin elasticity. This reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles gradually.

Reduces infection & acne
Acne is terrible, and scarring is the worst. Aloe vera’s antimicrobial properties help in keeping the acne-causing bacteria away and the hormones present in the gel help in reducing the blemishes and scars. In addition, it contains polysaccharides and gibberellins. These help in the growth of new cells and at the same time, reduce inflammation and redness. It also works as an astringent that reduces the size of pores, flushing out the excess sebum, microbes, and dirt.

Lightens blemishes on the face
Aloe Vera contains powers to boost skin cell reproduction, reduce redness, and fight skin inflammation; it is a natural treatment for stretch marks and acne marks.

Benefits of using aloe vera extract on hair

Helps in hair growth
Just like skin reproduction, aloe vera is also effective in activating new hair growth. In addition, it provides essential minerals and vitamins that help repair the dead skin cells on the scalp.

Keeps dandruff away
The dry white flakes are really annoying! It can happen due to any reason - dry skin, fungal infection or excessively oily skin. Aloe vara’s antimicrobial properties are effective in keeping the infection at bay and the moisturizing properties heal the skin.

Acts as a conditioner to the scalp and hair
Just as it moisturizes the skin, applying aloe vera extract to your hair and scalp will also condition the hair and make it soft. Applying it regularly will help maintain the vitality of the hair and retain its shine.


Ways of using aloe vera
Now that you have understood the benefits of using aloe vera gel, the next question that comes to mind is - how to apply it! Well.. it is very much easy!

You can easily include it in your skincare by going for aloe vera-infused creams, lotions, cleansers, face mists or sheet masks or you can go the natural way. Get the aloe vera extract gel yourself! Then, all you need to do is plant the plant! Don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb, as this plant does not require much upkeep. Once you have the plant, select its fatter leaves or stems and cut it from the base. Or you may pull the leaves from their bottom. But be careful as the plant has thorns.

Next, use a sharp knife to slice the thorns from the edge of each leaf. Then slice the stalk in half and keep the gel side up. You may slice open leaf as well. Finally, use a spoon to scrape the gel out into a container. When all the gel is extracted, refrigerate the gel. You can use this gel in various ways by making DIY masks or lotions at home!

If this process seems too tedious for you, you can also buy Aloe Vera gel from the market. Or you can go for Rejusure’s glycolic acid face mist. It comes infused with the goodness of aloe vera and rosewater. It is perfect for getting bright, glowing and fresh skin!