Aloe vera was my very first introduction to the healing power of plants. I remember being taught as a young teen that keeping an aloe plant around was helpful for treating burns, and I was amazed when I had the chance to really try it out. It worked! But wow is it useful for so much more than a sunburn, and I’d love to see our culture really embrace the healing power of this plant. Natural skincare is a great place to start as aloe is featured prominently in so many products.
Aloe vera is a type of cactus plant, and its leaves secrete a clear gel when broken off from the plant. This gel is wonderfully healing, moisturizing and calming. Aloe contains many antioxidants and vitamins, including beta-carotene plus vitamins C and E, which help rejuvenate and diminish signs of aging. Aloe also contains hormones that stimulate wound healing and offer anti-inflammatory support. One hormone in particular helps stimulate the growth of new cells, which helps skin heal quickly.
Aloe soothes itchy or inflamed skin, making it a great treatment for skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and even acne. Finally, aloe is moisturizing and plumping but incredibly light weight, so it’s perfect for oily skin types or people who don’t like the standard creams and oils. It makes an awesome post shave treatment, too!
Keep aloe vera on hand for summer burns, bites and rashes, and look for aloe in the following products…
- Babo Botanicals After Sun Soothing Hydrating Gel
- Raw Elements Revitalizing Skin Tonic
- La Bella Figura Crema Supernova Day Cream
- Kahina Giving Beauty Toning Mist
- Ursa Major Fortifying Face Balm
- Josh Rosebrook Complete Moisture Cleanse or Hydrating Accelerator
- Earthwise Beauty Nap in the Meadow Face Serum
Aloe Vera is amazing! The Ursa Major balm has become a huge hit with my husband, the aloe in it has really been soothing to his skin & heals any shaving nicks as an added bonus. Wanted to add two more products with aloe vera in them to your fabulous list that I love buying from Integrity Botanicals: Kari Gran’s Hydrating Tonic mist (I mist it on my face and hair daily for a big dose of aloe vera) and the Babo Botanicals Swim & Sport Spray – we use that on the whole family’s hair before & right after swimming and on my daughter’s dry hair in the morning to smooth frizz (has a lovely fresh apple scent). Thanks for another great post on one of nature’s best ingredients!