Aloe Vera is a perennial plant that grows in warm, dry areas. People have been using aloe vera gel for face and aloe vera gel for hair since ages for its medicinal and cosmetic benefits. You can also consume it directly to stay young and glowing from the inside out.

History of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has always held a position of great respect across civilizations throughout history. So much so that the legendary queen of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, also used to rely on its incredible healing capabilities. The plant derives its name from the Arabic word 'alloeh', which means 'shining, bitter substance', and ‘vera’ from Latin meaning 'true'. The first recorded mention of this plant can be found in Mesopotamian tablets dating back to around 2100 BC. Aloe vera is also known by various other names like dhritkumari in Hindi and Sanskrit, lily of the desert, burn plant, wonder plant, and more. Some historical accounts also state that aloe vera most likely was first seen in Sudan, Africa, from where it had spread to the rest of the world.

Chemical Composition of Aloe Vera Gel and its Benefits

After numerous researches on the goodness of aloe vera, it has now been given the status of a superfood. Its 75 active components also include vitamins - A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12, and minerals - calcium, sodium, iron, magnesium, potassium and copper. Abundant in antioxidants, amino acids, presence of anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties, help it to fight many diseases, support better skin and hair health, and withstand free-radical damages on the skin, hair and body that may cause cancers, heart diseases and other illnesses if not neutralised.

This is why aloe vera gel is today considered as one of the most popular natural extracts for intensive skincare and hair care. You can use it as a moisturiser, for treating sunburn and kitchen burns and to heal minor cuts and wounds. It also helps in protecting the skin from UV damages by blocking the UVA and UVB rays of the sun, while its anti-inflammatory properties help in reducing redness, swelling and itchiness.

Aloe vera gel is a plant-based hydrocolloid that can be used as a topical agent in the treatment of burns and wounds, and for various skin conditions like acne, sunburns and psoriasis.

It’s also an amazing natural moisturiser that can help heal dry skin and smooth wrinkles. Aloe vera gel has even been proven to help with acne, eczema, dry scalp, dandruff and more.

How to Use Aloe Vera Gel for Hair for Reducing Dandruff?

Scrape out some gel from an aloe leaf with a spoon or a knife. Mix it up with some water and stir well in a mixie. Then add any essential oil of your choice, preferably tea tree essential oil which particularly works on dandruff. Apply the aloe vera gel for hair thoroughly and keep it overnight, then rinse in the morning.

This will also help in repairing hair damages, reducing frizz, hair dryness and split ends, turning hair soft, smooth and shiny.

How to Use Aloe Vera Gel for Skin Firmness and Glow?

Scrape out some aloe vera gel for face from an aloe leaf with a spoon or a knife. Stir it well in a mixie. No need to add water. Just apply the smoothened gel directly onto your skin or face and gently rub it in till it gets absorbed by your skin. Let it stay till you take your next bath or face wash.

You can add multiple herb extracts in the gel to make it more nourishing for your skin.

How to Choose the Right Aloe Vera Gel for Your Skin Type and Concerns

Although scooping out aloe vera gel directly from aloe leaf is one of the best ways to source the gel, this process, however, comes with its own drawbacks. It’s too time consuming for one. That’s why selecting genuine alternatives from the market becomes the next best thing to opt for. All you have to do is go for a 100% pure and a herbally enriched version which would work on all skin types.

For this you will have to carefully look at the ingredients of the gel that you are buying. Make sure that it has:

1. No parabens, no resorcinols, no PEGs, no artificial fragrances and no added colours
2. It can have added organic compounds like vegetable glycerine, ascorbic acid or carbomer, which are totally harmless and nourishing for the skin and hair
3. Multiple herbs that add to the qualities of aloe vera
4. Non-toxic
5. Processed in FDA approved facilities with ISO and GMP compliances

Indus Valley Bio Organic 100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel is one such product that fulfils all of the above criteria. Organically grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, this naturally extracted aloe vera gel carries maximum essence of the plant. The product comes further enriched with other natural ingredients like Rose Water, Wheatgerm, Green Tea, Honey and Lemon Peel extracts, making it a highly effective gel for complete skincare. It is suitable for all skin types. Apart from providing the necessary support required during the summer season, aloe vera gives extra care during winters.

For further queries on this exquisite super-enriched plant please feel free to get in touch with our beauty and health experts through your comments below. Till then, stay beautiful, stay natural!

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