Aloe vera is one of my favourite, most versatile and easy to look after plant, loaded with skin and gut loving benefits!
The Benefits of Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a popular ingredient in skincare formulas because of it’s soothing, anti-inflammatory, moisturising and antioxidant rich nature. This makes aloe not only amazing at healing and soothing sunburn, rashes and other skin irritations but also for nourishing any skin type and promoting a clear, bright and plump complexion. The benefits don’t stop there though, aloe also contains incredible healing properties for your gut and can support a range of digestive issues such as constipation and boosts the immune system. This may be because Aloe Vera contains a range of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other active constituents which contribute to it’s healing, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-fungal properties.
If you don’t own your own aloe plant, you can buy the juice at most supermarkets and health food stores, just make sure it is 100% Aloe Vera with nothing added. You can drink this juice for digestive health and all of the other benefits I mentioned. For skin care, I prefer to use the gel which may be more difficult to come by because most gel’s have added ingredients, particularly if you find the ones that are advertised for sunburn.
You can either make your own skin care recipes using aloe or you can look for natural skin care brands that use aloe in them. I like to do a bit of both. My hair products all contain Aloe Vera as the first ingredient instead of water and I find this hydrates my hair much more too.
Aloe Eye Gel Recipe
This aloe eye gel recipe is great to reduce puffiness and brighten tired eyes. I also find it is great for any skin irritations, rashes, bites or sunburn!
Ingredients:
1-2 Aloe Vera leaves
5-10cm cucumber
1-2 tsp witch hazel water
1tbsp chamomile tea, cooled (optional)
Method:
1. To extract the Aloe Vera gel, using a sharp knife cut the spikes off and then slice the top layer of skin. Scoop out the gel, making sure you don’t get any green fibres and then place in a blender to liquify the gel.
Note: when cutting the leaves, place the cut edge face-down for 10-15 minutes to allow the yellow liquid to drip out. This yellow liquid can irritate skin
2. Roughly chop the cucumber and blend or juice. Strain using cheesecloth or a milk bag and discard the solids.
3. Mix together the cucumber juice, Aloe Vera, witch hazel and chamomile. Depending on how much Aloe Vera was extracted, you may need to reduce or increase the other liquids so it’s not too watery. Keep in the fridge and use within the week!
4. Apply this eye gel as often as needed!
Note: Witch hazel is anti-inflammatory and an astringent which means it contracts skin cells, firming skin.
I hope you enjoy this refreshing Aloe eye gel!
Allison xo
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