You probably already know that aloe vera is good for your skin, but do you also know it as a natural facial treatment?
You see aloe vera in many skin care products, after-sun products and in other ointments, lotions and in gel. You can easily make your own gel and the advantage of this is that you know that real pure aloe vera is used and in a high dosage, because often there is very little aloe vera in ready-made products.
All you need is a plant and some kitchen essentials.
In itself it doesn’t take that much time to make it, about fifteen minutes. Yet, to be honest, I sometimes catch myself thinking that something from a jar is just easier and faster. Writing this article is also a motivation for me to make the gel again, knowing that it is better than many products from a jar. And I hope that it will be the same for you.
And making something yourself also just gives you a happy feeling.
Why is aloe vera good for your skin?
For centuries, this tropical succulent has been used for both internal and external healing. Numerous studies have been conducted that confirm its medicinal properties.
Some of the medicinal properties of aloe vera are:
-calming
-cooling
-disinfectant
-antifungal
Aloe vera stimulates the skin’s metabolism, reduces infections and helps to renew damaged cells.
Treating your face with aloe vera gel ensures a clear and smoother skin, it helps to reduce and prevent dark spots, to tighten large pores and to reduce and heal pimples.
In addition, aloe vera helps with a somewhat dull skin, removes fat from an overly oily skin and is a good food for dry skin and wrinkles in particular.
Due to its healing properties, you often see aloe vera in products for sunburned skin. It is also said to work well for eczema, shingles and dry, itchy patches on the skin.
If you have a (serious) skin condition, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or specialist before using this aloe vera gel, or any other natural remedy.
What you need to make your own aloe vera facial gel:
- 1 fresh aloe vera leaf
- Large bowl or dish
- 2nd smaller bowl
- Sieve
- Possibly a small jug
To make facial gel, use a sieve and not a blender, as mixing everything in a blender is more likely to leave chunks in the gel and you only need a small amount of gel.
How to make aloe vera gel for facial care?
Depending on the dryness of your skin, 10 ml of gel is usually sufficient to treat your face.
- Cut a leaf from the plant, close to the stem.
- Cut this leaf into 10 cm pieces if the leaf is very long.
- If a lot of aloin (the yellow juice) is released, dab the end of the leaf on kitchen or toilet paper.
- Cut each piece in half lengthwise so you have 2 halves. You can leave the peel in place
- Let the pieces soak in water for 5 minutes to remove even more aloin.
- Rinse the aloe vera pieces
- Place the leaf with the gel side in the sieve, apply light pressure with your fingers and gently rub the leaf back and forth
- Make sure you don’t sift too far down to the peel. The peel contains a high concentration of aloin and this can cause irritation or other allergic reactions. The sieved gel will therefore remain clear in color.
It is wise to do an allergy test before using aloe vera gel
Before you use aloe vera directly on your skin, it is very wise to do an allergy test. You do this by smearing some aloe gel on the back of your neck and waiting a few minutes. If a rash appears, your skin is allergic and you cannot use aloe. Make sure that when you do a test, that you do not smear the yellow juice, the aloin, that is released when you cut a leaf directly on your skin, because aloin can cause irritation and when making aloe vera gel we make sure that there is no aloin in the gel.
Treating your face with aloe vera gel
Apply the gel to your face and neck with rotating and stroking movements.
When your skin has absorbed the applied gel, apply extra gel.
Then rinse your face with water or use a damp sponge.
Video with information about aloe vera and how to make your own facial gel
This video is in Dutch only. But you can see visually step by step how to make the gel.
Do you have any aloe leaves left over?
Wrap each piece in cling film and stick/write a date on it. The leaf has a shelf life of several days.
You can use this for the next time to make a gel, or for direct use on the skin.
For use directly on the skin: remove the film and hold the gel side of the sheet against the skin. Spread the gel over the affected area or hold it in place with a piece of bandage.
Caring for your aloe vera plant
If you have a plant indoors, put it in a sunny spot. When the weather is nice you can of course also place your plant outside. Your plant does like a minimum temperature of 10 C. And don’t give it too much water, but also not too little. Therefore, keep a close eye on the leaves, so that they don’t start to droop (often too much water), turn brown and soft (also too much water) or shrivel (too little water) or the tips turn yellow or brown (also too little water). In autumn and winter your plant can go for weeks without water.
Some fun and organic facts about Aloe vera
Aloe Vera is one of over 400 species of Aloe and a member of the succulent family (these are plants that possess morphological and/or physiological adaptations that allow them to survive in severe drought conditions).
What makes Aloe Vera unique is a special compound known as Acemannan. Acemannan (AC) is found in the leaves and is considered a natural polysaccharide (which are carbohydrates that are made up of ten or more monosaccharide units (simple sugars / simple carbohydrates).
In addition, the plant has good biodegradability and biocompatibility. This means that it can coexist with living cells and tissue without harmful and adverse effects. In other words, it can be used safely on or in the human body.
In biomedical science, which studies the causes of human diseases and ways to combat or prevent them at the level of molecules, cells, tissues and organs, aloe vera is known for its good immunomodulatory, antiviral, antitumor and tissue regeneration effects. In addition, the gel contains dozens of other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Using aloe vera gel as a massage therapist
If you are a massage therapist like me, you can also use the gel very well in combination with a facial massage. It is also very good to combine with cucumber slices after cleansing with the gel and then massage wonderfully with your favorite oil.
Hi, my name is Jolinda, and I work as a holistic health practitioner. I provide yoga and meditation classes and massage and Reiki treatments, mindfulness training and happiness coaching,.
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