8 Beauty Uses For Aloe Vera Gel That You Didn't Know About

Aloe vera is the Wonder Woman of skincare. With its long, green spiky leaves, the aloe vera plant doesn't look like much, but behind its plain appearance hides a precious gem: a clear, mucilaginous gel loaded with amino acids, minerals and enzymes that can solve literally every beauty woe in a pinch. Whether you've got a sunburn, have dry skin that's begging for moisture or crave some relief from dandruff, aloe vera is the one to call. It's not an exaggeration to say that keeping a jar of Organic Aloe Vera in your stash can save your skin (and hair) in ANY beauty emergency. Quality is key though, so if you don't already have a plant at home, we have a very nice organic formula that doesn't contain unnecessary ingredients or fillers. Here are just a few ways this wonder plant benefits your skin and hair:  

1. Multitasking Moisturizer

Are you struggling to find a moisturizer that keeps your skin hydrated without turning it into a grease ball? Or, maybe you've simply run out of your fave moisturizer and need to come up with something in a pinch? Enter aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is made mostly of water, so it sinks in incredibly quickly, infusing your skin with a deep burst of moisture that plumps up your face, smoothes away fine lines and keeps your skin soft for hours. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it's suitable for all skin types, including acne prone and sensitive. Bonus points: you can use it all over your body, too.  

2. Sunburn soother

Now that summer is in full swing, the temperatures are boiling hot and the sun shines brightly on the skin. It's easy though to accidentally linger under it's warm rays a little bit too long and get a sunburn. There's a reason why your mom always used to take out her jar of aloe vera gel when that happened to you as a kid. Aloe vera contains Axim and Gibberellins, hormones with a secret superpower: they have anti-inflammatory properties that speed up wound healing and soothe the redness and pain of sunburns. P.S. It also soothes rashes, insects bites and allergic reactions.  

3. Post-Shave Lotion

Raise your hand if you hate shaving. I hear ya. It's an annoying chore you have to repeat. Every. Single. Day. You gotta replace those blades. Steal your partner's shaving cream. And once you're done, your skin is on fire. The itchiness drives you crazy. Ah, the joys of shaving! Next time you shave your legs (or face or underarms), grab your aloe vera gel. Slather a small amount all over the area. Ahhh. Immediate relief from the itching and irritation. The magic goes further: it also helps small nicks and cuts heal faster.  

4. Acne Buster

Ok, aloe vera can't get rid of your acne. But, it's still a precious ally in the fight against acne. It has anti-inflammatory properties, remember? It's soothing touch can significantly reduce the inflammation and redness that often comes along with acne (because bad things never come alone). It prevents new flare-ups, too.  

5. Hair Grower

Frustrated by how slowly your hair grows? I've got good news for you. Aloe vera gel is loaded with proteolytic enzymes that promote hair growth. These little workers work particularly well because aloe vera also has alkalizing properties. That's a fancy way of saying it balances the ph level of your scalp and hair – a further hair growth booster! By the way, balancing ph also keeps your scalp soft and moisturized.  

6. Dandruff Treatment

Is there anything more annoying than dandruff? It makes your head look like it's covered in snow. And the itching! You can't help scratch your head like a possessed woman. But, that makes everything oh so much worse! What's a girl to do​? Call on trusted aloe vera. The plant provides a refreshing sensation to your scalp, soothes the dryness and itchiness and keeps your scalp well-moisturized. What a relief!  

7. Itchy Scalp Fighter

Sometimes, your scalp is covered in tiny white speckles and itches like crazy just because it's dry. No dandruff here. But aloe vera comes to the rescue anyway. Its enzymes eat the excess of dead cells that has accumulated on your scalp, giving it that not so appealing snowy look. Its soothing properties alleviate the itchiness. Its watery content keeps your scalp hydrated, nourishing it back to health and preventing the problem from happening again. Phew!  

8. Hair Fall Remedy

Male pattern baldness is a common problem with men. It's a type of hair loss that occurs in a specific part of the head but, in the worst cases, can completely take over and make them bald. Using aloe vera regularly can slow down the process. That's because aloe vera rejuvenates the hair follicles, reducing the amount of falling hair.   Told ya it was an unsung skincare hero! Keep a jar of aloe vera gel at hand at all times and you'll never have to worry about skincare emergencies ever again. You'll be able to tackle them all in no time.