Sometimes the best products are right in front of your face and you don’t even realize it. As a woman with tragically sensitive skin, I’m sadly barred from using many beauty products on the market. This is like being a foodie with no sense of taste or smell. If you also have sensitive skin, you understand exactly where I’m coming from. Attempting a new product on your face can be as anxiety-inducing as blind folding yourself and kissing a random stranger at a bar -you simply don’t know what to expect. Will you wake up with a weird rash? Is there a weird smell? Will you end up with a giant pimple at the end of your nose? Who knows! It’s terrifying.
However, there is one product I can put anywhere and never have to worry about problems -it heals, it moisturizes, it depuffs, it helps acne, it does everything and I use it religiously. This product is 100% pure aloe vera gel. The clear kind, with zero additives -no scent, color, or otherwise. If you have sensitive skin or simply need moisturizing and healing, pure aloe vera gel can do wonders for your skin. Let’s break down the different ways to use it.
Acne
If you have acne, pure aloe vera is a godsend. You don’t need drying and power tool sand blasting, you need healing. Not only can it be used to heal and prevent blemishes, it’s the single best product for post-extraction redness. If you’ve just had extractions or picked a pimple, The worst thing you can do is further irritate post-extracted skin with BHA’s, acids or benzoyl peroxide. Instead, immediately cover the area with a thick layer of pure aloe vera. You’ll be amazed at the reduction of redness and swelling. It’s also great to slather your face in a thick layer at bedtime. If you’re using other acne medications such as benzoyl peroxide, you can slather this over the top to help prevent irritation.
De-puffing
One of my favorite things to do is to stick a bottle of aloe vera in the fridge and apply as a mask over my whole face in the morning. (Be careful near your eyes though. If you get too close it can sting.) Continue with your usual routine and leave on as long as you want to allow the aloe to do its handy work. This immediately cools, depuffs and perks up your face. I promise you’ll be glowing afterward!
General Healing
Pure aloe vera is amazing for any redness, rashes, burns or irritations. It speeds up healing tenfold. Enough said.
Light moisturizing
If you have oily or sensitive skin, pure aloe vera works great as a non-greasy, light moisturizer. Apply a nickel sized amount over your whole face and allow to sink in for about 10 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how great it is under makeup!
As a DIY Mask Base
Aloe vera is great for creating a DIY mask. Add honey, yogurt, avocado or your chosen ingredients to make a soothing at-home mask that will leave your skin moisturized and healthy.
As a DIY Scrub
Combine baking soda with aloe vera for the perfect soothing at-home scrub. Simply mix equal parts of aloe vera and baking soda together and scrub anywhere on the body that needs exfoliating. The formula is perfect for people with dry/sensitive skin who would otherwise get irritated from baking soda alone.
What to Buy
Very important: Make sure that you buy 100% clear, pure aloe vera gel. The label on the bottle should simply say: 100% pure aloe vera. There should be no other additives, alcohols, colors or scents. If the aloe has anything added to it, it will not work the same. It has to be pure.
Our favorite is Fruit of the Earth’s Clear 100% Aloe Gel. Available at most drugstores for about $6. We hope you enjoy the amazing benefits of this $6 miracle product!
