Find out what aloe vera gel is, how to make it at home, and which manufacturers make it. It also describes the benefits of this product and how it can be used. Even those who are not engaged in the manufacture of cosmetic products at home or have not delved into the composition of the care products, have heard about aloe vera. Even Christopher Columbus took this plant on board his ships in order to successfully heal the wounds of sailors.
What is aloe vera
It is impossible to say when and where aloe vera originated, since this plant rather quickly spread throughout the world by sailors and various researchers. Based on this widespread cultivation, aloe vera can be found in Asia, India, the Southern Mediterranean, America and Africa. This plant is unique in that it can fully grow in places with a very hot climate, where it rarely rains.
The plant resembles a cactus in its appearance, but in fact, aloe vera is not associated with cacti, but belongs to the group of the asphodelic family. Aloe leaves can grow up to 50 cm in length and are marked with a smooth surface with jagged edges. During flowering, you can notice the appearance of long shoots (60 to 90 cm) with bright colors of yellow or red tint.
Aloe vera gel is a translucent, jelly-like component that is extracted from aloe leaves and then thickened about ten times in order to obtain a product with a high concentration of assets, as well as for ease of use in the future. To use a full-fledged gel, it is not at all necessary to buy it in pharmacies or specialized stores, because the plant can be grown without problems at home. But we will talk about how exactly you can extract the gel from the peel of aloe leaves.
What does aloe gel consist of?
It is not for nothing that the substance under the skin of aloe is extracted to obtain raw materials, because this gel is a treasure of many nutrients. So one of the most important components in the field of cosmetology is the polysaccharide, it also masters the moisturizing properties and allows the prevention of dark circles under the eyes. This component is nothing more than sticky sugar, which serves as an excellent ingredient for a mask, without leaving a sticky feeling. Aloe also includes aloin, pectin, tannins, flavonoids, various vitamins (A, B, C, E), organic acids, more than 20 minerals and 18 amino acids, which are aimed at repairing damaged cells. The composition of aloe vera gel on average from manufacturers is as follows:
- Stabilized Aloe Vera Gel (96.3%).
- Sorbitol is a humectant, thickener and astringent.
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant.
- Citric acid - improves skin elasticity, promotes cell renewal.
- Potassium sorbate - increases the shelf life of the product, slows down the oxidation process.
- Sodium benzoate is a preservative.
- Xanthan gum - allows to obtain a more stable gel structure, increases the viscosity of the product.
- Vitamin E from wheat germ - slows down the aging process of the skin.
If you look at the products called "Aloe vera", they all differ not only by the manufacturer and the price, but also by the composition, namely by the level of purification. The most effective gel is the one that is most thoroughly purified from low molecular weight elements. If you are lucky enough to find a cheap gel, do not rush to go to the checkout, the price of the product may be understated due to poor cleaning of the product. In this case, the use of the purchased product may negatively affect the condition of your skin, including irritation.
Keep in mind that in ordinary creams, the amount of gel injected varies from 0.5 to 5%, but there are products that contain up to 80% of this component. And the higher the concentration of aloe vera in a cosmetic product, the more requirements are imposed on the purification of this substance, which is why truly high-quality elite skin care products are expensive.
Benefits and contraindications of aloe vera gel
The main advantage of aloe vera gel is that the product itself provides complete skin care, with the following properties:
- Nutritious.
- Antibacterial.
- Antiviral and antifungal.
- Protective.
In addition to the fact that the aloe gel promotes the healing of the epidermis, its soothing and moisturizing, it is able to help the owners of oily skin types, regenerating the skin and tightening the pores. Also, the gel saturates the skin with vitamins and microelements important for the skin.
Aloe vera gel is suitable for all skin types and does not cause allergic reactions. But if you decide to take aloe inside for recovery, be sure to consult a doctor, especially if you have cardiovascular diseases, kidney and liver diseases, pregnancy or feeding, low blood clotting, otherwise you can pay with your health.
Applying aloe vera gel
Cosmetic manufacturers may include aloe vera gel in their product formulations as an additional ingredient in the care of dry or mature skin that needs nourishment and hydration. The gel is indicated for skin problems such as lichen planus, eczema, herpes, acne, etc., it is also used for burns and sunburn.
On sale you can find face creams, emulsions for the care of the skin around the eyes, body milk, soothing shaving gels, hair styling gels, masks, scrubs and other products containing aloe vera gel. Despite the fact that applying the gel in its pure form causes a feeling of tightness, this symptom disappears after a few minutes.
Using aloe vera gel for facial skin
Aloe Vera Gel is a versatile and effective facial skin care product. What are the following properties of the gel in the field of cosmetology:
- It tightens pores, eliminates oily sheen, helping to restore the epidermis to those with oily skin types.
- Slows down the aging process of the skin, rejuvenating it.
- Moisturizes the stratum corneum by exfoliating dead cells.
- Helps deal with acne.
- It has excellent regenerative properties, accelerating the healing of minor cuts and wounds.
- Soothes skin after sunburn or chemical peeling.
- Eliminates skin diseases such as eczema, acne, seborrhea, dermatitis.
- Prevents the appearance of acne.
- Gives skin tone, moisturizes dehydrated and dry skin.
- Protects the skin from infections, relieves itching after a mosquito bite.
If you want to improve the condition of your skin with homemade products, you can pay attention to the following recipes:
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Mattifying cream for oily skin. For the manufacture of this cosmetic product, you will need the following components:
- Distilled water - 49.7%.
- Lemon hydrolate - 30%.
- Emulsifier Olivem 1000 - 7%.
- Eucalyptus essential oil - 0.5%.
- Arrowroot powder - 2%.
- Aloe Vera Gel - 10%
- Rosaline essential oil - 0.2%.
- Cosgard preservative - 0.6%.
Heat water, lemon hydrolate and emulsifier in one bowl in a bain-marie to 70 ° C. Remove the container with the melted mixture from the stove and stir with a whisk or clean glass rod for three minutes until a smooth consistency is obtained. As soon as the future cream has cooled to a temperature of no more than 40 ° C, add the rest of the ingredients to it, stirring before each injection.
-
Mask for dehydrated skin. Its recipe includes the following components:
- Cucumber oil - 5%.
- Emulsifier Olivem 1000 - 6%.
- Distilled water - 77%.
- Aloe Vera Gel - 5%
- Complex "Intensive hydration" (NUF) - 3%.
- Natural aroma "Flowers of Paradise" - 1%.
- Leucidal preservative - 3%.
Heat the fatty (cucumber oil and emulsifier) and water (distilled water) phases in a water bath until completely melted. Remove from heat and combine both phases, stirring vigorously for three minutes. When the uniform consistency has cooled, add gel, NMF, flavor and preservative to it. Apply the prepared mask on your face for literally five minutes, then rinse with water or tonic.
-
Serum for mature skin. To achieve a tightening effect on the skin of the face, you will need:
- Aloe Vera Gel - 20 ml.
- Rose hydrolat - 10 ml.
- Plum seed oil - 1.5 ml.
To prepare an anti-aging gel, simply mix all of the above ingredients in one container until smooth.
-
Scrub for all skin types. An exfoliating agent formulation can contain:
- Aloe Vera Gel - 30 ml.
- Rosehip powder - 2 ml.
- Natural aromatic raspberry extract - 20 drops.
- Gentle foaming base - 1.2 ml.
Mix all the ingredients until a homogeneous consistency is obtained, apply to skin pre-moistened with water and gently massage to remove dead cells and impurities. After a few minutes, wash off the scrub with water.
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Gel for mature skin. To achieve a lifting effect, prepare a cosmetic product containing:
- Aloe Vera Gel - 80.7%
- Hyaluronic acid - 0.3%.
- Rose hydrolat - 15%.
- Plum seed oil - 4%.
Transfer the alovera gel to an empty and clean container and the hyaluronic acid. Stir these two ingredients and wait about 10 minutes before mixing the mixture with a whisk to remove lumps. Do not forget to add rose hydrolat and plum seed oil to the product, stirring the product after each use.
Aloe Vera gel can also be used for body care. So moisturizing and soothing serum with the content of this component allows you to make the skin of the body more pleasant to the touch, as well as save it from dehydration. It includes:
- Aloe Vera Gel - 67%
- Calahari Melon Oil - 20%
- Emulsifier G? Lisucre - 8%.
- Intensive moisturizing complex (NUF) - 3%.
- Natural Aqua'Zen aroma - 2%.
Mix all the ingredients until a homogeneous texture is obtained and you can start applying to the skin of the body. Of course, do not forget that the condition of the skin also largely depends on the quality of nutrition.
With aloe vera gel, you can prepare and Body Scrub, for this take:
- Aloe Vera Gel - 89.8%
- Dye "Liquid Chlorophyll" - 0.2%.
- Natural aroma of honeysuckle - 1%.
- Babassu foam - 1%.
- Olive seed powder - 8%.
Mix all ingredients in one container and transfer to a clean jar.
Using aloe vera for hair
Aloe vera has a beneficial effect not only on the scalp, but also on the hair. The composition of the gel resembles keratin, which means that after using this product, the strands become more elastic and strong. Moreover, this natural ingredient comes to help with diseases associated with the scalp, such as seborrhea, neurodermatitis, baldness and eczema.
Aloe gel moisturizes and soothes the scalp, creating a protective film with regenerating properties on the surface. To get rid of dandruff problems, use special products containing aloe vera gel, or apply a clean product to the skin several times a day. The gel can be found in various shampoos, balms, masks and rinses aimed at nourishing, moisturizing and general hair improvement. Regular shampoos, for example, contain harsh surfactants, so these products are applied to the scalp for a short period of time, then, after the formation of foam, they are quickly washed off. During this time, the aloe vera gel does not have time to make its beneficial adjustments to the condition of the hair, which is why for medicinal purposes it is better to use natural shampoos that can not be washed off the skin for more than five minutes.
To prepare a mask that prevents hair loss and is intended for accelerated growth and strengthening of the hairline, you will need:
- Aloe Vera Gel - 84.5%
- Chalmugra oil - 2%.
- Poppy root extract - 5%.
- Panthenol - 5%.
- Rosemary essential oil - 0.5%.
- Babassu foam - 3%.
Mix all ingredients into one homogeneous mixture, massage into scalp and rinse off after 15-20 minutes.
How to make aloe vera gel at home
If you do not have the opportunity to buy an industrial version of aloe gel, you can make it at home by including citric acid (0.5 tsp), vitamin E (1 capsule) and 50 ml of the gel obtained from the leaves in the recipe.
- Carefully cut the bottom large leaves of the aloe flowerpot obliquely.
- Place the leaves vertically in a container for literally 10-15 minutes so that yellow juice comes out of them. If the leaves are not very large, there will be no juice at all or little will come out.
- Place the sheet on a clean surface, carefully cut off the ends with a sharp knife and cut it lengthwise.
- Collect all visible liquid with a spoon or other clean device.
- Mix the gel until smooth.
- Place the container with the resulting product in the refrigerator.
Where to buy aloe vera
If for some reason you are unable or unwilling to make the gel at home, you can order this product from online stores or purchase it at a pharmacy. Various brands of aloe vera gel can be found on sale, including:
- Aroma-zone, 100 ml - 6, 9 €.
- Velona, 50 ml - 499 rubles.
- SKIN79, 300 ml - 975 rubles.
- Holika Holika, 250 ml - 643 rubles.
- Vitara, 70 g - 400 rubles
Video review of how aloe vera gel is made:
