The wonders of aloe vera, and how to include it in your beauty regime

The main advantage of aloe vera resides in its capacity to store a large amount of water in its leaves which also contain dozens of medicinal compounds with multiple properties. -- 123rf.com

Instead of reaching out to your regular beauty products you may want to look at beauty products that will benefit your skin and health in natural ways.

For example, aloe vera has multiple benefits that have long been proven and its key goodness lies in its powerful moisturisation abilities.

Aloe vera is highly prized for its moisturising properties. — AFP

Wonders of aloe vera

First documented some 6,00 years ago by the Egyptians who regarded it as a sacred plant, today aloe vera is grown in warm climates all over the world, and particularly in North Africa, South America and the Mediterranean region.

Its main advantage resides in its capacity to store a large amount of water in its leaves which also contain dozens of medicinal compounds with multiple properties.

However, for its moisturising properties, aloe vera gel, which is extracted from the plant's leaves using a specific technique, is the ingredient that is mainly used in the cosmetics sector.

Given its high water content, aloe vera gel is renowned as a moisturiser. Better still, it hydrates the complexion without any risk of that much-dreaded shiny look that is often associated with oil-based products, and it is also long-lasting and deep penetrating. All in all, it is an ideal solution for dry and dehydrated skin.

Used for thousands of years for a wide variety of ailments, aloe vera has many beauty applications. Above and beyond moisturising, aloe vera also has healing, soothing and anti-oxidant properties, which make it useful for the treatment of acne, inflamed and sensitive skin, and the effects of aging. In short, the plant offers a natural solution for virtually everyone.

Today aloe vera-based products are produced by a large number of cosmetics brands. You only have to choose the product that is best adapted to your skin type and your particular needs.

Aloe vera gel is notably available in the form of cleansers, lotions, creams and masks, for both the face and body. As always, you should try to choose organic products, or even better, it is also relatively easy to buy leaves or a plant from which you can prepare your own gel or juice yourself.

If you wish to make your own gel, you can buy plants of various sizes from gardening stores and large supermarkets for only a few euros.

Alternatively, ready-made aloe vera gel and aloe vera-based cosmetics at a wide variety of prices can be found in organic supermarkets and online.

Don't forget to read the labels to check the aloe vera content, higher levels of aloe vera indicate that products will be more effective as moisturisers. -- AFP Relaxnews