Note that you should only use aloe vera gel on your pet, not aloe vera juice or fresh aloe vera leaves, as the sap can be toxic to cats and dogs. Aloe vera can be fantastic for acne because of its antibacterial properties and the fact that it contains vitamins A and C and enzymes. As well as being used for general skincare, Aloe vera can also treat multiple surface conditions that are causing you pain or irritation, such as eczema or psoriasis. The most effective aloe vera gel is cold-pressed from plant leaves and is not produced with heat which can minimize its benefits. Some good additional moisturizing ingredients include manuka honey, cucumber extract, and fruit stem cell extract.

Because aloe vera is often gentle on the skin, moisturizing, and has a gel-like consistency, it could be a good, natural option for removing makeup, Dr.

Because aloe vera is hydrating and has a slippery texture, it makes a great natural alternative to expensive shaving gels. While considered safe in topical form when used as directed, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate aloe vera products. While it’s the alcohol that actually fights germs, the aloe vera gel protects your skin from irritation and adds some thickness to the sanitizer.

Aloe vera juice contains vitamin C — a versatile vitamin that helps with immune function, for example — as well as calcium and magnesium.In conventional medicine, aloe vera is used as a topical gel, which is made from the gel-like substance inside the plant’s leaves.

People with sensitive skin should avoid artificial fragrances or "parfum", Methylisothiazolinone (a preservative), formaldehyde, and phthalates. Avoid open jar packs because they expose Aloe vera to the air, and you must dig your finger into the aloe vera in an open jar. To use a fresh aloe leaf from a plant, first cut off one of the outer leaves from the base of the plant. Erika Katz, author of Bonding Over Beauty, recommends this aloe-based shaving gel recipe: Mix 1/3 cup aloe vera gel, 1/4 cup Castile soap or hand soap, 1 Tbsp almond oil, 1/4 cup distilled warm water, 1 tsp vitamin E oil, and 5 drops of eucalyptus oil in a foaming bottle or a clean soap pump dispenser. Like other sheet masks, pat the excess product into your skin after removing the mask to make sure your skin soaks up all the nourishing ingredients.Grant suggests that for those who require constant soothing (such as after a sunburn), applying pure gel, like the nearly 100% aloe vera gel by Badger is a great solution as the skin will receive the direct benefits in the most potent form.

Also made with Seaweed Extract vs traditional Xanthan to help with absorption, leaving skin smooth but not sticky. This nearly-100% aloe vera gel doesn't contain any other ingredients besides citric and ascorbic acids and xanthan, a thickener, so it's a good option if you have sunburn or an insect bite. Its molecular structure helps heal wounds quickly and minimizes scarring by boosting collagen and fighting bacteria.

If you plan to keep it longer, you need to freeze it or add a preservative in the form of powdered vitamin C or E. Organic and cold-pressed to ensure optimal freshness, Earth’s Daughter’s aloe vera gel contains no added color, fragrance, or alcohol, and absorbs quickly sans stickiness. Unlike aloe vera-based lotions, the impact of aloe vera juice isn’t diluted by chemicals, fragrances or other substances. If you’re taking it every day for weeks, and you’re not seeing any benefit, then don’t do it,” Czerwony says. If you’ll be using the gel regularly to soothe irritated skin or maintain your skin at home, a larger bottle would probably be more convenient.