Aloe vera, a succulent perennial plant, can be grown outdoors as well as indoors, under the right temperature and soil conditions. Aloe vera masks are made using the transparent gel of the aloe vera plant, which has excellent health properties.
Aloe vera, which grows to a height of about 4 feet, is found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Caribbean, Latin America and South Africa. Its leaves – especially gel and latex – have been used for medicinal purposes for several centuries.
The thick, clear gel is located inside each sheet, and is used to treat minor burns and cuts. It is composed of 99% water and 1% contains glycoproteins, polysaccharides, amino acids, tannins, enzymes, sterols and lipids. Aloe vera is available for external and internal use as ointments, creams, tablets, juice, capsules and beauty masks.
Benefits of aloe vera masks
- It helps in aging and wrinkled skin. Aloe vera gelis a soothing natural moisturizer that can protect and nourish an aging skin that has been exposed to years of environmental pollution.
- It improves collagen levels that prevent wrinkles and sagging skin, in turn improving skin elasticity.
- It has antioxidant properties. Wearing aloe vera masks can prevent the formation of fine lines and protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Softens dry skin. Being a moisturizer, aloe vera can moisturize dry skin, especially during the winter months. A simple combination of aloe vera gel and honey can be put on the face for 15 minutes and then washed with warm water.
- Anyone with acne-prone skin can try using aloe vera gel in inflammation.
- It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are better and safer on the skin than conventional cortisone ointments.
- Prevents and cures sunburn. Sunburn can be painful and cause swelling and inflammation.
- Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Herbal remedies that use aloe vera gel can form a protective layer on the skin, provide a cooling effect, seal moisture and help promote healing and prevent dehydration.
As you can see, aloe vera masks can benefit all skin types. You can buy aloe vera in stores too, but making your own masks has its own advantages.
The great beauty of homemade aloe vera masks is that they can be combined with various ingredients to provide relief for the skin and help prevent or treat various skin diseases such as acne, sunburn, aging and wrinkles of the skin, dry skin, etc.
Here are some recipes for homemade aloe vera masks that you can try with ingredients that are readily available.
Homemade Aloe Vera Masks
Those who do not have growing aloe vera plants in the country can buy pure aloe vera in health stores or online and use it to make the mask.
Anyone who doesn’t have the time to make a mask can simply pluck some aloe vera leaves, squeeze the gel and refrigerate for a few minutes until it cools down.
Now, wash your face of all dirt and apply the fresh aloe vera gel to your face. Leave it for 15 minutes before washing it. This soothes the skin and repairs skin tissues as well as provide relief from sunburn.
Aloe vera mask for sensitive skin
- 4 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel.
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt.
- 6 tablespoons fresh cucumber juice.
Mix all these ingredients and apply to the face and neck and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Don’t rub your face. Rinse first with warm water and then cold and dry with a clean towel.
While aloe vera soothes and moisturizes, cucumber and yogurt are excellent for cleansing the skin. This can be used more than once a week and does not cause any side effects. You can even add rose oil for additional benefits for sensitive skin.
Aloe vera mask for skin prone to oil and acne
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera juice.
- 1 tablespoon lavender herbs, lemongrass and calendula.
- 1 tablespoon bee honey.
Take 1/2 cup of boiled water and place all herbs in it for an hour. Add honey, aloe vera and lemon juice. Apply the mask to the face for 20 minutes and wash with warm water. Repeat at least twice a week. A combination of aloe vera and honey is also useful in the treatment of oily skin with acneic tendency.
Another good combination for acne is a mask that uses 1/2 tablespoon of aloe vera gel mixed with 1/2 tablespoon of raw honey and 1 tablespoon of algae powder.
Mix all the ingredients in a container and leave for 10 minutes. Wash and dry the face before applying the aloe vera mask. Avoid the eyes. Leave this at least 15 minutes before washing with warm water.
Aloe vera mask for dry skin
- The yolk of an egg.
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera juice.
- 1 tablespoon organic yogurt.
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil.
Mix the ingredients, apply on the face, leave for 15 minutes and wash with warm water.
Apart from the benefits you get from aloe vera, sunflower oil contains vitamin E, which prevents premature aging and dry skin, yogurt has anti-aging amino acids and egg yolk is a natural moisturizer.
Another aloe vera mask can be used by mixing 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, quake, a few slices of cucumber and seedless dates along with a little lemon juice.
This paste can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks and is used a little at a time. Apply on the face, leave for 30 minutes, wash with cold, warm and then cold water again.
Aloe vera to remove tanning: This is an effective package to remove tanning. Take some lemon juice and aloe vera gel and make a paste and apply to the tanned areas. Leave this for about 10 minutes before washing.
Aloe vera to make your skin glow
- 1 pinch of turmeric.
- 1 teaspoon of honey.
- 1 teaspoon milk.
- Aloe vera gel.
- A few dropsof rose water.
Make a paste with all the ingredients, apply the mask on the face for 20 minutes and wash with cold or warm water.
Aloe vera mask for scars
Acne can leave scars and can also develop pigmentation spots, age spots, injury marks, and all can spoil the skin.
For this, you can make a paste with rose water and aloe vera gel, apply the mask on the face, massage for 2-3 minutes, leave for 20 minutes and wash with cold water. This serves to eliminate tanning and is a worthwhile package.
More aloe vera masks
Try the following combinations for different skin diseases
- For dead skin, make a paste using aloe vera gel, cucumber and oatmeal. Massage the skin with this paste, leave on for 10 minutes and wash.
- For dry skin and aging, crush some almonds until they are powdered, add aloe vera gel, make a paste, apply to the skin, and leave for 15 minutes and wash.
- For mixed skin you can make a paste using aloe vera gel, shea butter and olive oil. Apply on the face and neck and rinse with cold water after leaving it for 15 minutes.
Aloe vera mask for hair
Aside from the face, aloe vera masks can even provide food for the scalp. For a natural moisturizing hair mask, puree an avocado and add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
Apply this to the scalp, massage gently everywhere. Cover your scalp with a shower cap and leave overnight. Wash hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and gentle moisturizing oil.
Precautions during the use of aloe vera masks
Most people do not experience side effects with the above aloe vera masks unless they are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
This is important as you might not be sensitive to aloe but it is possible with other things you have put on the mask. If your skin turns red and your skin makes itchy and inflamed, wash the mask at once and do not use it again.
