Aloe vera for Hair and Skin

Aloe vera has been known and used for centuries for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. It is one of the most used plants in the world. The gel inside Aloe vera leaves is a magic home remedy that can do wonders on your skin and hair. If you have dry skin or hair, a minor burn or a sunburn Aloe vera can be your first to go option. 

Aloe vera in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, Aloe vera is known as ‘Kumari’ meaning ‘Young Girl’, a fitting term for this amazing plant that imparts youthful energy and enhances femininity. It also mitigates menstrual disorders.

The basonym of the drug is ‘Kumarayati kridate svalpenaapi jalena seetalatvat’  which indicates ‘Plant can survive with little quantity of water and has cooling effect’.

It is a ‘Tridosha hara’ herb that balances all the three doshas; Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

It is bitter, sweet, cooling, unctuous, anti-inflammatory, tonic, purifying, rejuvenating, clarifying and purgative. It is used mainly in the treatment of skin diseases, burns, dyspepsia, amenorrhea, colic, constipation, carbuncles, worm infestations and infections.

Benefits of Aloe vera for skin care:

1. Moisturizes the skin

 Aloe vera gel contains more than 80% of water which makes it an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. It acts a protective layer for the skin and locks in moisture. It moisturizes the skin without leaving a greasy residue making it ideal for oily skin also. It also keeps the skin cells intact and thus making the skin smooth and firm.

2. Soothes Sunburn

Natural cooling and anti-inflammatory property of Aloe vera gel helps to soothe red and inflamed skin and makes it the best remedy for sunburn. Aloin a compound found in Aloe vera, has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property that aids in skin healing process and aloin has also been proven to reverse UV damage especially from sunburns.

3. Promotes wound healing

Glucomannan, a mannose polysaccharide and gibberellin, a growth hormone speeds up the collagen formation, change collagen composition and increase collagen cross linking which accelerate wound healing. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties help to reduce the inflammation and speed up wound repair.

4. Antiaging property

Aloe vera contains Vitamin A,C,E all of which aid production of collagen and maintain skin elasticity. The more collagen the lesser wrinkles and fine lines and younger the skin will be.

5. Eradicate blemishes and hyperpigmentation

Aloesin present in Aloe vera reduce hyperpigmentation by naturally inhibiting melanin overproduction in the skin. Hence it helps to lighten the dark spots, blemishes, dark circles and acne marks.

6. Reduce acne

Mild astringent property of Aloe vera helps to unclog the pores by removing the dirt and sebum which is vital for treating acne. The anti-inflammatory property reduce the redness and inflammation caused by the acne.

7. Antiseptic effect

Aloe vera contains antiseptic agents like lupeol and salicylic acid which have inhibitory effect on fungi, bacteria and viruses. It helps to reduce the skin infection especially of the acne prone skin.

8. Heal burns

Beneficial in the treatment of minor burns by boosting cell repair and regeneration and thereby reducing the healing time.

9. Exfoliates the skin

Aloe vera is a mild and safe exfoliator. Natural saponins and salicylic acid present in Aloe vera helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells and infection causing bacteria from the skin pores.

How to use Aloe vera for skin care:

1. Sunburn

 Apply fresh Aloe vera gel, it provides a protective layer and retains the moisture which gives nice soothing and cooling effect.

2. Hyperpigmentation

Aloe vera gel mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder applied on pigmented areas of the skin helps to lighten the marks gradually.

3. Dry skin

 Aloe vera gel mixed with honey and coconut oil helps in hydrating dry and dull skin, thus leaving it soft and smooth.

4. Oily Skin

Aloe vera gel mixed with lemon juice is a perfect remedy for oily skin as both are natural astringents.

5. Normal Skin

 Aloe vera gel mixed with rose water helps in moisturizing and revitalizing the skin.

6. Exfoliation

Mix Aloe vera gel with sugar granules and gently scrub it on the skin. It is a mild way to exfoliate your skin.

7. Minor burn

Apply fresh Aloe vera gel on the affected area. It helps to reduce the pain and inflammation.

8. Acne breakout

Apply fresh Aloe vera gel on the affected part and leave it for 30 minutes and wash it off with normal water. It gives an instant relief for the pain and inflammation in the skin.

Benefits of Aloe vera for hair care:

1. Strengthens hair

Vitamin A, B12, C, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids in Aloe vera helps in making the hair follicles healthy and thereby strengthens the hair.

2. Helps hair growth

Aloe vera is found to be beneficial in improving hair health and lessen hair breakage and hence contributes to hair growth.

3. Treats dandruff

Aloe vera’s use in the seborrheic dermatitis is one of its claimed benefit for treating dandruff. It significantly reduces the scaliness and itchiness of the scalp.

4. Hair and scalp conditioner

Aloe vera help to condition the hair and moisturize the dry scalp by retaining the moisture.

5. Controls greasy hair

 Enzymes in Aloe vera break down the fats and remove any extra oil from hair.

6. Protection from UV damage

Aloe vera can protect the hair from damage caused by UV exposure  like loss of shine and color, roughness and less elastic which leads to breakage.

How to use Aloe vera for hair care:

For greasy hair
Mix 2 table spoons of Aloe vera gel with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Massage it on hair and scalp. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse the hair and scalp thoroughly. It deep clean the hair by removing extra oil and dirt on the scalp and hair that may have built overtime.

Hair and Scalp treatment
Mix Aloe vera gel with few drops of castor oil, coconut oil or jojoba oil and massage the mix into your scalp and hair. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse it off with normal water. It helps to impart shine and vitality to the hair.

How to extract the gel from an Aloe vera plant at home:

·      Select a leaf (older and thicker) ideally from the outer part of the plant.

·      Allow the yellow latex to drain away from the leaf.

·      Rinse the leaf carefully.

·      Remove the spines at the ends of the leaf with sharp knife.

·      Peel the leaf lengthwise to remove the skin.

·      Scoop the clear gel and collect in a bowl.

Storage
Fresh Aloe vera gel doesn’t last very long. I would advise you to store it in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator and use for up to a week.

Tips
Ideally use fresh aloe vera gel from the plant. This is not always readily available in the UK therefore it is perfectly fine to purchase Aloe vera gel from a health or beauty store. Ensure you select a product with 100% pure organic Aloe vera.

Dr Aneesia Satheesan
BAMS, MD(Ay), MSc
Ayurveda Doctor

BAMS, University of Health Sciences Kerala

MD Dravyagunavijnan (Ayurvedic Pharmacology and Materia Medica)

MSc, Drug Discovery & Development, UCL London