This humble-looking cactus that sits in many Indian household gardens or window sills is nothing short of a miracle plant. That it can grow in most climatic conditions and requires very little care, makes it a sturdy houseplant. From cosmetics to weight loss drinks to dietary supplements, traditional medicine has used aloe vera for skin and hair treatments.

Is Aloe Vera good for your skin and hair?

The gel that is found under the aloe vera skin is made up of 96% water, organic and inorganic compounds, various enzymes, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Essential amongst them is a complex carb, acemannan that nourishes skin cells and removes toxins. Aloe vera is one of the few ingredients that’s suited for all skin types like oily, dry, or sensitive skin.

Aloe vera provides a host of skin benefits like treating sunburns, acne, dryness, and hair benefits like treating dry frizzy hair, fungal infections of the scalp, dandruff, etc.

How can I use aloe vera on my face and hair?

While extracting raw aloe vera straight out of your houseplant is the most reliable way to get pure aloe vera but it can be a bit time-consuming, tricky, and messy. A cleaner, more easier way is to buy a pure, organic jar of aloe vera gel for skin and hair. You can also try aloe vera juice which will not only give you the beauty benefits of aloe vera but will also aid in weight management and boosting your digestion.

How do I use aloe vera on my hair?

You could directly apply aloe vera gel on your scalp and wash it off with mild shampoo after an hour. But a better way is to blend it with other ingredients into a nourishing hair mask. Blend together 2 tsp fresh aloe vera gel, 1 tsp of honey, and 3 tsp coconut oil and apply to your scalp. Let it rest for an hour and rinse it off with lukewarm water and a mild shampoo. This mask hydrates and nourishes your scalp helping ward off dandruff and leaving you with silky, lustrous hair. 

Benefits of Using Aloe Vera for Skin

1. Treats burns, abrasions, cuts

Aloe vera has a cooling effect on the skin thus its effectiveness when applied to minor burns and abrasions. The hydrating skin benefits of aloe vera make it the go-to choice as a pre-shaving lotion. If you end up bruising yourself, you can apply aloe vera to the affected area to help in relieving pain and burning sensations. Doing it three times a day can help in quick relief. This helps heal wounds quickly and minimizes scarring by helping boost the production of collagen with its antibacterial properties.

2. Helps in sunburn, fight dry skin and frostbite

Aloe vera’s soothing and cooling properties aid in the treatment of sunburns. But, using it as a substitute for sunscreen is not advisable. Frostbites are like winter “sunburns” and aloe vera provides healing relief for frostbites too. Aloe gel is light in its composition, so it’s suitable for all skin types and doesn’t leave your skin sticky and oily. Aloe vera can be used as an after-shower moisturizer to keep your skin supple and hydrated.

3. Helps fight psoriasis, Cold Sores, and eczema

Studies have shown the effectiveness of aloe vera in treating mild to moderate forms of psoriasis.^[1]Choonhakarn, C., P. Busaracome, B. Sripanidkulchai, and P. Sarakarn. “A prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing topical aloe vera with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in mild to moderate … Continue reading Aloe vera can be used as an effective lubricating agent to reduce psoriasis flare-ups.

Research has shown that aloe vera gel acts as a good topical treatment against the herpes virus.^[2]Rezazadeh, Fahimeh, Maryam Moshaverinia, Mohammad Motamedifar, and Montazer Alyaseri. “Assessment of anti HSV-1 activity of Aloe vera gel extract: an in vitro study.” Journal of dentistry … Continue reading. Herpes is known as an underlying cause of cold sores (aka oral herpes). To relieve discomfort and enable healing, dab a little aloe vera gel on your cold sore a few times a day.

Eczema (aka dermatitis) mostly is a reaction to an allergen or other irritants that lead to patches of itchy, irritated skin. Aloe vera’s antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties trigger skin growth and healing of irritated, broken skin.

4. Keeps acne at bay

Studies have proven that aloe vera gel, used in conjunction with traditional anti-acne medication, is very effective in treating mild to moderate acne.^[3]Hajheydari, Zohreh, Majid Saeedi, Katayoun Morteza-Semnani, and Aida Soltani. “Effect of Aloe vera topical gel combined with tretinoin in treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris: a … Continue reading Even on its own, aloe vera gel applied on the face can boost blood flow and kill harmful bacteria. Apply the gel on acne breakouts, leave overnight and rinse off in the morning with water to ward off redness and irritation.

You can also opt for an all-natural acne ease juice that contains turmeric and manjistha along with aloe vera.

Benefits of Using Aloe Vera for Hair

1. Helps fight dandruff 

Dandruff affects both men and women and flares up, particularly during cold or dry weather. Though dandruff isn’t a serious medical condition, persistent itching can cause inflammation and other scalp infections. Scientific studies prove that aloe vera’s moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties hydrate the scalp, reduce irritation, fight inflammation and prevent cell damage.^[4]Surjushe, Amar, Resham Vasani, and D. G. Saple. “Aloe vera: a short review.” Indian journal of dermatology 53, no. 4 (2008): 163.

2. Helps cleanse oily hair

Aloe vera is pretty unique since it suits all skin types and all hair types. So if you have oily hair, aloe vera will act as an excellent cleanser of excess sebum oil and other residues from your scalp and hair follicles. Aloe vera contains enzymes and fatty acids that reduce inflammation and Vit E, folic acid, and choline that nourish and strengthen hair follicles.^[5]Surjushe, Amar, Resham Vasani, and D. G. Saple. “Aloe vera: a short review.” Indian journal of dermatology 53, no. 4 (2008): 163.

3. May promote hair growth

Aloe vera is rich in vitamins A, C, and E which help replenish dead skin cells, including your scalp. Vit B12 and folic acid enrich the hair follicles preventing premature hair fall. Applying aloe vera gel after excessive sun exposure can reverse any damage to your hair.

If you find it hard to add aloe vera gel in your skincare regimen you can choose to munch on some gummies while on-the-go. These aloe vera biotin gummies are infused with a dash of beetroot and comes in a yummy strawberry flavor!

4. Acts as a complete hair care remedy

If you need an all-rounder, one size fits all solution, for all your hair woes then aloe vera is a clear winner. Use it as a cleanser for oily hair, as a medicated shampoo to treat dandruff and other scalp infections, or as an after-shower moisturizer for dry, frizzled hair.

5. Cures Fungal Infections

Candida is one of the most common fungal skin infections caused due to overgrowth of yeast. On the scalp, it can cause itchy, dry, and inflamed skin which when scratched causes the infection to spread deeper into the scalp. Left untreated Candida can affect other organs like the eyes, digestive system and can also compromise your immune system. The application of aloe vera gel soothes irritated, itchy, and inflamed skin. Its anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties restrict fungal overgrowth.

The Kapiva Aloe Vera gel is the perfect remedy for all skin as well as hair-related issues. Our bottle of aloe vera gel contains polysaccharides that are responsible for repairing wear and tear and replacing dead skin cells by promoting the production of new skin cells. The deeply nourishing properties of this Ayurvedic plant also help fight various ailments easily. Using the aloe vera skin gel daily can provide many benefits to one’s skin.

Learn how Kapiva’s aloe vera juice helps fight hair problems and improve your immunity in this video:

FAQs

Q: Is aloe vera good for the skin and hair?

Aloe vera contains active ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and peptides, that get quickly absorbed without clogging pores or making your skin oily. It has hydrating properties that lock moisture in and collagen-boosting properties that repair and replace damaged skin. Aloe vera’s antibacterial properties calm scalp irritation, itching, and other symptoms of dandruff. Used as a shampoo, aloe vera gel removes excess oil and strengthens the hair follicles.

Q: Can we apply aloe vera on face daily?

Aloe vera contains vital vitamins like Vit E that are considered good for your skin. Aloe vera is considered safe for all skin types. Applying it daily will not harm your skin. You might experience slight itching or burning when you first apply it.

As with any new ingredient that you apply to your skin for the first time, test the gel on the back of your wrist and see if you develop any rashes within a couple of hours. Avoid applying on the infected skin.

Q: Can we apply aloe vera to our skin directly?

Yes, it is completely safe to apply aloe vera gel on your skin directly. As with any new ingredient that you apply on your skin for the first time, test the gel on the back of your wrist and see if you develop any rashes within a couple of hours. Avoid applying on the infected skin.

Q: Can we apply aloe vera to our face and hair?

Yes. In fact, aloe vera is one of the most important ingredients used in most OTC hydrating skin creams and shampoos. Its skin benefits include treating dry skin, hyperpigmentation, suntans, acne, eczema, etc. Hair benefits include the treatment of dandruff, oily hair, and fungal infections.