Cold-pressed: Many of the best aloe vera gels are cold-pressed, which means the gel was extracted from the leaves without the use of heat. (Heat can break down the plant’s natural vitamins and other beneficial compounds. Believe it or not, drinking aloe vera juice is one of the best ways to reap health benefits from the plant. What is aloe vera juice? Melanie Grant is a trusted aesthetician and the brains behind some of the most enviable complexions in the business. What’s the best way to use aloe to its full potential? Next, experts share the aloe vera uses that are worth a try. Moisturize your skin While aloe vera gel is the most commonly used product of the aloe vera plant, many people also make use of aloe vera juice, which is the yellow sap surrounding the gel inside the plant’s leaves. When buying aloe vera, it’s important not to assume the juice and the gel are interchangeable.

Acne: Smooth a light coating of aloe vera gel over your face or other acne-prone areas once or twice a day. The gel helps heal existing pimples while reducing the development of further blemishes. Yes, aloe vera gel is safe to use as a natural lubricant, since it doesn’t contain any oil to break down the efficacy of condoms, Jennifer Wider, MD, recently told Prevention. Just be sure to use an organic, 100 percent aloe vera gel that doesn’t contain any perfumes or additives to avoid potential irritation. Relieve itchy bug bites Make sure you remove all traces of the skin from the plant. The skin adds a bitter, unpleasant flavor. You can rinse the gel under running water to help remove all traces of it.

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So unless you have a specific allergy or sensitivity, aloe is great if you want to soothe skin and reduce redness.If your skin is dry and you want extra hydration, look for other moisturizing ingredients along with aloe, like glycerin and camellia oil in Innisfree Vitalizing Soothing Gel or purslane in Dr. Barbara Sturm Aloe Vera Gel. David Kiefer, MD, research fellow, Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin; clinical assistant professor, Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson. In addition to its antifungal and antibacterial compounds, aloe vera contains salicylic acid, an exfoliating ingredient that unclogs pores, says Dr. González. Plus, it can help moisturize dry patches that result from harsh acne medications. While more research needs to be done to truly understand how aloe interacts with acne, it’s a popular natural remedy that yields positive results for many people, she adds. Just note that using aloe alone probably won’t be enough to treat severe, cystic pimples. You’ll likely need to work with your dermatologist to find the right zit-zapping plan for you. Remove your makeup

Many brands of aloe vera gel use organic ingredients, meaning the aloe was grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment and your skin. Choose an organic brand for the purest ingredients. FAQ Q. Does aloe vera gel have an odor? Talk to your doctor before using it. Researchers warn against the chronic use of aloe vera. But if the aloe vera product is free of aloin -- an extract of the plant that has been found to cause colorectal cancer in rats -- it may be OK as a topical remedy for sunburn. Aloin is found between the outer leaf of the aloe plant and the gel inside. However, adding one or both of the vitamins significantly increases the shelf life to up to 2 months in the refrigerator. But scientific studies on the benefits of aloe vera are mixed. Because aloe contains so many different properties, it’s hard to focus on each one specifically. Plus, every study published on aloe uses its own unique form of the plant (there are 420 species of aloe!), making it difficult for scientists to accurately compare the effects of aloe vera among the ever-growing body of research. At this point, your gel is ready to use. However, if you plan on keeping it for more than 1 week, you should add preservatives. 3. Add preservatives (optional)

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RELATED ARTICLE: 9 ways to use Aloe Vera for skin and hair Tips for finding dermatologist-recommended But with that being said, she explains that it’s still a wonderful addition to skincare products, so don’t hesitate if it's listed as one of the ingredients.

Though the gel naturally contains some of these vitamins, it’s not enough to preserve the gel for longer than 1 week. The nutrients found in aloe vera juice can provide some health benefits. Beta-carotene is a yellow-red pigment that's found in aloe vera plants. It acts as an antioxidant that can help support eye health, including retinal and corneal function. What’s more, you can freeze aloe gel in small batches — for instance, in an ice cube tray — to have small amounts at the ready. Frozen aloe gel can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Summary PubMed: “Effects of Aloe vera cream on chronic anal fissure pain, wound healing and hemorrhaging upon defection: a prospective double blind clinical trial.”Simply add the powdered vitamins directly to the blender and mix the gel once more until the additives are fully incorporated. Storage directions While aloe vera helps soothe sunburn, research shows that it’s not an effective way to prevent sunburn, so make sure you wear sun protection every day! 3. Small abrasions