This is me with my Aloe Vera plants - my thorny, stinky, sleazy saviors!
Everyday I use Aloe Vera from my garden to make a simple and effective face and body moisturizer. Luckily I have so many Aloe planted that I'm not in danger of running out of them any time soon.
My routine is simple - every mourning after washing my face or after any shower, instead of using chemical moisturizing products, I only use 3 ingredients - Aloe Vera gel (fresh from a leaf), Vitamin E Oil and Raw Shea Butter. I mix equal portions of each and apply the mixture all over myself... This can be especially useful for people with a light skin who like being in the sun a lot - all you outdoorsy, homesteady and sailing people out there - like myself.
The Benefits:
Aloe has regenerative properties and can repair damaged skin cells and heal burns. However, some damages are settle and take a long time to show... So by using Aloe on a regular basis, I help my skin restore itself, even when it seems OK anyway.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, which damage skin cells and cause it to age. Also it helps keep Aloe from drying and forming a thin film on your skin that can feel irritating after a while. So I always use some oil when I apply Aloe.
Raw Shea Butter pretty much locks moisture onto the skin, keeping skin cells moist and elastic - which helps reduce wrinkles and blemishes.
I also do this exact routine after exfoliating my skin with another home-made mixture: Coffee/Brown sugar/Coconut Oil Scrub.
And in general, I try to not apply cosmetic products or makeup, even the ones that say "organic" and even "vegan". That is of courser my personal preference and I can't speak for anyone but myself. I know there are different skin types out there, and what works for me might not work for others... But, I thought I'd share with you my own approach, since there bound to be readers that have the same completion as me, who can benefit from these skincare tips.
Of course Aloe benefits don't stop there, you can add it to your diet, and use it in hair masks, etc. So consider planting this miracle plant where you live and see it grow fast! When I finally live-aboard a sailboat, I will try to bring some potted Aloe with me - they seem to thrive in most conditions.
much aLOe VE!
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