The Myth Squad – Aloe Vera is just for summer
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We’re shattering the myth that aloe vera is only for sunburns
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
Confucius
I have been working on streamlining and simplifying my life for awhile now. I do confess that I have more than my share of beauty products for a rainbow of uses. But, in my perfect “green world,” I would love to find ONE thing that would be the ultimate “silver bullet.”
Imagine my surprise when I found out this silver bullet not only exists, but was hiding in the back of my cabinet. I had it housed in the back row because I foolishly believed that aloe vera is only for sunburns. It is a myth that Aloe Vera is just for summer. It is actually great for a veritable cornucopia of uses year round.
Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer that has stood the test of time for thousands of years. This stuff is power packed with good things, including vitamins A, B, E, C, folic acid and coline, 20 amino acids and 10 minerals. According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, these vitamins protect against free radical damage and promotes cellular metabolism. No wonder aloe vera is found in countless products including sunblock, shampoo, conditioner, skin cleansers, face moisturizer, acne cream, and foundation.
Once I reaching for aloe vera for more than just burns, I became addicted. I love that it’s all natural, does not have any side effects and is full of health benefits. To top it off, it is very accessible and inexpensive (just check out all the aloe vera products 
During the last eight weeks, I have used 99% pure Aloe Vera to treat dozens of skin issues and irritations, including:
• Acne – it decreased healing time and redness
• Blisters
• Burns
• Cat scratches – decreased itching and healing time
• Chapped skin – works great on knees, heels and elbows
• Chapped lips – works like a lip balm or treatment
• Cuts
• Dry Skin
• Flea bites (from volunteering at a shelter) – helps the itchies!
• Insect bites
• Razor rash
• Mysterious bumps
• Open wounds
• Scars – it did help fade scars over time but this is not instant
• Wind burn
Attention Beauty Junkies: As a beauty aide I have used Aloe Vera as a:
• Cuticle softener
• Facial moisturizer – absorbs quickly
• Face Mask – put it on thick with your favorite essential oils and wipe off
• Body moisturizer – no need for lotion
• Brow gel – you can mix in eye shadow if you want a color other than clear
• Hair gel – as a styling aide
• Hair Conditioner
• Scalp Treatment – let it sit on your scalp w/essential oils and rinse out
• Shaving gel
So, the wht Myth Squad Verdict? Aloe vera has something to offer from head to toe, all year round! Add a bottle of pure Aloe Vera to your beauty cabinet and start reaping the benefits!
we heartsters – fan of aloe vera? What do you use it for?
I used to have an Aloe Vera plant and would use it all the time. Just broke a piece off and squeeze the juice out. Then the plant would just heal itself and continue to grow! I don’t fancy myself to have a green thumb but, this plant was super easy to care for. The only reason I no longer have it is because my cat got in the pot and uprooted the poor plant and most of the dirt was lost. I’m sure I could have saved the plant but, I was too lazy to go out and buy more dirt… wa wa.
After reading this, I really wish I had my plant back, I will probably go out and buy another one soon!
I never thought to use it as shaving gel! This is an awesome article. When I was a really little kid my aunt had an aloe plant in the bathroom and whenever any of the kids hurt themselves we got to go break a tiny point of the aloe plant and squeeze it on, and then we got a band aid. I swear sometimes we faked the scrapes because we loved that plant so much.
@hao9703 – this is such a useful and informative post! I have a big aloe vera plant on my windowsill and never dreamed it was packed full of these healing properties. And using it as brow gel is a brilliant idea!
My Mamaw has a couple aloe vera plants, and they. are. awesome. Just the thing for any skin ailment. Love this post :)
I had a few aloe vera plants in my house as well – beyond being a free and natural “ointment” for almost any skin problem, they are also very hardy plants! As long as it gets water, they’re pretty hard to kill (I did manage to do just that eventually – but I got a few years from the plant).
Thanks for this post Holly – @hao9703 – for reminding me to try again.
And by the way, my all natural “silver bullet” is Tea Tree Oil – have a scratch, itch, hive, spot, etc? Tea Tree Oil to the rescue! I may have to write a GM post like this on in honor of my beloved Tea Tree!!
When I had one (before I killed it…yes, YOU CAN KILL an aloe vera plant), I used it on my cuts, bruises, scratches, burns, blisters…I used it a lot. Basically, if you could get it from being clumsy, that’s what I used it for.
Now, I have a new Holy Grail Item called Burt’s Bees Re-Q Ointment.
P.S. Be careful with Aloe Vera around dogs and cats. It’s incredibly toxic to them if it’s ingested.
I keep a bottle of aloe vera gel in the refrigerator. Cold aloe vera gel is really soothing on itchy skin due to hives or bug bites as well as all kinds of burns.
I do have an aloe vera plant on my patio (it is fine out there year ’round in SoCal). Anyone who knows me can tell you that I can kill any plant without trying. Never ask me to look after your botanicals. However, the aloe vera plant keeps right on growing…I bought it at Home Depot when it was super tiny and now it’s huge. I had to repot it several times. No plant of mine EVER lives that long. And, yes, I do break off the leaves for medicinal purposes every now and again even though I have that big green bottle of cold gel in my fridge.
@sherrishera – Ha ha, you sound just like me. I can kill anything green. The only thing I haven’t killed is bamboo (mine last about 3-5 years. I did kill the first one I had though!). Especially don’t let me look after roses. They die within the week. Don’t ask me how because I don’t know!
I keep a tube around to use for burns, cuts, and scrapes. My kids don’t mind it since it doesn’t sting. I also use a line called L’Bri that is an aloe vere based skincare line that I love.
@hao9703, what an AWESOME article! Super informative. I’m intrigued by its use as shaving gel–I get razor and hope this helps.
I used to have an aloe plant and would use it for cuts, scrapes and burns, but there are so many other uses I had never thought of or knew about listed in this post! I’m totally going to go stock up on aloe vera!
I used to love breaking off the aloe plant and rubbing it on whatever ailed me as a kid, too! I could never leave it one for long, though – just too sticky! So, I for one am glad it comes in a lotion – thanks for all the use ideas Holly!
Loving this writeup, great article Holly! anything that’s natural and has a million uses is always so great.
@tyna –I also love Tea Tree Oil. My only complaint about that stuff is that I cannot find it in a XL Costco size bottle. I do not think you can ever have too much on hand.