Aloe vera gel is one of the most popular, natural skincare products around, and has been used as an alternative medicine for thousands of years. But did you know there are benefits to applying aloe vera gel on your face overnight?
No? Well, there are! In fact, if you’re looking for clearer, brighter and softer skin, aloe vera gel may just be able to help you.
This clear, sticky, natural miracle is used world-over for a whole host of ailments, including sunburn, dry skin and even minor wounds – but can it really provide benefits for your face?
Well, we’re going to look at all the benefits of applying aloe vera gel to your face overnight, and tell you how to get the most out of this wonderful plant!
What is aloe vera gel?
The aloe vera plant has been widely used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, but has since grown in popularity as a natural, alternative product for beauty and skincare.
Aloe vera is a succulent, with short thick leaves lined with serrated edges. A bit like cacti, this plant grows naturally in hot dry climates and is thought to originate in the Arabian Peninsula.
Photo credit:
Alanah Light via Unsplash
There are, in fact, over 400 species of aloe vera plants, all with their own natural properties, but the most commonly used plant for topical medicinal purposes is aloe barbadensis miller. This particular species contains bioactive compounds including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – all of which can benefit our skin and bodies when used correctly.
But what is aloe vera gel?
Well, due to the fact this plant is designed to thrive in hot, dry climates, it has the ability to store water. As the plant stores the water, it becomes a clear, sticky gel, which lines the inside of the thick green leaves – pretty amazing!
Aloe vera gel is literally the clear substance pressed from the inside of the plant’s chunky stems, making it a 100% natural product.
So, what are the benefits to applying aloe vera gel on your face overnight?
Let’s find out!
Aloe vera gel: benefits to your skin
So, we know what aloe vera gel is and where it comes from – but what can it do for your skin?
Well, aloe vera gel has been used for centuries as a natural medicine, and is used to treat sunburn, wounds and can even be used as a natural laxative!
Of course, this sticky gel is now hailed as a natural beauty miracle, so let’s take a look at how aloe vera gel can benefit your skin!
Dry skin remedy
Aloe vera gel can do wonders when it comes to relieving dry skin.
Of course, we know the gel is created through the plant storing water in its leaves, which makes this product almost entirely H2O. So, if you apply the gel to your face overnight, it absorbs easily and quickly into the skin. This provides the perfect relief to dry, dehydrated skin!
But – don’t let this put you off if you have oily skin! Due to the fact this product is 100% natural and absorbs easily, aloe vera also works wonders as a natural moisturiser for oily skin types too. You’ll find no chemical nasties here!
Yes, aloe vera gel can leave your skin looking bright and glowing when applied as an overnight moisturiser. In fact, aloe vera gel isn’t the only natural product you can use for glowing skin skin – did you know Manuka honey is also used to achieve brighter skin?
How to: use Manuka honey for brighter skin
Soothes inflammatory acne
If you suffer from acne, you’ll be no stranger to the redness and tenderness that it can cause. Luckily, aloe vera gel may be able to provide some relief and promote clearer and less inflamed skin.
How does it do it?
Well, the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties found in aloe vera gel help to fight the bacteria. They also work as a soothing solution to calm the redness – pretty amazing!
Not only that, aloe vera gel also contains no added chemicals or fragrances. This means it is unlikely to anger already sensitive skin!
Helps to prevent wrinkles
Photo credit:
Erik Mclean via Unsplash
OK, so we’re all a bit suspicious when any product says it can help prevent wrinkles, right?
Well, of course nobody is claiming that aloe-vera gel will leave you wrinkle-free overnight, however, applying aloe-vera gel to your face – including under your eyes (where your eyebags might be…), may be able to reduce puffiness and fine-lines visible around your eyes.
The question is, how? Well, the amino acids and Vitamin E found in this natural gel can help restore moisture in this notoriously sensitive area, reducing the visibility of fine lines and even dark circles!
This miracle beauty product may also be able to restore elasticity and leave your skin looking softer and more youthful – worth a try, isn’t it?
Eczema relief
Those that suffer from eczema on their face will be aware of how uncomfortable this skin condition can be. Particularly if you are self-conscious of it.
Of course, there is no miracle cure for eczema. However, aloe vera gel may drastically improve this skin condition if applied topically. Again, the moisturising properties found in aloe vera gel can help to relieve dry, itchy skin, a common result of eczema.
So, there really are many benefits to using aloe vera gel for your skin – who’d have thought all of this came from a simple plant!
Now, let’s look at how to apply aloe vera gel to your face overnight and make the most of this natural beauty product!
How to: apply aloe vera gel on your face overnight
Photo credit: Alice Mourou via Unsplash
The best way to benefit from aloe vera gel is to leave it on your skin overnight. This way, the vitamins and nutrients have enough time to penetrate the skin and work their magic!
So, what’s the best way to apply aloe vera gel to your face overnight?
Well, it’s quite simple – so let’s take a look!
You will need:
- 100% natural aloe vera gel
- Wash your face with your normal cleanser and pat dry gently.
- Apply a light layer of aloe vera gel to your face and neck.
- Let the gel dry – it might feel a little tight and sticky at first!
- Leave overnight.
- In the morning, rinse the gel off your face and pat dry gently.
You can apply aloe vera gel to your face overnight as frequently as you need!
Of course, you don’t only have to leave aloe vera gel on your face overnight. There are many ways you can benefit from this miracle plant’s properties!
You can:
- Apply aloe vera gel directly to pimples and blemishes to reduce redness and inflammation.
- Apply aloe vera gel to areas of dryness on your face as you would a moisturiser.
- Use aloe vera gel as a facial cleanser by diluting with water and washing your face as normal.
As you can see, aloe vera gel can provide many benefits to your skin when applied on your face overnight! Added to that, there is certainly something to be said for knowing exactly what ingredients you are using on your skin. As aloe vera is a one-ingredient-wonder – you can see why it is a popular choice!
