Aloe gel is the "goo"-type substance that's taken straight out of the leaves of the fresh plant. This gel is a type of mucilage that offers many skin benefits and is made up of over 99% water.

Aloe is a nutrition powerhouse, containing over 200 active nutrients including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, 7 of the 8 essential amino acids, polysaccharides, and fatty acids. 

All of these nutrients give aloe its healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Eight amazing skin care benefits of aloe:

3. Acne and Other Skin Conditions

In terms of skin conditions, aloe is a star in my books. Well, not just me. According to numerous studies, it's extremely beneficial for different skin problems.

The gel contains glycoproteins, which are known for their ability to prevent pain and inflammation on the skin.

Acne

When using aloe, improvements in the condition of acne can be seen in as little as the first week.

While it may not completely cure acne, it greatly reduces the redness, swelling and inflammation associated with it. It's also useful for preventing the outbreak of acne and pimples in the first place.

Eczema and Psoriasis

Eczema and psoriasis are similar inflammatory skin conditions. Eczema causes patches of dry, red, and itchy skin. Psoriasis causes thickened, red patches of skin and silvery-white scales.

Thanks to its healing and anti-allergic properties, aloe strengthens the skin's moisture barrier to help repair the rough, and dry skin associated with eczema and psoriasis.

Aloe can cure psoriasis vulgaris (the most common form of psoriasis), with no side-effects.

Although not scientifically proven (that I know of), I have seen aloe vera work wonders on eczema when taken internally.

My cousin had really bad eczema, to the point where his mouth would crack open and bleed. He completely healed it by drinking aloe vera juice for a couple of months. It was amazing, and I recommend it to everyone for eczema.

Rosacea

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the face, causing redness and bumps.

The causes of rosacea can be really hard to determine, and there isn't really any cure. However, using aloe may actually reduce flare-ups and redness.

Frostbite

Astonishingly, aloe may even improve tissue survival after frostbite injuries.

4. Wounds

Aloe is a must have for any first aid kit. It promotes cell growth, speeds up healing, and has strong antibacterial and antifungal effects. These properties make aloe extremely helpful for treating minor cuts, scrapes and abrasions. Aloe also helps with scar formation, resulting in less visible scars.

Aloe can even be used to help heal surgical wounds and reduce pain.

Since it has a large mucilage content, it can also soothe the skin of irritations such as first and second-degree burns, rashes, bug bites and blisters. It will prevent itching from these conditions as well.

5. Aging Skin

Looking to add an anti-aging moisturizer to your skin care routine? Well, aloe will do the trick. It stimulates collagen and elastin fibres in the skin, making it more elastic, toned and less wrinkled.

You may not see instant results (it isn't botox), but with continued use your skin will be in a healthier state. Just like how keeping yourself healthy internally is important, the same is said externally.

6. Scars

Aloe can be used to treat fresh scars, stretch marks and acne scars. Like mentioned above, it stimulates collagen production and therefore promotes faster healing of scar tissue.

It's better to use aloe on newly-formed scars and minor wounds, to lessen the tissue damage. On old scars, the collagen that has built up is much

7. Fungal and Bacterial Infections

Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Why is this good? Well, it helps prevent infections in wounds. It's important to clean wounds and prevent any bacteria from growing in the first place.

Aloe can be used to treat skin infections such as ulcers, athlete's foot and cold sores. It's even effective in the treatment of genital herpes. Yes, you read that right! This study proved that a cream with a 0.5% aloe extract cured the first episodes of genital herpes in men. Imagine what you can do with 100% aloe vera.

8. Skin Cancer

Using aloe to treat cancer is unconventional, but the benefits for aloe are huge and should be known to the general public. In the past, an aloe vera manufacturer was shut down by the FDA (typical) because it had a 94% cure rate on terminal cancers. Insane, right!? Now, that's just internally, which makes it all the more incredible.

In terms of external uses, aloe is actually an anti-tumor herb.

Researchers from the University of Belgrade School of Medicine have confirmed that aloe vera and its constituents inhibit the process of skin cell proliferation that accompanies skin cancer.

In 2010, China Medical University researchers found that Emodin and Rhein, two constituents in aloe, halted tumor progression and caused cancer cells to die.

If that isn't amazing.. I don't know what is.

How To Use Aloe

Aloe-containing cosmetics can be used, but I don't recommend them. Products containing fresh aloe vera gel or juice need to have preservatives in them.

There are a few different ways to get the benefits of aloe.

The Fresh Plant

To get all of the benefits aloe vera has to offer, get the live plant and cut open a leaf to squeeze out the gel from the inside. You can use this directly on your skin, but may sting if used on a sunburn.

You can find the aloe plant at Home Depot, Ikea, Lowes, and even Walmart. To find a high quality one, call up some local plant stores and ask if their aloe was grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides and if it's GMO-free.

Thankfully, it's a cheap plant to buy.

Aloe Vera Gel

Using aloe gel is your next best option. Finding a good-quality one is difficult. I did find one brand, Lakewood, and they sell a USDA-certified organic, GMO-free aloe vera gel.

To preserve it, they use lemon juice. The only other ingredients in the formula are natural gums, which are safe to use on the skin.

Powdered

Lastly, you can also buy aloe vera in powdered form from Mountain Rose Herbs. They're an amazing company that sells high quality herbs and botanicals.

Want to bathe like Cleopatra? Throw a little bit of aloe vera powder in your bath. Or, add a little bit of water to the powder in a small container and use it as a face mask.

You can also steep aloe in hot water like you would tea, making it as strong as you want. Pour the tea into a container and apply it to your face with a cotton ball or face cloth. Make sure to keep it in the fridge and use within a week.