Nabillah says that Aloe Vera has to be one of her most favourite natural skincare ingredients. It has been used for centuries, dating back to approximately 5000 years ago when the Ancient Egyptians used this miracle plant for its healing and anti-bacterial properties. The Egyptians called Aloe the ‘plant of immortality’ and it is believed that both Cleopatra and Nefertiti regularly incorporated aloe vera into their skincare and beauty routines.
Aloe very has many skincare benefits such as cooling, soothing, moisturizing, providing elasticity to the skin, tightening enlarged facial pores, and smoothing wrinkles. Below I have shared three of my favourite DIY aloe vera recipes for the skin for you to try out at home:
1. ALOE VERA AND HONEY ICE COOLERS
’During the hot summer months, this face mask is my savior to help cool, soothe and hydrate my sensitive skin. It only requires 3 ingredients and I use it three to four times a week.’
Ingredients:
Aloe Vera gel
Raw runny honey
Filter water
Method:
Scrape the gel out of 1 medium sized fresh Aloe Vera leaf. Approximately two to three tablespoons of aloe vera gel .
2 tablespoons of raw, runny honey
1 cup of filter water
Put everything in an electric blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a clean ice cube tray and place in the freezer until frozen.
When ready to use, wrap one ice cube in a light Muslim cloth or a washed makeup remover tissue wipe and gently press all over your face. I apply this face mask compress three times a week. This is a leave on mask, and does not need to wash off.
You can then apply the rest of your skincare.
Great to use in the mornings to reduce facial puffiness, tighten the skin, and to increase blood circulation to the face for a healthy plumped up and radiant complexion.
2. ALOE VERA AND RICE FLOUR FACE MASK
Ingredients
Scrape out the gel from one medium sized aloe vera leaf
3 tablespoons Organic Rice Flour
Some mineral water to create a paste
Method:
Mix all ingredients together with an electric blender
Add more flour if you prefer a thicker consistency
Apply to the face, wait for 15 minutes until the mixture dries and then wash off with lukewarm water followed by cool water.
Rice flour helps to smooth and rejuvenate the skin. It also gently lightens skin pigmentation/ post acne scarring, and helps control excess oil. Rice flour also aids in balancing and softening the skin and has brightening properties.
If you have very sensitive skin, do a patch test on a small section of the skin first. If no redness or irritation occurs apply over the whole face.
Ingredients
Thicker eyebrow elixer
1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
1 tablespoon Organic Caster oil
Method:
Mix the ingredients with a whisk in a bowl, apply the mixture to the eyebrows in the evening and leave on overnight. Rinse off in the morning. You can store any left-over mixture in a clean lidded jar in the fridge.
I apply the elixir 3 times a week for healthy eyebrows. Very nourishing for the skin under the eyebrows therefore promoting hair growth.
Aloe Vera gel is also very beneficial for your hair as it has anti-bacterial properties, it helps to treat dandruff by balancing an oily scalp and helps to soothe and deeply moisturize an itchy scalp.
