5 Ways to Use Aloe for Beautiful Skin

Aloe vera is a skin care super plant! There are so many ways to use aloe for the skin. Treat sunburns, moisturize, fight acne, and improve suppleness. According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, this desert plant is loaded with beneficial constituents including softening fatty acids, nourishing amino acids, and cell protecting antioxidants. Here are five ways to use powerful aloe vera for your skin care routine.

1. Anti aging night serum Aloe encourages collagen and elastin production. These two skin proteins are the foundation of smooth, supple skin. Add three drops of carrot seed essential oil to one or two teaspoons of pure aloe vera (not a gooey gel, just the pure liquid). Massage into your skin after cleansing with warm water and your facial cleanser and before moisturizing with your night cream. 
2. Sun solution Studies have shown that this natural skin aid protects against radiation damage. You should still wear sunscreen to protect against UV rays, but rubbing some pure aloe into your skin underneath your sunscreen is a great way to dose your skin with some protective compounds. I also put some on after being out in the sun on those sunny beach and pool days. I think of it as a little extra healthy skin insurance.    
3. Hydrating face mask For a quick hydrating mask to battle dryness, stir together raw honey and aloe. Smear over clean skin, rinse, and love that smoothness!
4. Calming facial toner mist Mix equal parts of aloe juice with rose water in a small spray bottle. Shake and mist over skin after cleansing and before moisturizing. If you have any facial redness like I do, then try spritzing over your skin a few times during the day.
5. Antiseptic acne mask Use aloe for the skin to help fight breakouts. With six different antiseptic compounds, this plant is great for controlling bacteria on the skin. Mix the pure liquid with bentonite clay powder for a super cleansing, detoxing skin treatment.

A Fruit Enzyme Anti Aging Face Mask That Works — Warning, It Is Not Homemade!

Making my own natural face masks is a passion of mine. I love the control, the versatility, the independence, the potency, and of course, the money saving. That doesn't mean that I don't appreciate a great store bought treatment from time to time, especially if they have a lot of beauty bang for their buck. The Andalou Naturals BioActive 8 Berry Fruit Enzyme Mask is one of my favorites when it comes to anti aging skin care products. It's loaded with antioxidants and nutrients for cell repair and renewal, and it smells like sweet fruit, totally makes me want to have a berry pie baking in the oven. I also love how long it lasts. I have used it about 10 times now and have barely made a dent in my pretty little emerald jar, which of course, I will be reusing.

So what's the magic Andalou Naturals formula? No idea, but from looking at the ingredient list there is a nice blend of alpha hydroxy acids with cranberry, apple, lemon, and sugar. Natural exfoliants are great for keeping pores clean and for diminishing the appearance of fine lines. Then there are those anti aging antioxidants from white tea, resveratrol, and vitamin E, and of course some bacteria fighting manuka honey (even an anti aging face mask should fight acne!).

To use, cleanse as you would before any homemade treatment. Rinse with warm water to help open your pores. Make sure your skin is dry before applying. All you need is a little bit for a thin layer over your face and neck. Leave on for about 10 minutes, rinse and moisturize. My skin does tingle and even sting for about 30 seconds at first. If your skin is very sensitive, you may want to skip this mask, but for all other skin types, this is a great anti-aging, affordable option. With all the oil dissolving fruit acids and enzymes, I give it a big thumbs up for treating mild acne as well.