Exfoliation is vital to healthy and flawless skin. Regular exfoliation keeps the skin free from dirt and dead skin cells and prevents other issues like dark spots, acne, irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. Though you can opt for a store-bought product for exfoliating your skin, choosing natural ingredients like aloe vera is always better for its safety and health. According to the International Journal of Research and Medical Sciences, the explicit gel content of the succulent plant is a combination of 99% water and almost 75 potentially active ingredients that can improve the skin texture by eliminating dead cells from it. It becomes even more effective When used with other skin-friendly ingredients. So, here are seven most beneficial DIY aloe vera scrub recipes that you can try at home:
Benefits of Applying Aloe Vera Gel to Skin
Aloe vera is a wonder element for our skin, loaded with vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. Pure and fresh aloe vera gel has numerous beauty benefits, which make it a staple in many people’s skincare routines. Regular use of aloe vera can keep signs of aging at bay. The enzymes in the ingredient turn it into a solid natural exfoliator. It makes dry and damaged skin healthier by keeping it nourished and sufficiently moisturized. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera help soothe irritated, inflamed, and sunburnt skin. It also treats breakouts and surface acne effectively. (1)
Why Use Aloe Vera for Exfoliation?
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid, which helps gently slough dead cells off the skin. Conversely, being a substance with high water content, it hydrates the skin deeply without causing greasiness and locks moisture into it. Moreover, its lignin helps other skin-friendly ingredients penetrate deep into the skin after the application. Hence, exfoliating the skin with DIY aloe vera scrub is recommended by dermatologists for naturally healthy and glowing skin. (2)
How do you prepare Aloe Vera Gel at home?
Many beauty brands have introduced packaged aloe vera gel, but they cannot be considered 100% pure as they contain preservatives and other components. The best way to get pure and fresh aloe vera gel is to prepare it at home. Cut open a fresh aloe vera leaf carefully and scoop out the transparent gel-like substance. This can be applied directly to the skin or combined with other skin-friendly ingredients to treat various skin issues.
Aloe vera juice or drinks contain freshly extracted aloe vera gel, which nourishes and repairs the skin internally. Regular intake of it can prevent aging by supporting the structure of collagen in the skin.
7 DIY Aloe Vera Scrub Recipes for a Flawless Skin
1. Aloe Vera and Baking Soda Scrub
When cleansing or clarifying, no other natural ingredient works as well as baking soda. Combining it with aloe vera can make the effects of exfoliation even stronger. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of aloe vera gel thoroughly and prepare a smooth paste with no lump. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and that’s all! This soothing scrub is suitable for dry and oily skin and can be used on the whole body.
2. Aloe Vera and Aspirin Scrub
Uncoated or lightly coated aspirin tablets are pretty good to use with aloe vera for treating acne, breakouts, and blemishes. It not only reduces redness and bumpiness caused due to inflammation but also heals infections to some extent. Put 2-3 tablets in a bowl and add one tablespoon of distilled water to it so that the tablets absorb water and turn puffy. Mash the softened aspirins with a spoon to make a paste. Add some aloe gel to it and blend well. Your scrub is ready to use.
3. Aloe Vera, Lemon, and Sugar Scrub
You need this simple aloe vera scrub if you have super oily skin full of pimples, blackheads, spots, and shine. Add two tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a bowl, add two tablespoons of white sugar, and keep stirring until 80% of the sugar melts. Squeeze the juice of a small lemon into it and mix everything well with a spoon. This is perfect for use on the face as well as the body.
4. Aloe Vera, Lemon, and Sea Salt Scrub
This recipe is almost similar to the previous one. Like white sugar, sea salt also works as a natural exfoliating agent. Take three tablespoons of aloe gel in a bowl and squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon into it. Blend well to form a uniform mixture. Add two tablespoons of coarse sea salt to it and give a gentle mix. Make sure that the sea salt is not dissolved completely. Frequent use of this aloe scrub will make your skin smoother, softer, and more refreshed.
5. Aloe Vera, Olive Oil, and Brown Sugar Scrub
While adding lemon to an aloe scrub is suitable for oily skin, women with super dry skin should replace it with extra virgin olive oil (coconut oil/jojoba oil/sweet almond oil, etc. will also do). Take one tablespoon of aloe vera gel in a mixing bowl and mix one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Add (1/4) cup of brown sugar to this mixture and stir with a fork to create an almost smooth paste. This will exfoliate your skin deeply, nourish it, and keep it hydrated for a long time.
6. Aloe Vera, Honey, and Sea Salt Scrub
A combination of aloe vera and honey is fantastic for treating dry, dull skin that must be invigorated. Take two tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a mixing bowl, add (1/4) cup of sea salt, and mix with a spoon to prepare a paste of uneven consistency. Pour one tablespoon of raw organic honey into it and blend well. This scrub provides intensive moisturization while exfoliating the skin surface and promoting cell renewal.
7. Aloe Vera, Almond Oil, and Oatmeal Scrub
Oatmeal is one of the best natural exfoliators that can give us flawless skin with extraordinary radiance. In a mixing bowl, blend two tablespoons of oatmeal powder with two tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Once you get a smooth mixture, pour one teaspoon of sweet almond oil into it and mix nicely. This DIY scrub suits all skin types, including sensitive and inflamed ones.
Do not exfoliate your skin too much. This will turn your skin too dry or too oily. Exfoliating twice or thrice a week is enough to get rid of the dead cell layer from the surface of the skin.
Application Of DIY Aloe Vera Scrub
While applying the homemade DIY aloe vera scrub, keep the following points in mind:
- Dampen your skin with lukewarm water first so that it becomes easier for the scrub mixture to penetrate the clogged pores and dead cell layers effectively.
- Massage your face with the scrub mixture in an upward direction by following a small circular motion.
- Be as gentle as possible during scrubbing and focus on the oiliest areas, including the nose, chin, etc.
- Let the mixture sit on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes after massage.
- Splash cold water on the face to wash the scrub out.
- Moisturize your skin with a good, irritant-free moisturizer once you are done.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Aloe Scrub Good for Sensitive Skin?
Aloe is a natural ingredient that effectively works on the skin without clogging pores with oils. It also exfoliates the skin without causing irritation or dryness, making it particularly beneficial for sensitive skin.
Can I Use Aloe Vera Scrub for Body?
Aloe vera is a versatile ingredient that is suitable for application on any part of the body. So you can use it to exfoliate your entire skin naturally.
Can It Help Get Rid of My Wrinkles?
Nothing can reverse your skin from the impact of aging. Not even aloe vera. However, it reduces the appearance of signs of aging by preventing wrinkles and fine lines from getting deeper.
Is Aloe Vera Good for Hair?
The nourishing and hydrating properties of aloe vera are excellent for our hair, too. Rubbing it into the scalp can keep issues like dryness, itchiness, dandruff, etc. at bay. Massaging aloe vera into hair can also make it healthy and manageable.
References:
- “Using Aloe Vera has Multiple Benefits,” BCM.edu
- “8 Reasons Dermatologists Want You to Rub Aloe Vera Gel on Your Face“, Prevention.com
