I think most of us can say that aloe vera was likely the first skincare product we ever used. I wish we could say sunscreen was, but most of us were more concerned about our tans than our skin's future when we were younger. Aloe has come a long way from that bottle of sticky gel we only used when that fun in the sun lasted a bit too long. Being one of the most popular herbal remedies for anything from sunburns to upset stomachs, I think it deserves its time in the sun (pun intended). Let's take a deeper look at what makes this desert-dwelling plant so special and why using it can improve your skin daily. It's been called the 'plant of immortality' and 'miracle healing plant' for a reason!
Living in Arizona, we see aloe plants EVERYWHERE. They are one of the most resilient plants in our hot and dry ecosystems, so there must be something special about it. If you haven't had the experience to know aloe vera as well as us desert dwellers I will fill you in a little.
The reason why you will find aloe in a gel form is that the natural state of the aloe vera we put on our skin is a gel! Some have even hand-squeezed the gel from the plants themselves. Talk about natural skin care! It has such impactful healing and moisturizing properties that it has become a known treatment for:
- Burns/ Sunburns (Natural Cooling Effects)
- Small Cuts/ Scrapes (Speeds Up Healing & Limits Scaring)
- Dry Skin (It's 98% Water!)
- Inflamed Acne/ Bug Bites (Anti-inflammatory Properties)
- Psoriasis/ Eczema/ Rosacea
- Cold Sores
- Fungal/ Bacterial Infections
- Boosting Collagen
- & Even Frostbite!
Outside of the topical use even drinking aloe vera has many benefits. It hydrates you from the inside out, is rich with antioxidants (which also improve skin), can help relieve constipation, and helps reduce stomach acid levels. I would recommend consuming high-quality processed aloe vera and not attempting to go hands-on with it, as well as doing your research. Not every part of our plant friend is beneficial for all people. There is a thin layer between the skin and the gel called the latex which is a very powerful laxative that can cause other issues if you're sensitive to it. So purchasing aloe vera (especially for ingesting) is best done through a trusted company!
Now back to the skin care talk! With so many environmental stressors as well as the other things we put our skin through, aloe vera is an ingredient that gives all a bit of everything. Hydrating, soothing, collagen boosting, reduces skin damage (thanks to Vitamin E), which makes it a no-brainer when it comes to including this ingredient in skin care. We at Mikel Kristi have even gone a step further and included Prickly Pear (Opuntia Ficus-Indica) in our products as well. It has all the benefits of aloe vera but throws in some boosted anti-aging properties like omega fatty acids and Vitamin K to help you with those dark circles!
Below is a list of all our Mikel Kristi products that show our love of Aloe Vera and Prickly Pear Cactus!
Aloe Vera
Purifying Botanical Wash
Refreshing Botanical Wash
Lavender Hibiscus Toner
Refreshing Swipes
Calendula Moisturizer
Bio Peptide Eye Cream
Revital Eyes (has both!)
Balancing Mask
Bamboo Body Polish
Restore Exfoliating Cream
Restore Exfoliating Lotions (all scents)
Invigorating Lotion
Invigorating Body Wash
Prickly Pear
Vital A Rejuvenating Serum
Bio Peptide Revitalizing Serum
Vital C Repair Serum
Revital Eyes (has both!)
Thank you so much for stopping by we are excited to take a deeper dive into more skin care ingredients with you!
Xo, Christy
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