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The herb heals the skin. It is able to penetrate the skin’s layers to reduce pain and inflammation. It is also a natural moisturiser, says
Dhanvanti Keshavrao
The age-old herb has been re-discovered and repackaged, as the big solution to almost every beauty problem. The sudden popularity of this nature’s healer came about five years ago because of modern processing techniques. The natural gel of the plant oxidises very fast when in touch with air, and cannot be refrigerated for more than three days. But this new processed gel is stable enough to be used in beauty products. Herbal beauty expert Shahnaz Husain explains: "The stablilised gel can be used in cosmetic preparations for various skin conditions. In this form it is more easily absorbed by the skin and also combines well with other extracts." There are around 300 species of aloe vera, out of which 11 are poisonous, and only four of value to the fashion industry. According to Dr Madhavan Nair, consultant to New Era Skin Clinic of Mumbai, aloe vera owes its eminent position in the fashion industry to six qualities. Aloe vera heals the skin. Probably the most widely known benefit is the healing effect that aloe has on the skin, including sunburn. It contains a combination of salicylic acid and magnesium that has a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. It is also able to penetrate the skin’s layers to reduce pain, inflammation and increase blood flow to the affected area.`A0 With its ability to penetrate the layers of the skin easily and be absorbed quickly, aloe vera has been widely used to heal and soothen the skin. `A0 Aloe vera is a natural moisturiser for the skin. With its ability to penetrate the layers of the skin easily and be absorbed quickly, aloe helps to balance the skin’s own natural pH level, which is needed for a smooth, healthy- looking skin.`A0 Aloe provides natural skin conditioning, as it contains valuable vitamins and nutrients that are able to be carried to and reach the deep innermost layers of the skin, thereby healing and conditioning the skin from the inside out.`A0 Aloe vera fights ageing. It contains natural anti-oxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, which are widely known and used throughout the cosmetics industry to help reduce the adverse signs of ageing in the skin, and also to help improve and tighten the skin’s overall elasticity. The thumb rule before you purchase a product is to take a closer look at the ingredients. Unlike imported products that tell you the percentage of each ingredient, most Indian labels do not disclose the amount of each constituent. If the percentage of components is listed, choose the product that has a higher amount of aloe vera (as high as 70 per cent). Products that have just 2 or 3 per cent aloe vera are not of much help. In a large bowl combine eight cups of sea salt and two cups of a combination of any of the oils — sunflower, walnut, avocado, jojoba or rose. Stir with a wooden spoon. Add aloe vera gel and mix. Add one or two drops of essential oils of your choice, and stir again. You could even add dried flowers like roses, calendula, jasmine or lavender. Spoon the mixture into a big jar. Use as a body scrub for a smooth and supple skin. For a super brightening facial, dissolve two or three aspirin tablets in a teaspoon of whole cream milk. To this add a pinch of sugar, one drop each of aloe vera extract, or oil and honey. Mix it altogether in a small dish or the palm of your hand. Apply a thin layer of this mask to your entire face and neck, avoiding the eye contour area. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes. Then moisten fingertips and gently massage the mask into the skin, rewetting your fingers often. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry. Follow up with a toner, then any moisturisers, as desired. — MF
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Aloe
Vera herb (known as ghritakumari in Sanskrit and ghikanvar
in Hindi) seems to be everywhere in the fashion world — in
moisturising lotions, sunscreens, shampoos and even soaps. To quote a
few brands: Shacleanse (aloe vera skin treatment); Biotique (aloe vera
protective cream); Doy Care (aloe vera soap); Herb Line (aloe vera
shampoo); Albeau (aloe vera hair conditioner).