Did you know that aloe vera is good for so much more than treating sunburns.
Consider using aloe vera gel as a light moisturizer to wear during the dry winter months. This naturally derived product is harvested from the stalks of aloe vera plants, which ooze a thick clear sap when cut open. This liquid is mostly water (99.5 percent), but the remaining 0.5 percent is a combination of mucopolysaccharides, choline and choline salicylate.
These substances benefit skin in several ways: Mucopolysaccharides create a thin, protective film over the skin that shields nerve endings. Choline salicylate is an anti-inflammatory that soothes skin. Most commonly these are used to treat sunburns, but experts say they’re effective at reducing wrinkles and premature aging, providing moisture to dry or irritated skin, and treating skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, or excessive oiliness.
Some aloe vera gels have far more added ingredients than actual aloe vera, many of which could be irritating chemicals, so you’ll want to check the ingredient list carefully. Avoid fragrances, paraben-based preservatives, and alcohol, which can exacerbate dryness. Look for products that rate highly on the EWG’s Skin Deep database, such as Aromatics 95% Organic Aloe Vera Gel or Badger Unscented Aloe Vera Gel (that’s the one I use).
Source: Treehugger.com
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