Aloe vera mask is made using the clear gel from the aloe vera plant.
This succulent perennial plant can be grown outdoors and indoors in the right temperature and soil conditions.
A few words about aloe vera before we start with aloe vera mask. You can just skip this section if you already know about the plant.
Aloe vera which grows to heights of about 4 feet is found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Caribbean, Latin America, and South Africa.
The leaves – especially gel and latex – have been used for medicinal purposes for several centuries.
The thick, clear gel found inside each leaf is used to treat minor burns and cuts.
It is made up of 99% water and 1% contains glycoproteins, polysaccharides, amino acids, tannins, enzymes, sterols, and lipids.
Aloe vera is available for external and internal use as ointments, creams, tablets, juice or capsules and masks.
Benefits of Aloe Vera Masks
My mom is a big fan of herbal remedies. Aloe vera is one of her favorite plants. We have 6 aloe vera plants in our garden (numbers keep increasing every 6 months!).
Based on requirements she makes aloe gel, masks and other things from the aloe vera plant. It is not very hard but yes does require some effort.
Having an aloe vera plant at home gives you a readymade home remedy for various skin conditions.
Pure aloe vera can be combined with many other ingredients to make a simple face and hair masks that can provide many benefits to the skin and scalp.
Aging and Wrinkled Skin: Aloe vera gel is a soothing natural moisturizer that can protect and nourish an aging skin that has been exposed to years of environmental pollution.
It can improve collage levels that prevent wrinkles and sagging skin by improving skin elasticity.
Having antioxidant properties, using an aloe vera mask can prevent the formation of fine lines and protect skin cells from damage due to free radicals.
Softens Dry Skin: Being a moisturizer, aloe vera can hydrate dry skin especially during winter months.
A simple combination of aloe vera gel and honey can be put on the face for 15 minutes and then washed off with warm water.
Acne: Anyone with acne-prone skin can try using aloe vera gel on the inflammation.
This has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are better and safer on the skin than conventional cortisone ointments.
Prevents and heals sunburn: Sunburn can be both painful and cause puffiness and inflammation.
Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Herbal remedies that use aloe vera gel can form a protective layer on the skin, provide a cooling effect, seal in moisture and help promote healing and prevent dehydration.
This s a big issue in tropical countries such as India and thus aloe vera mask proves to be very useful here.
Homemade Aloe Vera Masks
As you can see aloe vera masks can benefit all skin types. You can buy aloe vera mask from stores too but making your own mask has its own advantages.
The real beauty of homemade aloe masks is that they can be combined with various ingredients to provide relief for the skin and help prevent or treat various skin conditions like acne, sunburn, aging and wrinkling of the skin, dry skin, etc.
Here are some recipes for homemade aloe vera masks that you can try using ingredients which are easily available.
Those who do not have aloe vera plants growing at home can purchase pure aloe vera at health stores or online and use it to make the mask.
Anyone who does not have the time to make a face mask can simply pluck a few aloe vera leaves, squeeze out the gel and refrigerate it for a few minutes until it becomes cool.
Now, wash your face of all dirt and apply the cool aloe vera gel to your face. Leave it for 15 minutes before washing it. This will soothe your skin and repair skin tissues as well as provide relief from sunburn.
For Sensitive Skin
Soothing aloe vera facial mask for sensitive skin:
- Pure aloe vera gel – 4tbsp
- Plain yoghurt – 2tbsp
- Fresh cucumber juice – 6tbsp
Mix all these ingredients together, apply to your face and neck and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Do not scrub the face. Rinse first with lukewarm and then cold water and pat dry with a clean towel.
While aloe vera soothes and moisturizes, cucumber and yoghurt are excellent for cleansing the skin. This can be used more than once a week and does not cause any side effects. You can even add rose oil for additional benefits for sensitive skin.
Oily and acne prone skin
Aloe vera mask for Acne-prone and oily skin
- Lemon juice – 1sp
- Aloe vera juice – 1 tbsp
- Lavender, lemon grass, calendula herbs – 1sp each
- Honey – 1 sp
Take ½ cup of boiled water and place all the herbs in it for an hour. Add honey, aloe vera, and lemon juice.
Apply the mask to your face for 20 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Repeat at least twice a week. A combination of aloe vera and honey is also helpful in treating acne-prone oily skin.
Another good combination for acne is a face mask that uses ½ tbsp aloe vera gel mixed with ½ tbsp raw honey and 1 tbsp kelp powder (seaweed).
Mix all the ingredients in a container and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash and dry your face before applying the aloe vera mask. Avoid the eyes. Leave this for at least 15 minutes before washing with lukewarm water.
Aloe for Dry skin
Aloe vera mask for dry skin
- Egg yolk – 1 egg
- Aloe vera juice – 1tbsp
- Organic yoghurt – 1tbsp
- Sunflower oil – 1sp
Mix the ingredients, apply on the face, leave for 15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Apart from the benefits you get from aloe vera, sunflower oil contains vitamin E that prevents premature aging and dryness of the skin, yogurt has anti-aging amino acids and egg yolk is a natural moisturizer.
Another aloe vera mask can be used by blending together 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, cottage cheese, a few cucumber slices and seedless dates along with some lemon juice.
This paste can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks and used a little at a time. Apply on the face, leave for 30 minutes, wash with cold, lukewarm and then cold water again.
Aloe vera face pack to remove tan: This is an effective pack to remove sun tan. Take some lemon juice and aloe vera gel make a paste and apply to tanned areas. Leave this for about 10 minutes before washing it.
Aloe to make your skin glow
Aloe vera mask for glowing skin
- Turmeric – 1pinch
- Honey – 1tsp
- Milk – 1 tsp
- Aloe vera gel
- Rose water – few drops
Make a paste using all the ingredients, apply the mask to your face for 20 minutes and wash with cold or lukewarm water.
Aloe vera mask for scars
Acne can leave scars and you can also develop pigmentation marks, age spots, injury marks, which can all mar the skin.
For this, you can make a paste using rose water and aloe vera gel, apply the mask to your face, massaging for 2-3 minutes, leave for 20 minutes and wash with cold water.
This serves to remove tan and is a fairness pack.
More Aloe Vera Face Masks
Try the following combinations for different skin conditions
- For dead skin, make a paste using aloe vera gel, cucumber, and oatmeal. Massage this paste, leave for 10 minutes and wash.
- For dry and aging skin, crush a few almonds, add to aloe vera gel, make a paste, apply to the skin, leave for 15 minutes and wash.
- For combination skin, you can make a paste using aloe vera gel, shea butter, and olive oil. Apply to the face and neck and rinse with cold water after leaving it for 15 minutes.
Aloe Vera Mask for the Hair
Apart from the face, aloe vera masks can even provide nourishment for the scalp. For a natural moisturizing mask for the hair, mash one avocado and to this blend 1 tbsp aloe vera gel.
Apply this to the scalp, massaging it gently all over. Cover the scalp with a shower cap and leave this overnight. Wash your hair with a shampoo free of sulfate and mild moisturizing oil.
Aloe Vera Masks Online
Readymade aloe vera masks are also available online.
- ‘Cala Aloe vera extract facial mask sheet’ contains vitamin E. this soothing mask can moisturize the skin and prevent dryness.
- ‘Dyna Tabs Aloe Vera cloth face masks’ are easy to apply. This is a cleansing, soothing mask that has anti-wrinkle benefits. It can reduce signs of aging, UV damage and rejuvenates the skin. You will feel soothed and relaxed after using this face mask.
Precautions while using aloe vera masks
Most people will not experience any side effects with the above aloe vera masks unless they are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
This is important as you might not be sensitive to aloe but you may be with other things you have put into the mask.
If your skin turns red and your skin is itchy and inflamed, wash off the mask at once and do not use it again.
If you have used aloe vera masks please share your own 'formulation' and how well it worked with all of us here!