Plants such as aloe vera are used in alternative medicine. Indian medicine has used Aloe vera for treating a large number of ailments for centuries thanks to its 420 different plant species. It has gained immense popularity for centuries due to its use in beauty, health, and skincare the use of the aloe vera face mask is very beneficial for the skin.
As its name implies, vera is a “shining bitter substance,” while ephedra comes from the Latin word “ephedra”, which means truth. The ancient plant has been used by many cultures over the centuries, including Egypt, Greece, Mexico, India, China, and Japan. This plant belongs to the Liliaceae family, which is native to dry regions in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. The original natural sunburn soother, aloe vera, offers many skin-health benefits, such as being a makeup remover, moisturizer, foundation primer, and even a scalp treatment for itchy scalps. Aloe vera is a helpful face mask for all skin conditions, such as irritated skin, discolored skin, and sun-damaged skin while also being gentle enough to prevent dryness. All that remains to be asked is, can this plant do anything else?

Masks made from aloe vera.

The first thing you need to do is find an aloe plant. It would be fantastic if you could harvest your aloe vera face mask to make your magic gel. Suppose you don’t have an aloe plant at home. In that case, you should try to find fresh aloe vera products: “Fresh aloe vera has the most medicinal properties, but many commercial products contain other ingredients like preservatives,” says dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D., a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology.
It is also recommended that you conduct a patch test before applying the mix to your face.
Marisa Plescia, a research scientist at clean-beauty e-tailer NakedPoppy, says that aloe vera can cause contact dermatitis in some people, so make sure you’re not experiencing any irritation before you put on a full-on mask. The mask will require some aloe and possibly other materials (more on that later). After that, you just need to follow these steps:

  1. Blend the aloe and other ingredients until you get a spreadable consistency (be careful not to make it too runny).
  2. You applied the aloe vera face mask, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. It will usually take up to ten minutes for the mask to absorb the moisture from your face.
  3. Don’t let it sit for more than 20 minutes since it can lose its moisturizing properties and possibly cause irritation when left too long.
  4. Pat dry your face after thoroughly rinsing it.
  5. Make sure that all the moisture is kept in with an occlusive cream or oil.

The Plescia website recommends a 1:1 ratio between aloe and add-ons for measurement purposes. The mask shape can be changed based on the mask’s overall aesthetics, as well as its spreadability. It’s pretty easy to play with the ratios and quantity of an all-natural aloe mask; if it feels tacky or sticky on your fingers, you can always add more aloe to thin it out and keep it like jelly.

These 5 aloe face masks will give your skin a glow.

It’s hard to imagine a skincare product without aloe, but there are a few additions to note that address specific skin concerns. These five recipes can help you with just about any skin condition, from simple dryness to irritation to oxidative stress.

1.    Honey and aloe vera face mask, for soothing skin:

Honey helps soothe the skin and makes aloe vera face masks even more effective, says Plescia. It’s well known that honey (particularly Manuka honey) has antibacterial properties, and combining honey with aloe vera can help to reduce redness, reduce scarring, and moisturize the skin. You may want to keep the honey-to-aloe ratio low (1:2 honey-to-aloe might be the optimal ratio, according to Plescia) otherwise the mixture will seem sticky.
A suitable alternative to honey for soothing inflammation is colloidal oatmeal, which can suppress pro-inflammatory chemicals, called cytokines, as well as histamine, according to board-certified dermatologist Cybele Fishman, M.D.

2.    Use aloe vera and apple cider vinegar for gentle exfoliation:

Aloe already has a natural exfoliating effect (it contains beta-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid, which, according to Plescia, help to gently exfoliate the skin). Natural exfoliants such as ACV can also soothe skin, so you could combine them with a soothing agent like aloe. Aloe vera face mask paired with apple cider vinegar is a helpful way to lessen potential skin irritation, says Plescia.
If you don’t have ACV on hand, consider adding a physical exfoliator, like some sugar or coffee grounds. These granules can remove debris gently, and pair well with soothing aloe adds Ron Robinson, founder and chief cosmetic chemist of BeautyStat.

3.    A skin-brightening mask that contains aloe and turmeric: 

You’ll want this brightening turmeric mask at your disposal if you want to target skin discolorations. There are many benefits of turmeric, including the fact that it reduces hyperpigmentation and neutralizes free radicals. With aloe as its dark spot remedy, turmeric adds even more skin-brightening power to this mask. Rather not use turmeric? Vitamin C-rich citrus fruits skin-lightening: “Lemons and oranges may help to even skin color,” says Robinson.

4.    For moisturizing, try an aloe and coconut oil mask:

You should add coconut oil (or olive oil, if that’s what you have) to your skincare regime if you have dry, flaking skin. Eczema sufferers may find coconut oil to be a helpful natural moisturizer for their skin. When combined with aloe, this mask is a hydrating powerhouse. “Nevertheless, be cautious if you have breakouts,” says board-certified dermatologist Jaimie Glick, M.D.

5.    Using aloe vera and yogurt as a mask will help even out your skin tone:

What about probiotics? Research on the skin microbiome has barely scratched the surface but looks promising for reducing acne and evening skin tone. If you wish to hydrate your skin further, Robinson suggests combining aloe with this common kitchen ingredient.

Here’s what you take away. 

If you’re interested in making an aloe vera face mask, all the ingredients you need are probably in your kitchen. Make sure you consult your dermatologist or esthetician before using any topical aloe, as some people may experience allergic reactions. Before applying it to your face, you should always, always perform a patch test; if you notice any signs of irritation, wash the product off immediately. Besides that, you’re in business: Simply apply the gel and let it do its magic.