# Magic & organic : the super powers of aloe vera..

So just what is Aloe Vera ?

In theory, everybody has more or less heard about aloe vera and knows pretty much what it is, but to those who do not, here is a little catch up… Aloe is a plant (sometimes even a tree !) with fleshy leaves which store big quantities of water in its tissues to survive in hot and dry climates.. And that’s what makes it such a great plant ! Native of South Africa, we find it almost anywhere where it is warm and dry ; in Mexico, in the Antilles, in the Bahamas, in the Caribbean, in the Mediterranean regions, and even in Asia.. Aloe’s pulp or gel has been used for centuries and in many civilisations for both its medical and cosmetic virtues.. Cleopatre herself was a huge fan 😉

A must have for all back backpackers and travellers (but not only them)…

During our last journey in South America, I had taken with me my aloe vera stock of products, ideal for skin damaged, weakened or dried by pollution, wind, sun or cold… This plant has so many properties that it can be used daily as a complete skin care routine (face and bodies, men, women, and children).. It allows us also to considerably reduce the number of products that we use on our skin (and thus reduce also the weight of our suitcase or backpack).

A plant of a million virtues..

Besides being the best natural anti-ageing product which soothes, repairs, tightens, hydrates and protects all skin types, it is also perfect in case of freeze burns, sunburns or ordinary burns (light and more severe), or bruises.. It is an antiseptic and a natural healing product that can be applied to treat wounds, irritations, blisters cold sores, shaving rash, insect bites, yeast infections, acne, and eczema… We can even use the Aloe Vera gel as hair gel or as makeup remover. This is merely a list of external properties that I use it for, it has of course, many others.

>>You can also drink aloe in the form of juice to treat internal troubles, but we will be talking about that part very soon in a next post.

So, how do we use it ?

– Ideally it is best to grow your own organic plant, which we cultivate with love at home (Jus t keep in mind that an aloe takes 5 years to reach maturity and thus be useful..) We only use the mature leaves , that we cut delicately into two to collect the pulp and apply it on the skin. We can also use the leaf itself as a cataplasm, a plaster to be directly applied to the zone that needs treating : in case of burns for example, blisters or wounds, I fix the leaf in place with medical tape or a blaster and bandage which I leave on for several hours, before changing the whole thing)

– Apart from that we can easily find aloe vera gel (and products made from it) in organic or on-line stores.. Chose carefully though ; products have to come from organic farming only and be at least 98% pure (for the gel)).. I have my personal favourites, and I like the brand Pur’Aloe, a brand just as we like them, organic, fair and respectful of nature and the environment.. The harvest and the extraction of the pulp of aloe is manually made to protect and preserve the richness of the plant.. We can find Pur Aloe cares and products in organic stores or on the online shop of the brand which also sells fresh leaves and even plants to be cultivated..

My selection of Pur’Aloe products :

>>Aloe gel : If you are going to choose any, then this should be this one. This gel is a non greasy, universal, odourless care, that suits all skintypes, men, women, children, body and face.. It is perfect for daily care because it penetrates immediately into the skin without leaving any trace. This one, I apply in the morning before make up and evening to the face and the body for a rehydrating, regenerating, anti-ageing and protective effect (among others).. In case of very dry skin, of cracks, sunburns, burns, insect bites, irritations, infections, shaving rash and cuts, acne or others, do not to hesitate to apply it several times during the day.. The small trick : put it in a cool place for better preservation and soothing and refreshing effect on sunburns or uncomfortable and unpleasant skin irritations and problems.

>>Aloe moisturizing milk : I love this moisturizer that is made with beeswax, sweet almond oil and aloe vera.. Here too there is no particular smell. It is a “richer” treatment than the gel, which repairs, nourishes and hydrates the skin.. It is perfect for weakened, super sensitive or dehydrated skin.. For example we used it a lot in Bolivia where our skin was completely dried out from the sun and wind, or when we suffered some serious sunburn in the salt desert.. the best way in this case is to to alternate between the gel (or aloe leaves cataplasm) and the moisturizer. This one does not penetrate as easily as the gel, so it is necessary to massage slowly so that the product penetrates well. I think that the milk (as with the gel actually, is perfect for toddler’s skin).

>>Pur aloe dew : One of my personal favourites from the range, this great moisturizering water spay consists of aloe vera juice and rose-water.. I apply it in the morning, when I first wake up, and in the evening on clean skin, and I let my skin “drink” it.. It really is a delight .. And I love the delicate smell of the rose water.

>>Aloe shower gel : This one is great because we really have the impression of washing ourself with some aloe vera gel… Without sulfate or added water, it does not dry out the skin, and is particularly pleasant after a day at the beach or to clean his/her face ..

And there you go for this Aloe vera special post. Do not hesitate to leave a comment to share your opinion or if you have any questions 😉

xxx