From Queen Cleopatra – Now to You: Aloe Vera’s Beauty Secrets
It’s a plant that has been called the “plant of immortality” for centuries. History suggests that it was used by ancient Egyptian queens like Cleopatra and Nerfertiti as part of their daily skin care routine. Greeks like Alexander the Great used it to treat their wounded soldiers and the Chinese use it in their medicine to treat irritation and diseases of the skin.
This plant isn’t just history’s favorite beauty hack or medicinal balm. Modern science confirms what these ancients believed. This plant, which contains a clear gel, is packed with over 75 active compounds that work wonders for your skin, scalp, and hair.
Best of all, if you live in a tropical region like Trinidad and Tobago, it’s likely that you can find it in your own yard or at least in the yard of someone you know and get it for FREE.
Today, we’re talking about our beloved Aloe Vera, or as it’s commonly known in Trinidad and Tobago – ‘Aloes’. This plant deserves a front-row seat in your self-care routine and that’s why we use it’s extract in our own Honey and Irish Moss Deep Conditioner. Here’s how you can also use it at home for your own hair and skin care needs.
For the Skin: Healing, Hydration & Calm
In a study published in the Complementary Medicine Journal, 2013 (Arak University of Medical Sciences), Aloe Vera was found to be extremely beneficial in treating first and second degree burns in patients. These patient’s burns healed significantly faster than other patients who used standard treatments.
The reason for this is that Aloe Vera helps wounds to close faster by stimulating collagen production and supporting new skin cell growth. It also contains Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory properties that help to fight against bacteria and reduce the risk of infection in cuts, bruises, sun burn or even acne.
Aloe Vera isn’t only for damaged skin though. Its sugars form a light film that locks in hydration, keeping you skin plump and smooth. No wonder it is said that the Egyptian queens used it daily!
At-Home Uses For The Skin:
- Apply fresh gel directly to burns, cuts, or dry patches to help with healing.
- Whip up a quick DIY mask with yogurt, honey or even cucumber, to give your skin a lovely natural treatment that hydrates and cleanses (more on this in another post).
- Freeze the gel into ice cubes and apply to your skin for a soothing treatment on hot days or after hair removal.
For the Scalp: Soothe, Clean & Refresh
One of the most compelling and scientifically supported benefits of Aloe Vera for the scalp is its effectiveness in treating dandruff and similar conditions. Conditions like dandruff are caused by an overgrowth of fungi and bacteria, which leads to the itching and flaking that is experienced by those affected. Aloe Vera’s antifungal and antibacterial properties fight these microbes and prevent them from forming, which reduces or even eliminates the itching and flaking.
It also contains natural saponins, which creates a lathering effect, and allows Aloe Vera to act as a mild shampoo. It’s similar to the ‘Ratchet’ plant (Prickly Pear Cactus) that many Rastas use to wash their locs. It helps to remove excess build up on the scalp, without stripping your scalp’s natural oils and throwing off its natural pH.
For those who shave their heads and experience razor burns, Aloe Vera also does an excellent job at soothing the irritated scalp and reducing inflammation caused by the razor burns.
All in all, this plant provides a nourishing environment for hair growth and scalp health by boosting circulation, reducing inflammation and delivering vitamins A, C, and E to the scalp — all key for strong, healthy follicles.
At-Home Uses For The Scalp:
- For dandruff or irritation, use 2–3 times weekly. For general care, once a week is enough.
- Scalp Mask: Massage pure gel into your scalp, leave 30–60 minutes, then rinse, to sooth the scalp and reduce inflammation.
- To give your scalp a gentle clean, apply the gel to your scalp when taking a shower, massage the scalp for a couple of minutes and rinse the gel out.
For Hair: Condition, Strengthen & Shine
Aloe Vera also contains humectants, which means, when it is put in the hair, it draws moisture into the hair. As we are well aware, keeping your hair moisturized is key in combating dryness, frizz and breakage.
The amino acids and vitamins (A,C and E) found in Aloe Vera are essential in the growth of shiny, healthy hair. These vitamins also promote a healthy cell turn over by softening the hardened skin cells on the scalp. This allows the scalp to be exfoliated easier, making the path clear for new, healthy growth to occur.
At-Home Uses For The Hair
- Pre-Shampoo Treatment: Coat hair with gel from root to tip, leave 30 minutes, rinse.
- Deep Mask: Blend Aloe with coconut oil and avocado oil (add honey for extra hydration). Leave for 30 minutes to 2 hours before washing.
- Leave-In: Apply a small amount of gel to damp hair as a lightweight conditioner. (too much may result in flakes developing when the hair is dry).
A Note on Safety!
Not all parts of the Aloe leaf are safe though. The yellow latex found just beneath the skin of the leaf, can cause irritation and should never be ingested. Always use the clear gel, and do a patch test if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to the plant in any way.
Let's Wrap Up
From soothing a sunburn to calming an itchy scalp to giving your hair a glossy boost, Aloe Vera is one of nature’s most versatile beauty allies. It’s easy to use, affordable, and works beautifully alongside your regular routine.
So the next time you see those spiky green leaves, think of them as more than just plants. Think of them as your personal skin healer, scalp soother, and hair strengthener.