Confirmed: The Uses For Aloe Vera Are Basically Endless — Here Are 5 Of Our Favorite Ways To Use It

Of all the tried-and-true botanicals out there, aloe vera is the reigning champ of multitasking beauty ingredients. The juice from the succulent is hailed as a hair hydrator, inflammation soother, skin brightener, and more. Not only is it a very popular DIY ingredient, but it can be found in a lot of product formulas. 

One of the many compounds aloe contains is something called aloesin. Aloesin has brightening capabilities that make it excellent at targeting dark spots, which often show up on your face, chest, and hands.

In one study, when aloe was applied to skin four times per day for two weeks, aloesin was shown to effectively fade post-acne hyperpigmentation2. Another report showed that topical application of aloesin can directly inhibit hyperpigmented skin from producing more melanin—hyperpigmentation simply means excess melanin production in your skin, so keeping the pigment-producing cells from becoming overactive is key. 

Aloe vera can help both the scalp and hair fiber, which is why it's often used in leave-in conditioners, masks, scalp treatments, and styling products. 

This may sound obvious, but in case you don't know: You need water to moisturize the skin. Aloe, as we've noted, contains water inherently.

"The leaf of the aloe vera plant is rich in water, particularly in the innermost layer, so it helps to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture," board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., once told us about the ingredient. 

But its hydrating properties are actually twofold. "The sugars [it contains], also known as mucopolysaccharides, [also] help to retain moisture in the skin," she continues. 

There are a lot of natural healthy aging ingredients out there—and I'd like to make an argument that aloe is a worthy addition to any formula that targets signs of premature aging. Not only is it great at targeting dark spots as noted above, but it can help even out texture and fine lines.

Part of its plumping qualities comes from the fact that it's an excellent hydrator (see point above). But it also eases the appearance of fine lines thanks to its impressive antioxidant abilities. 

Last, but certainly not least, aloe vera can help calm inflamed skin. It's best known for its ability to soothe sunburns, but it's honestly just a great ingredient for calming any skin irritation.