4 Step Aloe Vera Aftershave Process

Posted on March 01, 2021

You may have heard of the wonders of aloe vera for treating sun-burns and soothing skin conditions...But have you tried applying it as an aftershave?

As a matter of fact, aloe vera is the perfect aftershave gel. Combining moisture, nourishment and beyond to keep your skin feeling supple and fresh after shaving. Here’s a 4 step aloe vera aftershave process to get you started.

What is aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a water-retaining plant native to areas with hot climates. The plant contains a thick, nourishing gel that contains an array of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty-acids and enzymes. Aloe vera contains ingredients to soothe and cool inflammation, promote healing, lock in hydration and reduce redness.

Aloe vera can be used for an array of applications, which can all be incorporated into your skin and hair routine. If you are looking to simplify and cut back your products, aloe vera is the companion you need - working as an all-in-one magic gel providing a variety of benefits.

Aloe vera gel is easily extracted by cutting through the leaf, but you can also purchase aloe vera gel products that are pure and fresh.

Why is aloe vera the perfect aftershave?

Frequent shaving causes stress to the skin, damaging the epidermal layer and leaving it exposed to external agents and pathogens that can lead to infections. Therefore, it is absolutely integral to make sure you are keeping your skin barrier hydrated and sealed to keep your first line of defence strong.

In order to help the skin heal and regenerate, you need to make sure you use the correct shaving regimen with the right products for your skin.

This is where aloe vera comes in. Aloe vera can help soothe irritation experienced after shaving and help any scars and wounds quickly heal and close up. Additionally, because aloe vera is rich in phytosterols, it can help reduce redness and razor bumps caused by shaving.

Aloe vera also contains polysaccharides to promote the growth of skin cells to replace those damaged in the shaving process. In addition to its antimicrobial and anti-bacterial benefits to rid the skin of any potential harmful pathogens that can penetrate the outer layer.

Therefore, it is clear that aloe vera has a multitude of benefits - particularly when used as an aftershave.

Not sure how to add aloe vera gel to your shaving routine? Here are a few steps:

Steps to aftershave with aloe vera:

1. Shower/use warm water: Expose the skin to warm water to open up the pores and get the skin ready for shaving.
2. Pre-prep with aloe vera gel: Mix aloe vera gel with 2 tablespoons of liquid coconut oil, and apply to the skin. This can help with the shaving process and assist the blade into gliding without nicking the skin.
3. Run the blade: Shave the area with the grain of your hair and wash with water as normal.
4. Aftershave TLC: Dry off and use aloe vera gel as a moisturiser immediately. Apply liberally and as often as you like. You can mix and match your aloe vera with other carrier oils, like sweet almond oil, coconut oil or olive oils for extra nourishment.

Choosing the right aloe vera

While making your own aloe vera gel is the freshest possible solution, it isn’t the most convenient option.

There are a wide variety of aloe vera products on the market today - but only some are as natural as making it yourself.

Always opt for an aloe vera gel that is free from artificial preservatives, additional ingredients and unnecessary additives that can dilute the effectiveness of the gel. Xanthan and carbomer are harmful to the skin - which are often found in cheap aloe vera products. Introducing harmful chemicals to your skin is almost counterproductive, so use a pure aloe vera gel for optimal results.

Always store your aloe vera gel in the fridge to keep it fresher for longer - and it’ll feel more soothing on the skin too.

Conclusion:

Aloe vera can be an excellent after and pre shave product to keep your skin feeling soothed and nourished all day long. If you cannot make your own aloe vera gel, make sure you choose a product that is as pure as possible to avoid exposing your skin to harmful and toxic chemicals.

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