Taken directly from the aloe vera plant the mineral is 96 percent water with the remaining four percent made up of minerals, essential oils, enzymes, and amino acids, among other things. Apply aloe directly to your skin to achieve the following results:

Disinfecting cuts and scrapes Relieving pain from abrasions Alleviating the sting from any kind of burn, including a sunburn Softening and hydrating the skin Hair conditioning Accelerating cell growth Treating fungal conditions

To keep your skin hydrated longer during the day, apply a layer of aloe before you moisturize. In fact, aloe is so hydrating that psoriasis suffers apply aloe to remedy scaly, dry skin. Although it can sting even the most sensitive skin, some sufferers of eczema find aloe vera gentle enough to use on their skin as well.

Aloe in its purest form is the most beneficial. Aloe plants and bottled aloe vera are available at reasonable prices, though many skin products like cosmetics and moisturizers will contain small amounts of aloe even though it has not been proven that small, un-pure amounts are as beneficial.

It's not just your skin that aloe vera is good for. One in 100 people suffer from mouth ulcers and a recent study proved that aloe healed them. Aloe vera, additionally, can be consumed in the form of juice to treat colds, nerves, hypertension, and especially digestive problems like gas, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers. Consuming aloe for more than two weeks at a time will deplete potassium levels.