Too Sunkissed: Aloe Vera

You see aloe vera everywhere nowadays. So much so that the Chinese have caught its influence on their radar and said

• "I know! Since it's so healthy, why don't we sell it at a lower price by skimping on the ingredients so we get more profit."
• "Since everyone's into health fads, let's combine it with lots of sugar and chemicals so everyone will get addicted and think they're being healthy!"

and thus, the modern use of aloe vera is born. The aloe vera products sold will vary by what and how many chemical processes is done to it, how much percentage of it is present as an ingredient, and whether it is mixed in with other chemical fillers.

Sebastian Stoskopff's Still Life with Aloe Vera, a Basket of Apples, and Leeks (date unknown)

This ain't your grandparents' aloe vera anymore!

Applying a good aloe vera cream topically for hydration and following the manufacutrer's labels should do the trick. It contains, similar to the cranberry (see previous UTI post), an abundance of polyphenols and vitamins that heal the damage of the skin.

John Gerard's Aloe Vera (1597)

Always remember to follow the instructions on the manufacturer's labels and contact them if you have any questions. See my Facebook page for information on different product recommendations.