11 Aloe Vera Gel Beauty Hacks

You might already know to reach for aloe vera gel to soothe sunburns, but if that's the only time you ever use it, you're missing out. I've pulled together an epic slew of aloe vera gel beauty hacks that will have you using the gel every day. Whether you want to love on your hair, face, or body, aloe vera gel has you covered.

While all of the DIY aloe vera gel hacks below can be achieved with store bought 100 percent aloe vera gel, I would really encourage you to buy your own aloe plant for the gel. On top of being totally and completely organic, it's also super budget-friendly and you'll have a never-ending supply of gel.

To get the gel from an aloe plant, learn from ThePaleoMama, who broke down the steps on her blog. She explained how you'll need to cut off large leafs as close to the stem as possible, rinse them under water, cut off the top parts of each leaf, and then grab a spoon and scoop out the gel. After it's all scooped out, blend it in a food processor or blender for just a few seconds for a totally smooth consistency. Now you're good to go!

Of course, if the process above sounds like way too much work, you can just buy a bottle of gel from the store. #NoJudgement

Fruit Of The EarthAloe Vera Gel, $11, Amazon

Sweet, smooth, and 100 percent pure.

Onto the hacks!

1. Curl Definer

According to Refinery29, you can whip together a tablespoon each of aloe vera gel, shea butter, and coconut oil to create an all natural curl definer for smooth definition.

2. Makeup Primer

PopSugar shared that rubbing a little gel over your face will "even out your complexion" before adding makeup. Yes, please!

3. Acne Treatment

According to MindBodyGreen, aloe can reduce acne, because it "contains two hormones: Auxin and Gibberellins. These two hormones provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. Giberellin in aloe vera acts as a growth hormone stimulating the growth of new cells."

4. Eyebrow Gel

Dipping a mascara wand in aloe and brushing it across your brows as eyebrow gel will keep things put without getting sticky, shared Prevention.

5. Moisturizing Shampoo Booster

For a little added moisture boost, swirl in aloe vera gel to your favorite shampoo and use as you normally would.

6. Bug Bite Treatment

Summer means mosquitos (ugh), but aloe gel works as a natural itch reliever for pesky bites!

7. Makeup Remover

Another Prevention tip: "Squeeze a dollop of pure aloe gel onto a cotton ball and swipe away the day for a simple and effective alternative [to makeup remover]."

8. Dandruff Fighter

StyleCraze shared how aloe has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe an irritated scalp and quell dandruff.

9. Exfoliator

Stir together 1/2 cup of aloe vera gel with a 1/4 cup of brown sugar for a practically instant DIY body exfoliator.

10. Heel Soother

Got dry, cracked heels? YouBeauty advised, "Aloe vera applied directly on the heels plus socks overnight will do wonders!" Add a few drops of essential oil (like lavender) to fight stinky feet and add moisture.

11. Shaving Cream

Prevention sang the praises of using aloe vera gel solo as super moisturizing shaving gel, and also offered a simple DIY shaving gel recipe!

Want more fashion and beauty tips? Check out the video below and subscribe to Bustle on YouTube!

Images: Fotolia; London Scout, Lena Bell(2), Roksolana Zasiadko, Agberto Guimaraes, Michelle Spencer, Kantemir Kertiev, Ariana Prestes, Misty Pittman, How-Soon Ngu, Stas Kulesh/Unsplash