Aloe vera has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Anyone who has had a sunburn knows that aloe vera is a must-have beauty staple. I've begun to notice that lately aloe vera is in everything from beauty products to juices and supplements - I've even seen it frozen in ice cube trays, which makes complete sense since the benefits of aloe vera seem never-ending. Some of the many advantages to incorporating aloe into your beauty routine are:

• When taken in a supplement or drink, it helps to support a healthy digestive system, a healthy immune system and normal muscle and joint functions
• It reduces toxins in the body, aids in digestion and has an alkalizing effect on the body
• It is high in amino and fatty acids as well as vitamins and minerals
• It'ss great for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis, bug bites and sunburnt skin
• Since aloe is has a high water content, it is a great way to hydrate, moisturize and rejuvenate skin
• Aloe increases skin elasticity by making it more flexible through collagen and elastin repair
• Aloe is also an emollient, helping to soften and soothe the skin
• It helps supply oxygen to the skin cells, increasing the strength and synthesis of skin tissue and induces improved blood flow to the skin

With all of these amazing benefits, it's no wonder we're finding it in more skin care products. Below are some of my favorite aloe vera beauty products: 1. Sustainable Youth Ultra Creamy Cleansing Lotion, Elasticity Cream & Revitalizing Serum: These products are amazing when used together or on their own.  They all contain alasta, which is the most potent immunostimulatory ingredient derived from Aloe.  The Ultra Creamy Cleansing Lotion is extremely luxurious.  It thoroughly cleanses my skin, but leaves it feeling soft and moisturized and not stripped like a lot of facial cleansers.  It also has a beautiful calming, but fresh scent that I absolutely cannot get enough of.  The Firming & Revitalizing Serum is a really lightweight serum that is immediately absorbed into my skin leaving it baby soft, smooth and glowing.  The Elasticity Cream is also fast absorbing and lightweight, but leaves my skin hydrated, refreshed, soothed and feeling firmer. 2. Farmaesthetics Cool Aloe Mist This cooling, hydrating mist offers immediate relief to inflamed skin. It's also a great makeup setting spray, an amazing refreshing facial and body toner and a purifying mist for skin. 3. Alothera Moisturizing Shampoo and Keratin Conditioner In addition to smelling amazing, these products together leave my hair soft, shiny and silky.  The conditioner works like a deep conditioning treatment on my hair.  I left it in my hair for just 2 minutes and I could feel the improvement in my hair immediately. 4. Biorepublic Aloe Rescue Revitalizing Sheet Mask This eco-conscious sheet mask is very soothing, hydrating and easy to use.   I can see and feel the difference in my skin right away.  I would highly recommend using this mask after a day at the beach, after a long flight or anytime your skin fees dry and irritated. 5. 365 Everyday Value Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice On its own this juice is a bit tough for me to swallow, but I love adding it to my favorite healthy juices and smoothies, after all beauty does literally begin from the inside out! This juice is available at Whole Foods. 6. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash: I'd be remiss if I left out this amazing natural and organic body wash. With aloe as the main ingredient, this body wash soothes and hydrates skin as it cleanses. The mix of citrus essential oils creates an invigorating shower experience. 7. InviCible Scars: Scars need to be mositurized in order to heal properly. And since skin is inflammed during the healing process, it only makes sense to use a scar treatment that contains aloe. While aloe won't fade your scar (InviCible uses Vitamin C and licorice root extract to handle that part), it helps to strengthen the collagen structure in your scar to minimize its appearance. Do you have a favorite aloe beauty product not on this list? Share it in the comments! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

By now, we all know...or should know the health and beauty benefits of drinking water. Approximately 50 to 70% of our body mass is made up of water so it is important to replenish our bodies with the water that we lose on a daily basis. Water is essential to our health because it removes toxins from our bodies thus cleanses it and is required to process all of the nutrients from the food we eat and carry the assimilated nutrients to the cells by circulating through the lymphatic system. Drinking water also has a ton of beauty benefits.  Drinking water prevents dehydration, which becomes most noticeable in your skin first. If you've ever gotten the flu and became dehydrated you may have noticed it first in your lips cracking and becoming dry and then on your face as well. Drinking water also aids in weight loss by acting as a natural appetite suppressant.  Now imagine going one step further towards a healthier more beautiful you by drinking alkaline water. Alkaline water has all of the health and beauty benefits of drinking regular water, but it goes further by helping to balance the body’s acidity levels by mitigating the negative effects caused by stress, lack of sleep and poor diet. I am currently in love with 1907 Alkaline Water.  1907Water is sourced 680 feet deep at the foot of New Zealand’s Kaimanawa Ranges, resulting in pure, uncontaminated water. I absolutely love the taste of this water, and I know what you're thinking, it probably tastes like any other bottled water, but it absolutely does not!  It has a really refreshing, clean smooth taste due to its high alkalinity and low mineral content. 1907Water helps neutralize acid in the bloodstream by keeping the body's pH levels between 7.1 to 8.2, which leads to increases in oxygen levels, energy and metabolism.  1907Water bottles are 100% BPA-free, 100% RPET and are 100% recyclable. 1907Water is available online at Amazon.com and select retailers nationwide (Whole Foods, Shop Rite, Sprouts, The Fresh Market, etc.) Do you drink alkaline water? Leave a comment and let me know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press sample, affiliate link