Aloe Vera Gel

Since the time of the Pharaohs, the gel from the spiny gray-green leaves of the aloe veraplant has been doctoring sunburns, skin irritations, insect bites and dry skin. Part of Cleopatra's cache of beauty secrets, the fleshy succulent is also said to have been the "Gift of Venus," responsible for the luxuriantly silky hair and velvety skin of young maidens of ancient times.