Aloe Vera is one of the succulent plant species. There are around 500 of just Aloe species. This plant is very popular for not only its medicinal use but also cosmetic use. Even the legend says that the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra’s skin complexion’s secret comes from Aloe Vera Gel.
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Helps soothe Sunburns
-Soothing sunburns can be aloe vera’s most popular usage.
– According to this study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK74820/ aloe vera helps with first and second-degree burns on the skin.
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017010/ This study shows that aloin present in the aloe plant, has ani-inflammatory benefits that can promote healing and heal sunburns.
– When you encounter a sunburn, you might also encounter the skin peeling off. Aloe Vera also help with the skin peeling off!
– Since aloe vera has also natural moisturizing properties, applying it to sunburns, can help the skin retain moisture, form a protective layer to the skin and speed up the healing process.
How to?
Apply aloe vera gel couple times a day (3-5 times) to the sunburned area. Repeat the process for couple days until your skin condition has improved.
Careful: Aloe Vera can be applied to 1st or 2nd degree burns. For severe burns consult your doctor.
– Careful: It is better to protect your skin from sunburn than to treat it. Always protect your skin from over exposure to sun.
-Careful: Choose a 100% natural aloe vera without any harmful additives that can worsen your sunburn.
Effects on skin exposure to UV
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
According to this study, aloe vera contains a protein called metallothionein which gives UV exposed and damaged skin a protective effect.
2. Moisturizing properties
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/ According to this study, mucopolysaccharides present in aloe vera, help binding moisture in the skin.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17026654/ According to this research Aloe vera has natural and effective moisturizing properties which is possibly linked to its humectant mechanism.
– Tİp: Do not apply Aloe Vera alone. Aloe Vera is a gelly agent and if applied with a fatty substance such as a vegetable oil, it will multiply its hydration properties.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3141305/ In this study aloe vera was used with a vegetable oil (wheat germ oil was used in the study), this study demonstrated that aloe vera + wheat germ oil used together produced higher hydration together than when used separately.
Using a vegetable oil alongside with aloe, helps sealing the moisture better.
– How long to see results?
According to this study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3141305/ the moisturizers improve the skin hydration and appearance on daily use. However, after 3 week of daily application results were significant.
-Aloe Vera is perfect for all skin types; dry, oily, mixed, and normal. Aloe vera absorbs easily, gives hydration to the skin while not leaving a greasy layer on the skin. However, the vegetable oil you use alongside with aloe vera should fit your skin type.
3. Tighten pores
According to this study, zinc present in Aloe Vera act as an astringent and help tightening pores.
4. Anti-aging benefits
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/ According to this study,
Aloe Vera stimulate fibroblast; these fibroblasts produce collagen and elastin (which prevent and help reverse formation of fine lines and wrinkles by making the skin more elastic). Aloe vera helps restore skin elasticity, and contribute to having a firmer skin.
– Aloe Vera is rich in vitamins such as vitamin C and E and in beta-carotene, which are one of the leaders in fighting free radicals. They prevent formation of free radicals which cause skin cells to age faster (thus help in preventing formation of fine lines and wrinkles).
5. Anti-inflammatory properties:
Helps with inflammatory skin diseases such as acne, psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9121170/ This research demonstrates that aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, aloe vera helps with inflammatory skin diseases (Acne, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis).
On top of that aloe vera naturally contains salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen, phenols and sulfur. These naturally present content in aloe vera prevent growth of fungi, bacteria and viruses.
– Helps with Acne
– Psoriasis
– Eczema
– Seborrheic Dermatitis
a. helps with acne
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321044287_Extraction_of_Active_Components_of_Aloe_Vera_to_Treat_Acnepimple_in_Population_of_Quetta_City
This study shows that the application of aloe vera reduced the diameter of the lesion.
– Thanks to salicylic acid naturally present in aloe vera, it reduces the redness and inflammation caused by acne.
-Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Aloe vera prevents bacteria build-up that is one of the main causes of acne. It suppresses the bacteria that cause acne, P. acnes.
b.Soothes and treats Eczema and Psoriasis
Eczema and Psoriasis are likely the signs of weakened skin barrier and immune system. Applying aloe vera can help your skin having a healthier skin barrier. However, you should also strengthen your internal immune system to get rid of these conditions.
Plus, when your skin barrier is weakened, it becomes also more prone to bacterial and fungal infections. However, aloe vera works as a great antiseptic, helping against the growth of fungi, bacteria and viruses.
– Aloe vera can help reduce the inflammation, irritation and redness caused by these disorders.
On top of that, applying aloe vera to the affected area can also help relieving its itchiness.
For best results apply aloe vera at least 2 times a day to the affected areas.
6. Blackheads and whiteheads
On top of aloe vera’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it also has other beneficial properties for improving blackhead and whitehead conditions.
Aloe Vera naturally contains polysaccharides and gibberellins. They work as astringent that help to clear pores and help diminishing their sizes. They help flush out excess sebum, dirt and microbes from pores.
Aloe vera naturally contains salicylic acid, which not only helps with breakouts but also blackheads and whiteheads.
Aloe vera has the ability to control excess oil, thus preventing the development of blackheads.
How to:
-Preferably use a freshly extracted gel out of the aloe vera leaf (or a store-bought 100% aloe vera gel without any added chemicals)
– Leave the gel around 15 minutes to the affected area.
– Rinse with warm water.
-You can apply this process daily since aloe vera is a pretty safe ingredient.
– This can be applied for all skin types.
7. Gentle exfoliator/ remove dead skin cells
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid naturally, and acts as a gentle exfoliator. It exfoliates the skin, eliminates dead skin cells without damaging It.
While removing dead skin cells gently, Aloe Vera prevents from stripping of the skin of its natural oils (unlike those chemically loaded exfoliators which strip the natural oil of the skin). Thus, the skin is ready for better penetration of new products while keeping its natural moisture
8. Help in the production of new cells
Aloe Vera naturally contains polysaccharides and gibberellins. These compounds help with the production of new cells.
9. Helps getting rid of Dark circles
Aloe Vera is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which help lighten the discolouration. Aloe vera is rich in alosein, which help to improve the pigmentation on the skin. It also helps depuffing the eyes while having a cooling effect.
10. Can help fade stretch marks
Aloe Vera naturally contains aloesin and aloin which help improving the appearance of dark spots and stretch marks.
II. Toxicity and Side Effects
Aloe Vera is considered pretty safe when applied topically. However, some people with sensitive skin can develop an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis), itching, stinging or even a sight burning feeling. Make sure to patch test before use.
It is also not advised to use aloe vera on severe wound and burns and infected skin (even though the plant has antimicrobial properties, due to its protective layer it can interfere with the natural healing process of the skin and can make condition worse).
Always consult a doctor in these conditions.
III. How to Choose your Aloe Vera?
If you want to benefit from Aloe Vera to the fullest, it’s best to choose the best. Many of aloe vera products sold in stores have a little concentration of aloe vera.
Tip: – Check the ingredients list of the product (generally wrote in small letters in the back of the product); if aloe vera is present as the first ingredients in the order of the list, it means that the formulation is mostly concentrated of that first ingredient.
– Make sure your Aloe Vera gel does not contain any harmful additives (such as alcohol, colour, fragrances..). The additives can irritate your skin and you will not benefit from the aloe vera to the fullest.
Be careful: If the product is advertised as 100%gel it does not mean it is 100% aloe vera. It means the formulation is 100%gel, that’s all, it’s a marketing trap. To be safe, check the ingredients list.
P.S:
-Beside looking for an aloe vera gel from the market, you can also obtain the gel from the Aloe Vera plant itself. You can get Aloe Vera plants from garden stores or even online.
III. How to extract the raw aloe vera gel from the plant’s leaves:
- Make sure you are working with a mature Aloe Vera plant. Its green leaves should be at least 20cm long.
- Cut off an Aloe Vera leaf: use a sharp knife and cut off one leaf of the plant.
- Clean off the latex: When you have cut off the leaf, the aloe latex (a yellowish substance) will appear. This substance is not aloe vera and you should get rid of it because it may not affect your health in a positive way.
- Cut off the narrow-pointed end of the cut leaf
- Repeat the previous rinsing process from the latex
- Remove the hard spine edges with the help of a knife
- Remove the top and bottom skins of the Aloe vera with a knife
- Scoop out the gel: with a spoon or a knife
- Place the gel in a container and place it to the refrigerator.
N.B: Even though aloe vera is considered pretty safe, always do a patch test before use.
IV. Drinking Aloe Vera Juice
Drinking Aloe Vera can be beneficial to have a healthier body and skin, since it is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins.
V. Aloe Vera for hair
Aloe Vera can help with dandruffs and can be a boost to grow your hair.
FAQ:
Can we apply aloe vera on face daily?
Yes. Aloe Vera gel can be used as a great moisturiser, it is known to contain more than 90% of water and many vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E which help achieving a glowing skin. Daily use of Aloe Vera gel is considered safe. However, patch test before use
What does aloe vera do for your skin?
Aloe Vera help improve the overall appearance of the skin. What aloe vera does for skin starts from having anti-aging benefits (preventing formation of fine lines and wrinkles) thanks to its powerful antioxidant content, while also having natural anti-inflammatory properties which help with conditions such as acne.
Can I leave aloe vera on my face overnight?
Yes. If you want to use aloe vera gel as a moisturiser, mix the aloe vera gel with a vegetable oil that suits your skin type. The vegetable oil will help seal the moisture. Use of aloe vera help the skin towards having a clear glowing skin since it is loaded with natural antioxidants.
Can aloe vera lighten skin?
Aloe Vera naturally contains aloesin and aloin, which help improving the appearance of dark spots and helps depigmenting your skin softly and naturally. This miraculous plant helps eradicating skin blemishes, imperfections while giving skin a soft exfoliation by eliminating dead skin cells. Therefore, Aloe Vera helps with lightening the skin.
What are the side effects of aloe vera?
Aloe Vera is considered pretty safe when applied topically. However, some people with sensitive skin can develop an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis), itching, stinging or even a sight burning feeling. Do not use aloe vera on severe wound and burns and infected skin. Make sure to patch test before use.
Is there any side effects of aloe vera on face?
Aloe Vera is considered pretty safe when applied topically. However, some people with sensitive skin can develop an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis), itching, stinging or even a sight burning feeling. Make sure to patch test before use.
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