Aloe Vera Uses And Benifits
Aloe vera is perhaps one of the most widely used herbal remedies for topical skin conditions. This is because the gel-like components of the plant are known to heal the skin from a variety of minor ailments.
In fact, you might have even used aloe in the past for sunburn, minor cuts, or small abrasions.
Despite its healing powers, you may be wondering if it’s safe for using on your face. Generally speaking, the answer is yes. When used correctly, aloe vera can help with a variety of ailments that might affect your skin.
Aloe Vera: Nature’s Soothing Solution for Glowing Skin
Aloe vera isn’t just a pretty succulent anymore. This desert plant boasts a treasure trove of benefits for your skin, making it a natural wonder in the world of skincare. Let’s explore how aloe vera can transform your complexion:
Hydration Hero: Forget dry, flaky skin! Aloe vera gel is packed with water and humectants. These act like moisture magnets, drawing water into your skin and keeping it there. The result? Plump, supple skin with a healthy glow.
Sunburn Savior: Aloe vera is a sunburn sufferer’s best friend. Its cooling properties bring immediate relief, while its anti-inflammatory nature reduces redness and soothes irritation. Bonus: studies suggest it may even accelerate healing!
Anti-Inflammatory All-Star: Struggling with eczema, psoriasis, or pesky insect bites? Aloe vera can be your calming companion. Its anti-inflammatory magic helps reduce swelling, redness, and itching, bringing comfort to troubled skin.
Wound-Healing Wonder: Minor cuts, scrapes, and burns can heal faster with the help of aloe vera. This wonder plant promotes cell growth and collagen production, both crucial for skin repair. Additionally, it can minimize scarring, leaving your skin looking its best.
Acne Avenger: Aloe vera might be the key to clearer skin. Its antimicrobial properties fight blemish-causing bacteria, while its anti-inflammatory nature tackles the redness and irritation associated with breakouts.
How to Use Aloe Vera:
- DIY or Store-bought: The choice is yours! Harvest the gel straight from an aloe vera plant (remember to wash the leaf thoroughly first!). Alternatively, opt for store-bought aloe vera gel. Look for products containing 100% pure aloe vera for maximum benefit.
- Patch Test is a Must: Before applying aloe vera to your entire face, do a patch test on a small area of your inner arm. This ensures you don’t experience any irritation.
Aloe vera has a surprising range of uses beyond just soothing sunburns!
Skin Soother: This is the classic use. Aloe vera gel’s anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties calm irritated skin, making it great for sunburns, eczema, psoriasis, and minor cuts or scrapes.
Hydrating Hero: Packed with water and humectants, aloe vera is a natural moisturizer for all skin types. It helps lock in moisture, leaving skin feeling plump and hydrated.
Wound Healing: Studies suggest aloe vera promotes cell growth and collagen production, which can aid wound healing and potentially minimize scarring.
Oral Consumption (with caution): Aloe vera juice is sometimes consumed for its potential digestive benefits, although research is ongoing. It’s important to consult a doctor before consuming aloe vera juice due to potential side effects.
Hair Care: Aloe vera can be used as a natural hair conditioner, adding shine and manageability to hair. Some people also use it to soothe an itchy scalp.
Mouthwash (not to swallow): Some mouthwashes contain aloe vera for its potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, although more research is needed. Remember, don’t swallow aloe vera mouthwash.
Household Uses: While less common, aloe vera gel can be used as a natural thickener in homemade cleaning products or as a non-chemical furniture polish.
What Does Aloe Vera Contain?
Aloe vera raw pulp contains approximately 98.5% water, while the remaining solid material consists of a range of compounds including water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, enzymes, polysaccharides, organic acids and phenolic compounds.
Various active ingredients in aloe vera work beneficially for the skin. Here are some of them:
Aloin (barbaloin) is a substance with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiseptic, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Hormones such as auxins and gibberellins help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Though there is little research specifically on aloe vera as a scalp mask, all of the plant’s beneficial properties for skin—namely, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial—also lend themselves to the scalp (which is also skin, after all).
Applying it as a scalp mask can help soothe irritation, exfoliate, replenish hydration, and even strengthen and smooth hair follicles. “It can also be used to keep hair smooth and shiny and also for the scalp to help eliminate dead skin cells,” Garshick says.
It provides healthy aging benefits for skin
Hydrated skin is happy, healthy skin, and as we know, sufficient moisture also helps stave off the visible signs of aging (e.g.: fine lines and wrinkles).
Though there is little research specifically on aloe vera as a scalp mask, all of the plant’s beneficial properties for skin—namely, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial—also lend themselves to the scalp (which is also skin, after all).
Applying it as a scalp mask can help soothe irritation, exfoliate, replenish hydration, and even strengthen and smooth hair follicles. “It can also be used to keep hair smooth and shiny and also for the scalp to help eliminate dead skin cells,” Garshick says.
It provides healthy aging benefits for skin
Hydrated skin is happy, healthy skin, and as we know, sufficient moisture also helps stave off the visible signs of aging (e.g.: fine lines and wrinkles).
In addition to its ability to help replenish and retain moisture in the skin, aloe also stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen and elastin fibers in the skin—all of which are necessary to keep skin hydrated, firm, and supple, and all of which decline naturally with age. Applying aloe vera topically has been shown to help restore skin elasticity7 and decrease the appearance of fine lines.