Aloe vera is perhaps one of those ingredients that are extremely useful. And now here we are with 8 benefits of aloe vera for skin that will amaze you. Almost everyone by now knows that aloe vera is a good substitute for most of the moisturizers in the market, and yet there are other things that they are good at as well.
Thus today, we will go through the 8 benefits of aloe vera for skin in order to come out of the box of limited conception about the same. Aloe vera is one of the most natural elements that will help you not just bring in the inner glow but also provide better moisturizers.
It has been used for ages and has also been used in ancient medieval times for its medically healing powers. In today’s day, aloe vera has been so well studied and well known that they are incorporating aloe vera as one of the significant components in their skincare products.
The benefits of aloe vera are seen in various other things apart from just skincare, the benefits of drinking aloe vera juice first thing in the morning and benefits of aloe vera for hair are few of the most known uses of aloe vera.
Although various forms of aloe vera are now available in the market, the most used ones are aloe vera gel for skin. There are aloe vera juice, aloe vera toner, and also aloe vera moisturizers, but the best way to be using aloe vera would be in the gel form for skin at least.
In this article, we will be discussing the top 8 benefits of aloe vera for skin care and the ways you can use it for these benefits. So sit tight to know the aloe vera benefits for skin.
Here is an outline of how we will be proceeding with the article
- What is Aloe vera
- Properties of aloe vera
- Top 8 benefits of aloe vera for skin
- How to use aloe vera for skin
- Side effects of aloe vera
- Take away note
WHAT IS ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera is typically a plant, and the word Aloe has been derived from the Arabic word “Alloeh,” which primarily means “a shining better substance.” They have been most widely used around 2000 years ago by the Greek scientist and was also once known as the plant of immortality by the early Egyptians[1].
The use of Aloe vera today has changed the entire field of cosmetology as it is widely used and is gaining popularity due to its beneficial properties. Its healing properties have been known by humans for at least 6000 years now[2].
Aloe vera is actually a succulent kind of plant that can survive harsh conditions and are thus more abundantly grown in dry regions such as Africa, India, and Europe. The plant has long thick leaves with a jelly-like consistency inside the leaves that are mainly used for various purposes.
Aloe vera today has gained many uses out of it as food supplements, cosmetics, herbal remedies, etc.[3] Aloe vera gel for skin has been well exploited by many cosmetic brands.
PROPERTIES OF ALOE VERA
Historically aloe vera has been known for many healing properties and are also consumed nowadays for its components.
Let’s see the different components that are there in aloe vera that make it so unique and usable for various things. Benefits of aloe vera for skin or hair or weight loss, it all makes sense once we get into the composition of aloe vera[4].
Active components in aloe vera:
– Vitamins- It contains about 5 to 6 kinds of vitamins that help in giving the antioxidant property to the plant
– Minerals- Aloe vera also is known to have various minerals such as calcium, manganese, magnesium, zinc, etc. Minerals are one of the most essential elements for our normal bodily functions.
– Polyscaachirdes– Contains sugars in it.
– Active enzymes: Aloe vera has some powerful active enzymes that help in various metabolic processes and also helps in healing the skin.
– Amino acids: Aloe vera contain about 8 essential amino acids and many non –essential amino acids.
Properties of aloe vera:
- It has healing properties for skin
- It has anti-oxidant property
- It acts as an anti-inflammatory substance
- Helps to boost our immune system
- It also has anti-microbial property
- Aloe vera has a moisturizing property for skin
- Acts as an anti-aging agent.
TOP 8 BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA FOR SKIN
Although the benefits of aloe vera for skin are vast and wide in range, but we have tried here to compile and give you the most known and well-studied benefits of aloe vera.
But since everyone’s skin varies by texture and type, such as oily, dry, and combination skin type. The uses and the benefits or rather the extent of the benefits may vary from person to person.
#1 HEALS SUN BURNS
Sunburns can be really daunting and painful at the same time. It is mainly caused due to overexpose of your skin to sun rays, which in turn causes red, sore and sometimes swollen skin. They are primarily due to the sun’s UV rays, which can also be due to some artificial sources[5].
There are many home remedies that can be used for treating it like applying ice on the skin can be relaxing, but aloe vera has been studied to be one of the best ways to treat burn areas.
The soothing and cooling effect of the aloe vera helps the skin relax and return to its normal state.
There have been studies on the same as well, a review paper on aloe vera in 2009 has shown how aloe vera has a potential sunburn treating property[6].
Another study in 2018 also shows that one of the compounds in the aloe vera called Aloin has anti-inflammatory properties, which might be responsible for the plant’s healing properties [7].
#2 HELP WITH DRY SKIN PROBLEM
The moisturizing property of aloe vera is well known for and has been as a high light for the derma industry. Aloe vera is known to know elements that help in hydrating our skin mainly because the plant is mostly composed of water that helps in tightening our skin.
The aloe vera gel softens our skin and soothes and smoothens the texture of our skin.
Having said so, even though it is quite a natural moisturizer but it is more on the gel form of a moisturizer, and people who have dehydrated skin might need other creams to top of aloe vera[8].
#3 HEALS WOUNDS
We have already seen how aloe vera helps in sunburns; similar properties are led to the wound healing properties of the aloe vera as well.
A study in 2014 found that aloe vera gel helped in healing wounds successfully and was concluded by a controlled clinical trial[9]. Another study done in 2012 conducted a study that would determine the effects of aloe vera on acute and chronic wounds, the study concluded that although there were promising results, there is a need for more clinical studies for the same to specify anything[10].
#4 ACTS AS ANTI-AGING AGENT
Aloe vera has many components in it that help as an excellent anti-oxidant. Elements such as Vitamins and minerals in itself helps to improve not only the texture of the skin but also acts as an anti-aging compound [11].
#5 HELPS TO FADE ACNE MARKS
Due to the properties of aloe vera as an excellent anti-microbial effect, it is one of the best remedies for acne and infections.
Aloe vera helps reduce the acne up to a considerable level and helps the skin to wound appropriately. The presence of polysaccharide and gibberellins in aloe vera helps in reducing inflammation and redness[12].
Aloe vera also acts as an astringent that helps in the reduction of the size of the acne and removes the presence of microbes.
#6 HELPS TO TREAT ACNE AND STRETCH MARKS
Aloe vera not only helps in reducing the size of acne but also helps in removing any scars of the leftover acne or old acne marks.
All the blemishes and spots on the skins are erased with the help of aloe vera. Sometimes even stretch marks can be treated with aloe vera. So if you are wondering how to deal with stretch marks due to weight loss, this is one of the home remedies you can try.
Aloe vera helps promote collagen in the skin, thus reducing the scarring[13].
#7 REDUCES ITCHYNESS
In these top 8 benefits of Aloe vera itchiness had to be one of the essential factors of aloe vera. A condition called Eczema is well treated with the help of aloe vera.
Aloe vera has been associated with Eczema for a very long time. Eczema is a condition of dehydrated skin on scalps, ears even skin. It leads to irritation and itchiness.
So if the question is if aloe vera is good for itchy skin, then let me tell you it is absolutely an excellent solution.
#8 REDUCES DARK CIRCLES
The presence of Vitamin E in aloe vera helps in reducing the dark circles underneath your eyes.
Now that we know the aloe vera benefits for skin, it is essential to know how to incorporate it in our daily routine.
HOW TO USE ALOE VERA FOR SKIN
- Use it as a toner: take some aloe vera gel/ aloe vera juice and dilute it with water in 2:1 ration and spritz it on your desired body part.
- Use it with essential oil: Essential oils such as tea tree essential oil, lavender essential oil, and lemon essential oils are very useful for skin, but it’s in a very concentrated form, mixing it with aloe vera dilutes it.
It gives you a good mixture of excellent acne treatment, and this can be used to spot correct some acnes.
- Use as a moisturizer: Direct use of aloe vera products or aloe vera gel directly on your skin. Use of aloe vera gel for skin care is the best way to utilize the benefits of aloe vera.
Use aloe vera supplements
- Drinking aloe vera juice early in the morning can also help in glowing skin.
- Aloe vera scrub: use of Aloe vera gel + blended walnuts/flour and use it as a scrub, aloe vera gives a soothing sensation for the scrub.
- Aloe vera packs for skin:
- Aloe vera gel(2 spoons)+ rose water
- Aloe vera gel(2 spoons)+ pinch of turmeric+ curd
- Aloe vera gel(2 spoons)+honey+ milk
- Aloe vera gel(2 spoons)+ Brown sugar(1/2 spoon)+ lemon essential oil
SIDE EFFECTS OF ALOE VERA
With all the positive benefits that aloe vera brings in for our skin and our body in general, it’s obvious to think still if it is at all safe to use, right?
If I had to say in a word, it would be “yes,” it is safe. But they have not been certified yet by the FDA for use as the very medical properties of aloe vera are still unknown and are to be studied a little more for clarity.
Although some countries have allowed the use of aloe vera for consumption for the treatment of constipation, it is used for topical use not controlled by the FDA, and thus it’s on one’s own risk.
It can also be allergic to a few people and cause rashes and redness. Thus it’s suggested to patch test any new substance that you might be starting off with. Consultation with a doctor is always advisable.
TAKE AWAY NOTE
Aloe vera is a natural compound with most of the nutrients that are beneficial for our body. Still, the lack of enough clinical trials and study on it makes it little contradicting statements. But there are pieces of evidence that say otherwise and says it’s safe to use at least tropically.
And as mentioned before, everyone’s skin has their way of healing and reacting to things, even though it might be a natural one, thus what might work on one may not work for the other person.
Keeping an open mind and trying out new things is the least we can do and hope to get better skin, if the use of aloe vera gel does not seem to be benefits for you, you can always switch over to other natural substances.
