Aloe Vera: Top 7 Skin Benefits
Aloe vera is an ancient plant that’s been around for thousands of years. It can grow in almost any kind of climate, which makes it very accessible. aloe vera has been used in many different ways because of its diverse beneficial properties. It is used as a medicine, for consumption, and for topical application as well.
The most beneficial part of aloe vera is its gel. If you cut the plant open, you will find a transparent, gel-like substance. That is the good stuff that has all the beneficial properties and benefits.
Today let’s learn about the skin benefits of ale vera. Aloe vera has miraculous benefits for the skin. This is why aloe vera is commonly used in most the skincare and hair-care products all around the world.
Lets look at the top skin benefits of aloe vera.
Skin Benefits Of Aloe Vera:
1- Great Moisturizer:
Aloe vera acts as a humectant. A humectant is a compound that pulls in moisture from the environment and holds in all the moisture. The gel part of aloe vera holds 95% water. This makes it a great moisturizer for our skin. It does not have a sticky sensation to it like our regular moisturizers and it is non-comedogenic, which means, that it will not clog your pores. Aloe vera should be the go-to moisturizer for people with dry, irritated, and sensitive skin.
2- Heals Acne:
Some people skip moisturizing if they have acne, thinking that moisturizing will clog their pores or maybe they cannot find a suitable moisturizer for their acne skin. No matter what skin condition you have, moisturizing is only going to help. Aloe vera is the most suitable and gentle moisturizer for acne-prone skin.
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can heal minor cuts and bruises as well as wounds. It reduces the amount of inflammation and at the same time speeds up the recovery process of our skin barrier and also fights any active infections. This makes it great for healing acne and blemishes without drying out our skin.
3- Soothes Sunburn:
Aloe vera is used to heal and soothe sunburns because of its miracle-soothing properties. aloe vera has a compound called Aloin, which helps in soothing and repairing the skin. Aloin is known to reverse UV damage.
If you burn your skin at the beach and then go to buy a sunburn healing cream or gel, you will find that most sunburn treatments contain aloe vera.
When you apply aloe vera to sunburned skin, you will feel a soothing and cooling effect instantly.
4- Anti-Aging:
Natural aloe vera contains a high concentration of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. All of these vitamins combine to help in collagen production, fight free radicals and reverse UV damage.
Applying aloe vera regularly can boost collagen production in our skin. The result is the generation of new skin cells. You can literally reverse the signs of aging skin by applying aloe vera regularly. Your skin will feel more smooth, more hydrated, and more youthful.
5- Reduces Hyperpigmentation:
Aloe vera is also helpful in providing you with clear skin. It can reduce the appearance of freckles, dark spots, and other types of hyper-pigmentation like melasma. It can also eradicate blemishes from our skin.
6- Cleanses Skin:
Aloe vera acts as a mild astringent. This means that it goes into your pores, it unbinds all the dirt and sebum from your pores and removes them from your skin giving a mild exfoliation effect.
7- Reduces Dark Circles:
Aloe vera is high in vitamins, antioxidants, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a very gentle and non-comedogenic moisturizer. All these properties make aloe vera gel a great eye cream to provide nutrients to under eye area and heal dark circles. It is recommended to use under the eye but not too close to the edge of your eyelid.
How To Use Aloe Vera Gel:
As always start with cleansing your face. Aloe vera, just like any other skincare product, should be applied to a clean canvas i.e. clean face. You can apply a toner after cleansing. Now it’s time for applying aloe vera gel. We are using aloe vera gel in place of our moisturizer.
Most aloe vera gels in the market have thick, viscous consistency, which is easy to apply directly. Just make sure that when you buy aloe vera gel it should be 99% aloe vera gel and must not contain alcohol. As alcohol is going to damage your skin and reduce the beneficial effects of ale vera gel.
If you are using aloe vera directly from the plant then follow these steps before applying it on your face:
1- Break one aloe vera leaf that is not too small, should be a medium-sized leaf as it contains more benefits.
2- Keep it on a plate and let it rest until some yellow stuff comes out. We are not supposed to apply this yellow stuff on our skin.
3- Wash it and dry.
4- Cut the thorns on the sides of the aloe vera leave and then cut from the middle.
5- Now you can apply the gel part directly on your face or scoop the gel out and then apply it.
6- WARNING: Direct application from the plant is not suitable for some skin conditions, so make sure to patch test first or just use a store-bought aloe vera gel.
To Conclude:
- Aloe vera is a super food for our skin as well as for our bodies.
- Using aloe vera for skin daily is going to solve several skincare problems like hyperpigmentation, acne, UV damage, fine lines, and wrinkles, getting rid of dark circles and the list goes on…
- We should try incorporating such natural ingredients in our skincare game that have great benefits and are not going to break the bank.
