5 Big Benefits that Aloe Vera Gel Boasts for Your Skin
The benefits of aloe vera gel for the skin are well known in the popular sphere, since this is a plant that has been used for hundreds of years for various issues and has also been studied in the laboratory on countless occasions.
From the fleshy leaves (stalks) of the aloe plant, the famous aloe vera gel, a gelatinous substance with medicinal properties, is extracted. It’s often used topically to moisturize the skin and treat certain skin problems, such as dryness, for example.
Aloe vera gel is a simple and natural remedy commonly used at home. Generally, it’s applied alone, but in some cases, it’s combined with other natural elements, such as honey.
Here are 5 benefits of aloe vera gel to take care of the skin and improve problems such as dryness, recent acne scars, irritations, or minor burns.
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera is a perennial plant common in areas that have hot climates. People have used the plant for thousands of years because of is medicinal properties in addition to the fact that it’s easy to grow at home.
This plant is very beneficial thanks to its high enzyme, antioxidant, amino-acid, mucilage contents as well as its many other components.
- The advantage of aloe vera gel is that we can extract it easily from the leaf and apply it directly to skin (after having washed it well with water to remove the remains of sage, that yellowish substance that coats it).
- If we don’t have a plant handy, we can buy the gel in a pharmacy or natural-product store. However, we recommend choosing a product that almost exclusively uses aloe vera gel. To do this, we must read the label carefully.
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Benefits of aloe vera gel for the skin
According to a study published in 2011, “although there’s much scientific support for several of the beneficial effects described for aloe, it must be recognized that many aspects remain to be studied to fully understand the mechanisms of beneficial action of aloe”.
In the popular field, aloe vera gel is often recommended as a remedy to relieve mild discomfort, moisturize the skin, and heal superficial wounds (such as scrapes, for example, not open wounds, such as those left by a popped acne pimple).
In this regard, the authors of the above-mentioned study explain that “part of the mechanisms involved in the recovery of injuries by aloe is due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects” and clarify that, depending on the variety of aloe and the concentration, the therapeutic effects vary.
The most commented benefits of aloe vera gel are the ones we are going to share below in more detail.
Skin benefits
1. Cleans and fights acne
Aloe vera gel is a great skin cleaner. Thanks to its enzyme content gel, using the gel allows us to gently exfoliate our skin. A nice exfoliation helps us eliminate dead skin cells without drying out our skin.
Along with its cleansing benefits, the gel also has antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. Thus, we can prevent skin infections and fight conditions such as acne.
2. Moisturizes without leaving skin oily
It can be applied not only on the face, but also on the body. However, it should be clarified: Aloe vera gel alone does not moisturize the skin (on the contrary, it tends to dry it out), but if combined with a vegetable oil (such as coconut, almond, jojoba, etc.) it can provide the desired effect without making the skin look greasy.
3. Soothes
If we need a natural, fast and effective solution to soothe skin, aloe vera just might be one of the best remedies. Thanks to its compounds such as phytosterol, it also boasts anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits.
It makes for a good reason to keep a plant at home or at least a gel in the medicine cabinet. We can use the gel to soothe burns or rashes as well as after shaving. In addition to soothing irritation, it also helps skin regenerate and gives us feeling refreshed.
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4. Heals and regenerates
It’s often said that the most prominent of the benefits of aloe vera gel is its ability to accelerate and improve the healing of the most recent minor wounds. In fact, many treatments include this gel, combined with other ingredients that help regenerate the skin and heal minor superficial wounds, such as rosehip oil.
The plant compounds contained in aloe vera are what stimulate the growth of skin cells. However, in order for it to have an effect, we must be constant.
5. Rejuvenates
Aloe vera gel is a substance that “rejuvenates” the skin because it provides it with part of what it needs to look fresh. This hypothesis includes the following:
- Facilitates cell regeneration: The constant regeneration of skin cells helps prevent aging.
- Contains several antioxidants: These fight free radical damage and help the skin to perform its functions properly.
There are several creams, serums, and related products on the market with aloe vera, vitamin E and Q10 compounds, which aim to eliminate or at least attenuate wrinkles.
It’s interesting to know that studies have also been conducted on the anti-aging effect of aloe vera as a dietary supplement.
Making good use of the aloe vera gel is essential
Although topical use of aloe vera gel doesn’t usually cause discomfort, in some cases (people with sensitive skin, atopic dermatitis, or other skin conditions) it may cause slight redness, itching, and burning, but this isn’t usually serious. Allergic reactions are caused by anthraquinones, such as aloin and barbaloin.
We must be attentive to what the dermatologist tells us to avoid using products like this and suffering adverse reactions.
Contraindications
- Not suitable for treating severe burns.
- Don’t use any preparation with this gel on open wounds on the skin because it will produce irritation and delay the healing process.
- If you’re taking corticosteroids, it’s best not to apply it (or consume it in drinks and related products), as it may cause adverse reactions.
Before applying aloe vera on the skin, it’s advisable to do a small test: Put a little gel on a sensitive skin area (such as the inner side of the arm) and leave it on for half an hour.
If, after this time, no rash appears and there’s no itching sensation, then we can use the aloe. If not, we should stop using it immediately and wash the area with plenty of water.
