Aloe Vera is one of the natural ingredients that are widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries.
It is a short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves. Aloe Vera is well recognized by its thick, pointed and fleshy green leaves, which can grow to about 12-19 inches (30-50 cm) in length. Each leaf is full of a slimy tissue that stores water, which makes the leaves thick. This water-filled tissue is the βgelβ we associate with aloe vera products. The gel contains most of the bioactive compounds in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.
With the nutrition it contains, it is not surprising that aloe Vera has many benefits to offer. For your skin, aloe vera acts as soothing beauty agent which helps to keep your skin healthy and repairs damaged one. And the good thing about aloe vera as skin care is that it can be used by people of different skin types! It can also be used in various formsβas a gel, juice, cream, soaps, even the whole plant.
Here are what aloe vera can do to your skin and beauty:
It relieves itchy skin
When you have an itchy rash, it means that your body is trying to fight off an irritant or allergen. While you might have medicines to help clear up the rash and take care of the causative agent, the extreme itchiness and irritation during a breakout can be unbearable. You can get rid of the itchiness with aloe vera.
How to use it:
Just take a leaf from an aloe vera plant and cut it open gently. Scoop out the jelly-like substance inside using a spoon or blunt knife. Apply this gel on the itchy spot and leave it there for a few minutes.
It delays the visible signs of ageing
Aloe vera plant contains malic acid that helps reduce wrinkles by improving the elasticity of your skin. Some research has found that using aloe vera gel topically can slow aging of the skin. In one study of women over the age of 45, topical application of the gel was shown to increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity over a 90-day period.
How to use it:
Simply cut an aloe vera leaf from the plant and extract its gel. Apply the fresh gel onto your skin and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, and wash it out with lukewarm water. Another option is to mix one teaspoon of aloe vera gel with the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Apply the mixture to areas where wrinkles are forming. Leave it on half an hour and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
It accelerates the healing of burns
For sunburns, blisters and small burns that cause minor pain, redness or damage that is limited to the top layers of skin, aloe vera can cure it all. A review of four experimental studies found that aloe vera can reduce the healing time of burns by around nine days compared to conventional medication.
How to use it:
Cut fresh aloe from a plant and wash it. Cut off a portion of the plant, and squeeze out the gel and put it on the burn. After applying aloe, leave the affected area uncovered and clean. Reapply two or three times per day as needed.
It reduces acne
The antibacterial properties of aloe vera gel are very effective in treating acne and reducing the redness caused by it. It prevents bacteria from infecting acne wounds and accelerates the process of healing. Magnesium lactate present in aloe vera helps to alleviate the itching sensation caused by acne. The astringent property of aloe removes excess oil and dirt from the skin to prevent acne. In short, aloe vera does not cure acne, but reduces the swelling, inflammation and redness associated with it.
How to use it:
- For treating acne and scars with aloe, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply this gel on face and neck area. Leave it overnight and wash the next morning.
- You can also make facial mask using aloe vera gel. Blend aloe vera gel, honey and rose water to make a smooth paste. Apply this mask on the acne prone areas and wash it off after 20 minutes. You can also add a pinch of turmeric to this facial mask to brighten your complexion.
It moistures your skin
Aloe vera can be used in place of lotion for a natural daily skin moisturizer. It can be effective humectants, increasing water retention in the skin. It also contains antioxidants in the form of vitamins A, C, and E, and enzymes that can help calm inflammation and irritation. Aloe moisturizes the skin without giving a greasy feel, so itβs perfect for anyone with an aloe complexion.
How to use it:
Simply peel the skin of aloe vera leaves, and rub the inner part of the skin onto your skin thoroughly. Let it dries and wash it off. You can also slice multiple layers of the aloe gel and apply them to your skin.
While a lot of aloe vera products are available in the market today, you can plant it at home and get as much as benefits from its juice and gel. But if it sounds impossible for you, you can still get an aloe vera based gel and use it for your skin. Make sure you get the product with aloe vera content and minimum preservatives such as coloring agent, alcohol, and paraben to get the most benefits of it.
You can easily grow Aloe Vera plants at home in the garden or in pots.
Also Read: 7 Tips for Clear Skin for Women Over 40
