THE MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF USING SKINCARE WITH ALOE VERA

Written by ELLA i SKiN on September 23, 2020.

Elixir of Youth. The Plant of Immorality. Royal Plant. Plant of Eternity. If you are wondering what exotic plant has such legendary status, it might surprise you to learn that it’s Aloe Vera. So, why not skincare with Aloe Vera?

Dating back at least 6000 years, Aloe Vera was therapeutically used to treat skin disorders, constipation and burns. Ancient Egyptian culture and subsequent cultures treasured this “Plant of Immortality” for its nourishing and medicinal benefits. This highly regarded plant was believed to hold the secrets for ultimate youth, beauty and immortality and was often presented as a burial gift to deceased Pharaohs.

Aloe was regarded as a sacred plant the “blood” of which held the secrets to beauty, health and immortality. Both Cleopatra and Nofretete greatly valued the nourishing juice and used it as a part of their daily skin and beauty care.

Today, it is still highly regarded for its soothing properties, antioxidant qualities and moisturization. It is typically known for its ability treat a sunburn when you skimped on sun protection (by accident of course!) and for treating conditions like acne, psoriasis and minor cuts.

What is Aloe Vera?

Over 300 species of aloe plants grow worldwide in tropical climates. The most well known in the health and beauty world is Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis), a spikey succulent whose leaves contain a gel-like substance.

Aloe vera’s inner gel is a water-soluble ingredient, made up of over 95% water, with the remaining 5% being healthy enzymes. It is rich in active components like vitamins, minerals (i.e. magnesium and zinc), amino acids, antioxidant compounds and fatty acids. It also contains Vitamins B12, C, A, E and choline. With incredible ingredients like this it is not difficult to see why it has been dubbed the Elixir of Youth.

Skincare with Aloe Vera: Benefits

Aloe Vera offers soothing, anti-inflammatory and protective qualities for all skin types: dry, sensitive, irritation, oily or environmentally stressed. It offers a plethora of other benefits for skin that range from hydration, antibacterial, healing, pore shrinking, reducing puffiness and dark circles.

Skin experts have noted some of the main benefits of having Aloe Vera in skincare products:

Nature’s Antiaging Genius

The books of Ayurveda highlight how valuable this miracle plant was for healing skin problems, such as eczema and various skin diseases due to its ability to stimulate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production and wound healing.

Aloe is highly concentrated with Vitamins C+E and beta-carotene, which are key to boosting skin cell production and stopping premature aging.

Takes antiaging to the next level. Aloe protects skin after it has been damaged (ie sunburn), suppressing the negative aging effects of UV damage.

Aloe Vera provides a natural barrier to protect skin cells and moisturize. It receives and absorbs into skin up to four times faster than water and accelerates collagen production, improving elasticity.

Prevention. Aloe can help prevent wrinkles from settling into skin and from fine lines from getting deeper.

“The primary reason wrinkles appear is due to a lack of skin elasticity. This allows the skin to sag, which gives the appearance of micro folds.”

Moisturizing

If dry skin is your problem, skincare containing Aloe Vera can be your best friend! Long chains of its sugar molecules, called mucopolysaccharides, have excellent water-binding and skin moisturizing capabilities. It is also an ideal ingredient for oily skin because of its easy absorption.

Aloe is not a stand-alone moisturizer and is best as a skincare ingredient. Its nutrients moisturize skin but works best when paired with emollients or humectants to bind and retain the moisture.

Combat Skin Conditions

Aloe Vera can help alleviate symptoms for eczema, psoriasis and inflammatory acne such as itchiness, dryness and inflammation. It also reduces the conditions from becoming infected. Aloe Vera is a natural antibacterial moisturizer than has the potential to heal, soothe and hydrate skin.

Protective Properties

Aloe is a powerful antioxidant that scavenge free radicals, unstable atoms that break down and damage skin cells. Aloe effectively prevents UV-induced suppression if skin has been sun damaged. It can help protect from the damaging effects and slow down skin’s aging process.

Reduce Inflammation

Aloe is a good ingredient choice for inflamed or sensitive skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties naturally soothe skin and calm signs of irritation. It helps to reduce inflammation, prevent skin infections and keep skin hydrated.

Studies have shown that inflammation negatively affects skin damage, accelerating premature aging. It destroys elastin and collagen, which promotes skin sagging and creates skin folds (ie wrinkles and fine lines).

Combat Acne

Aloe Vera’s antimicrobial properties can gently calm surface acne. Its antiseptic properties provide protection from bacteria that could cause future breakouts. It has light astringent properties that can flush out excess sebum, dirt and debris that can clog pores.

Lighten dark spots

There has been scientific evidence suggesting that Aloe can lighten the appearance of UV-induced pigmentation, dark spots and acne scars when applied topically. Its components, aloin and aloesin, combat melanin cells and help protect skin from further formation of melanin.

Skincare with Aloe Vera: Let’s do a Patch Test

Aloe vera is considered a safe and effective ingredient to apply topically but currently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate Aloe Vera or other natural products. They only stipulate that skincare products are safe to use as indicated by the company. Therefore, it is up you, as the consumer, to research companies you purchase from. Learn about what ingredients suit your skin best and understand how to use Aloe Vera safely.