Benefits of Aloe Vera on Skin

Introduction

Herbs are the best friends of a physician. The healing of wounds is a time-consuming biological process, and tissue recovery is also a complex process. Many herbs have found intensive use in the anti-inflammatory (relieve pain and reduce swelling and inflammation) process. One such herb is aloe vera.

Aloe Vera is a traditional medicinal plant used since 1500 BC in many countries, like Greece and China. It has also been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases and skin problems for centuries. Even some Egyptian queens have used Aloe Vera in their beauty regimes.

Skin lesions might occur due to burns, arterial diseases, surgery, and trauma. But wound healing is a three-phase process. In the first phase, inflammation and leukocyte infiltration occur. The second phase is cleaning and removing dead tissue; the third phase involves epithelial regeneration and new fibrous tissue formation. Much research on aloe vera has shown effectiveness in preventing and healing some skin problems.

How does the aloe vera anti-inflammatory protect and moisturise skin?

Aloe Vera has a significant impact on the prevention of ulcers. Aloe Vera contains mucopolysaccharides, amino acids, and zinc, which can help with skin integrity, wet-content/moisture retention, and minimisation of erythema. It also helps to prevent the skin from ulcers.

• Aloe Vera is famous for its essential properties, like anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, skin protection, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and other wound healing properties.
• Aloe Vera gel, when used as a moisturising gel, doesn't make a soapy film on the face or skin. Aloe Vera clears the pores and smooths the skin. Then, aloe vera gel can be used as an aftershave treatment, as it keeps the skin hydrated and heals burns due to razors and more minor cuts.
• Aloe Vera has an enzyme called bradykinase, which is used as the main component to reduce the signs of inflammation, like redness, pain, swelling, and heat, when the aloe gel is directly applied to the skin.
• Aloe Vera helps treat dry skin. Several studies have highlighted a compound named alprogen from aloe vera. This "alprogen" helps to treat allergies.
• Additionally, aloe vera has the property to inhibit thromboxane. Then, it improves the process of wound healing and also decreases inflammation.
• Aloe Vera effectively inhibits inflammatory reactions by decreasing leukocyte adhesion and TNF-alpha levels.

Why is Aloe Vera considered an anti-inflammatory?

Aloe Gel contains glycoproteins and polysaccharides other than 99% water. Glycoproteins speed up the healing process by reducing pain and inflammation. Polysaccharides boost skin growth and repair, along with their function of boosting the immune system.

Several studies have revealed that aloe vera can heal wounds like psoriasis, burn wounds, diabetes, mouth sores, ulcers, herpes, and bedsores.

Many clinical trials have shown aloe vera's ability to prevent and heal skin wounds, which has made it familiar among people, resulting in its widespread use in the cosmetic industry.

Aloe Gel enhances the immune system and cytokine synthesis. Cytokines are proteins that help maintain the growth of some immune system cells and blood cells.

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera is the most familiar succulent plant, having 420 different plant species. Aloe has been used in Indian medicine for the treatment of many conditions. The plant has gained immense popularity for its health, beauty, skincare, and medicinal properties.

Aloe Vera is a combination of two words: aloe and vera. Aloe comes from the Arabic word "Alloeh", which means a "shining bitter particle," while "Vera" is derived from the Latin word "Vera," which means "true." Many countries, like Egypt, Greece, Mexico, China, and Japan, have used Aloe Vera for centuries. In India, Aloe Vera has found a traditional use of removing evil eyes by inviting positive energies into space. The aloe vera plant belongs to the Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family and thrives in dry regions in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa.

Scientifically, it comes from the Liliaceae family and is very similar to cacti in structure. This is a herbaceous plant, a perennial type with fleshy, thick, and long leaves.

Benefits of Aloe Vera on Skin

Aloe Vera has several benefits you cannot bet on with other herbs.

1) Deeply moisturises the skin

Unlike regular, market-bought moisturisers, aloe vera gel can open the pores and soften the skin when used as a moisturising gel on the skin. If used after shaving, aloe vera gel maintains the hydration on the skin and treats the burns from razors.

Magnesium lactate in the gel reduces the histamine generation, which generally causes itching and irritates the skin. It helps to mitigate dry skin.

2) Heals the sunburn

The properties of the aloe vera gel include a cooling effect and anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, it serves as a natural remedy for burned skin. If you apply this gel, it forms a protective layer on your skin and also preserves moisture. The aloe gel's large amount of antioxidants and minerals speeds up the healing process. So, Aloe Vera could maintain your skin health during the summer.

3) Triggers healing process over wounds

Aloe Vera accelerates the healing of wounds by decreasing the healing time. The healing of the 1st- and 2nd-degree burns could be expedited if aloe is used. This helps in treating burns, severe cuts, and other injuries. The regeneration of the skin cells could be expedited as much as eight times upon using aloe vera. Aloe Vera can penetrate deep into the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) much faster than water.

4) Lightens facial blemishes

Aloe Vera is one of the traditional herbs in many regions, used for naturally treating acne and stretch marks on the face. It has the power to trigger the regeneration of skin cells. It minimises redness and fights effectively against skin inflammation.

Take the aloe gel and mix it with some lemon juice. If you use this mixture on the skin, it could lighten your age spots.

5) Reduces skin-ageing

Aloe Vera gel is the best cleanser for the skin because of its antiseptic action. It consists of vitamins C and E in larger quantities. Apart from that, it has beta-carotene. It contains soap-like contents such as saponins, which act as an antiseptic mediator. For such valid reasons, aloe gel is used as an anti-fogging gel. It removes skin blemishes and diminishes age lines.

As already mentioned above, it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This gel potentiates collagen production and skin elasticity in the body.

6) Decreases infection and acne

Youngsters suffering from acne will feel relief if they use Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera has abundant polysaccharides and gibberellins. These aid in the development of new cells and, at the same time, decrease swelling, inflammation, and redness.

It is beneficial for mild cleansing. Its antimicrobial properties heal pimples without causing any destruction to the skin. It is an antiseptic agent that permits protection against bacteria. Additionally, it works as an astringent that decreases the size of pores, clearing out additional microbes, sebum, and dirt.

How do you use Aloe Vera on your skin?

You can use Aloe Vera to treat your skin in several ways.

Method 1

Take exactly 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel (available on the market). Else: 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera pulp. Now, apply it to the face and neck directly.

Method 2

Collect Aloe Vera, raw honey, and sea salt as your ingredients. Now, mix two tablespoons of aloe vera pulp with some sea salt. Mix them well till they get blended thoroughly. Take a tablespoon of honey and add it to the mixture. Combine all these ingredients.

Use this mixture as a gentle scrub to peel the body and face. Then, rinse your body and face with warm water.

Method 3

Take the Aloe Vera gel and vitamin E capsule as the main ingredients. Gently break the vitamin E capsule and pour the tablet content into a bowl. Now, add one tablespoon of aloe vera gels to the bowl. Mix both of these evenly. Now, you can apply this mixture to the areas around your eyes. Leave this pack overnight. Make sure that you do not drop this mixture on your naked eyes.

Method 4

This method uses Aloe Vera, honey, and rosewater as ingredients. Mix one tablespoon of aloe vera, two tablespoons of rosewater, and one raw honey. Combine them well.

Apply this mixture as a face mask. Leave it undisturbed on your face for 15 -25 minutes. After that, wash your face slowly and gently with warm water. This treatment method could be used many times a week to heal acne problems.

Conclusion

Though the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera have profound use in the cosmetics industry, they still have disadvantages. Some research suggests that applying an aloe-based gel topically twice daily may improve acne. It is evident from many clinical tests that treatment with aloe vera helps to reduce pain from burns. Aloe is very effective for several different skin conditions.

However, some results report burning, itching, and eczema issues with the topical use of aloe gel. Oral use of aloe latex could lead to abdominal pain and cramps. Oral intake of aloe leaf extracts has been linked to many cases of acute hepatitis. Use aloe in gel and latex form, though it might be unsafe during pregnancy when taken through the mouth. In such cases, you can consult your doctor before using aloe vera. 

So, people are responsible for using aloe vera in a limited amount to cure their skin-related issues.

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