Aloe vera on the skin, is it a dream come true all in one natural solution for your skin problems, or is it just another beauty industry gimmick to push you into buying more plant-based beauty products?
Benefits of Aloe Vera on the Skin
Aloe Vera is native to Arabia and we all know how beautiful and exotic middle eastern women look. Pure aloe vera for the face has been their beauty secret for centuries and the world is picking up in the 21st century. But are they really the solution for every skin problem? Here are 8 Popular aloe vera benefits for skin decoded.
#Can Aloe Vera Act as a Skin Toner?
Toners are used to hydrate the skin. They have become a beauty essential given the rising climate and excessive use of air-conditioners. Aloe vera is a cactus and it holds most of the moisture in to survive the drastic heat. Thus, aloe’s sticky gel is known to hydrate the skin and can be used as a toner. Now, you may think why aren’t other cactuses used, aloe veras are easy to grow and harvest on a large scale in comparison.
Does Aloe Vera Whiten Skin?
- A. Yes, Immediately
- B. Yes, After Several Years
- C. Yes, After Several Months
- D. No
#Does Aloe Vera Have Anti-aging Properties?
Collagen is a high-protein ingredient that forms a major part of the human skin and bone. Collagen helps in keeping the skin tight and wrinkle-free. Aloes contain a molecule named sterols that can promote collagen. Therefore, aloe vera can be consumed or applied to the skin to promote collagen production.
#Can Aloe Vera Get Rid of Stretch Marks?
Will stretch marks disappear? No, stretch marks may fade but they won’t completely disappear. Aloe vera has antibacterial and soothing properties. Its anti-oxidative property helps in reducing inflammation and speeds up the fading but the stretch marks won’t go away completely.
#Is Lightening Skin Tone Possible with Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is loaded with Vitamin C that is known to act as a bleaching agent but its effect is not as strong as portrayed. It may take months to a few years of constant use before you can find a noticeable change in the skin tone. Not all hope is lost, your skin will appear more clean and clear after a few uses though.
#Can Aloe Vera Get Rid of Acne?
Anthraquinones are found naturally in the plant and are known to be anti-bacterial. Aloe Vera contains polyphenols and bioactive compounds making it double as an antiseptic and antiviral medication. Hence, pure aloe vera gel directly from the plant can be used to soothe herpes, hemorrhoids, reduce acne and blemishes, and prevent new ones from coming up.
#Is Aloe Vera a Natural Sunscreen and Conditioner?
We have already established aloe vera as a cactus found in the deserts of Arabia. The plant by origin is exposed to strong and harmful UV Rays, while its skin and can get spotted, dried, and change colors, the plant stays intact on the inside. Thus, Aloe vera can be used as a sunscreen or for treating sunburns and as a hair conditioner.
#How to Promote Hair Growth with Aloe Vera?
There is no evidence showing that aloe vera can promote hair growth! Its antifungal properties can reduce psoriasis or dandruff while the minerals and vitamins present in it can be used to reduce hair-fall but growing new ones is impossible. Depending on the reason behind your hair-fall, aloe vera gel can be used as a stand-alone product or can be coupled with olive, onion, or other oils.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Aloe Vera?
Since aloe vera is a tropical plant, most Americans rely on bottled aloe vera over natural aloe extract for their aloe skincare regime. But these store-bought aloe gel products are not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, stop using it if you face any adverse reaction.
If you get access to the real gel right off the plant then be sure it’s free of the yellow gooey substance. Aloe vera plants have yellow latex substances that can irritate the skin and create intestinal pain if ingested.
How to Use Aloe Vera on Your Face?
You can apply an aloe vera face mask or pure aloe vera gel for the face and leave it on as long as you want. You can also mix it up with lemon, honey, curd, olive oil, or any other home remedy ingredient into your aloe skincare routine.