Aloe vera, botanically known as Aloe barbadensis miller, is a short-stemmed plant with leaves that contains water. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family. It has been said to possesses many health benefits. However, in this blog post, we will be discussing the health benefits of aloe vera to skin health.
Aloe Vera is a perennial plant that originates from the Arabian Peninsula and grows in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and America.
Over the years, Aloe vera has been cultivated for many purposes. It is cultivated for commercial products, including beverages, skin lotion, cosmetics, and ointments.
It is also cultivated for decorative purposes, but most importantly, it has been used for medicinal purposes and treatments for a long time.
Aloe Vera has a lot of health benefits for humans. In this article, we will discuss the health benefits of aloe vera to the skin.
Nutritional Components Of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains Vitamin A, C, and E, which are oxidants that neutralize free radicals. It also contains minerals (calcium, chromium, zinc, manganese, magnesium, sodium, and copper) that are necessary for enzyme systems’ proper functioning.
Aloe is rich in enzymes that help reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin and also aids in the breakdown of sugars and fats. It also contains auxins and gibberellins, which help wounds heal faster.
Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera To The Skin
Aloe vera is a common household plant known for its skincare properties. The nutrients in the plant have essential benefits to the skin. Hence, here are the health benefits of aloe vera to skin health.
1. Moisturizes the skin
Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer that contains hydrating properties and absorbs into the skin because of its light texture.
The leaf of the aloe vera plant is rich in water, so it helps to hydrate the skin and retain moisture. It also contains sugars that help to retain moisture in the skin.
A 2016 study suggested that Aloe vera is a natural, effective ingredient for improving skin hydration and also retaining moisture in the skin.
2. Helps soothe sun-burned skin
Aloe vera soothes sun-burnt skin by increasing collagen synthesis. It also contains compounds called aloin and anthraquinones, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits that can help reduce pain and speed up healing.
A study showed that aloin, a compound found in the aloe plant, has anti-inflammatory properties that aid in the skin-healing process.
3. Fights against infections and acne
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid and urea nitrogen, which fight against the growth of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. It also has anti-inflammatory capabilities, which suppress acne.
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid, which removes dead cells from the skin and decreases inflammation. It helps in gentle cleansing, and its antimicrobial properties treat pimples without causing any damage to the skin.
A study showed that the use of aloe vera in combination with tretinoin is effective in treating inflammatory and noninflammatory acne.
4. Contains anti-aging agents
Aloe vera contains sterols that promote the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture making wrinkles less noticeable.
Aloe vera contains vitamin C and E, which are beta-carotene. Therefore, it has anti-aging properties. A 2015 study suggested that aloe vera reduces facial wrinkles and also stimulates collagen and hyaluronic acid production.
5. Possesses anti-inflammatory properties
Plants with anti-inflammatory properties might help boost skin health and treat inflammatory diseases on the skin.
Aloe vera can serve as a topical remedy to help reduce pain and swelling of chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as inflammatory acne and eczema.
Side Effects Of Aloe Vera On The Skin
There are also some potential side effects of using aloe vera on the skin.
Aloe vera may reduce your skin’s natural ability to heal from deep surgical wounds.
It should not be used on infected skin because it has a protective layer which can affect the healing process and make an infection worse.
Aloe vera should not also be applied to severe burns.
Always consult with your doctor or a certified dermatologist before using aloe vera on your skin.
Bottom Line
Aloe vera is used as a medicinal plant. There are a few health benefits of aloe vera to the skin. It contains a lot of nutrients and components that are beneficial to the human skin, as discussed in the article. However, it also has some side effects. It is advisable to contact a dermatologist before applying Aloe vera to your skin.
