Aloe Vera for Skin: Not Just For Sunburns

Skin Care

Aloe Vera, found growing wild around the world, is currently best known for its popularity as a houseplant and for being a great sunburn remedy. But the extensive benefits of this hardy plant have been recorded for thousands of years. Myriad cultures, including India, Greece, Egypt, Mexico, Japan, and China, discovered the benefits of Aloe Vera for health and in medicines, but also for the skin.

The abundance of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and salicylic and amino acids found in Aloe Vera is what ultimately makes it a great ingredient for skin care. These various compounds combine to create an all-natural treatment that moisturizes, is antiseptic, and reduces inflammation. It also helps to support the moisture barrier without potentially clogging pores, as well as helps to reduce redness.

Aloe Vera extract vs. gel

Fresh Aloe Vera gel comes straight from the plant: cut open one of the long, spiky leaves and you can squeeze the gel directly onto your skin. This is how it was used in the ancient days, as a soothing gel and natural medicine. While this is helpful if you have access to the plant itself, it’s not the most practical option for most people. Most drugstores carry some version of a bottled Aloe Vera gel, but these often contain fragrances and preservatives that may compromise its many benefits. The plant’s gel is mostly water, so Aloe Vera extract is dehydrated so that what’s left is a strong concentrate of all of those nutrients, amino acids, salicylic acids, and vitamins that provide skin care benefits. When Aloe Vera extract is present in skin care products like moisturizers, serums, and masks, the Aloe Vera extract amplifies the other ingredients.

3 benefits of adding Aloe Vera to your skin care ritual

No matter what your skin type is, Aloe Vera is one of the most universally beneficial ingredients. While there are many advantages to incorporation Aloe Vera, here are some of the most enticing.

1. Helps to heal acne and reduces redness and irritation

Thanks to the presence of Salicylic Acid, Aloe Vera can gently help clear up acne and prevent further breakouts, without the harshness and skin-stripping side effects that many acne treatments incur. In addition, just like a sunburn, Aloe Vera reduces inflammation and redness thanks to the regenerative properties of its many other ingredients. It also helps promote skin cell turnover.

2. Provides lightweight moisturization

Because the gel from the plant is almost entirely water, Aloe Vera helps the deeper layers of the skin retain their own natural hydration. This helps the upper layers maintain the moisture barrier without adding any extra oil or grease. And because this natural moisturizer is so lightweight, it can be used on its own or in combination with other ingredients depending on your skin’s specific needs.

3. Reduces signs of premature aging

Another advantage of Aloe Vera extract is that ingredients like Vitamin C and E increase elasticity by promoting collagen production. The results are fewer fine lines and softer, more supple skin. Another benefit of Aloe Vera is that it also helps fade dark spots that may have come from acne scars or old sun damage.

Best ways to use Aloe Vera on your skin

If you’re ready to try incorporating Aloe Vera into your skin care routine, there are a few different ways to try it out.

As a spot treatment

If you’re experiencing a breakout, look for acne treatment products that include Aloe Vera. They can be used to target the areas of concern and gently heal the existing blemishes while preventing acne scars and further breakouts.

As a makeup remover

Aloe Vera helps to break down cosmetics and dirt, making it a great ingredient for makeup removers. One major benefit of Aloe Vera in makeup remover is that it is very mild, so it is gentle enough for the very delicate skin around the eyes.

As a remedy for skin irritations

As an anti-inflammatory, Aloe Vera soothes skin woes like eczema, rosacea, and burns. When applied to the skin, Aloe Vera immediately gets to work penetrating the deeper layers of the skin to provide hydration and speed up skin cell turnover.

Opt for natural and quality skin care products with Aloe Vera

Given all of its benefits, adding Aloe Vera to your skin care ritual is a no-brainer. Figuring out the best way to incorporate it, however, isn’t necessarily as obvious. Finding brands you trust that carry products with Aloe Vera in it is key. As mentioned earlier, just because a product contains Aloe Vera doesn’t mean the other ingredients are also helpful to your skin. Our Purifying Oil Cleanser uses only natural ingredients, including Aloe Vera extract, to gently remove makeup and dirt from the skin’s surface while soothing redness and providing moisture at the same time.