What does aloe vera do for skin

   When you have a monster sunburn, the first thing you think of is rubbing Aloe Vera gel to soothe your scorched skin. Aloe Vera is a popular medicinal and cosmetic plant. Not only does this gooey superhero give you relief from sunburns, but it also helps in treating many skin conditions like frostbite, psoriasis, and cold sores.

You might have this thorny triangular green plant sitting in your backyard without knowing the many ways in which you can use the precious Aloe Vera plant for your face and skin. Don’t worry; we will be covering that for you in this article.

Due to its health, beauty, medicinal, and skincare properties, Aloe Vera has been regarded as “the universal panacea” by the Greek scientists and “the plant of immortality” by the Egyptians. Even though there is not much conclusive evidence on Aloe Vera’s efficacy, the biochemistry of the plant does contain anti-fungal, anti-viral, and cell regenerative properties.

The clear gel-like substance inside the leaves of the plant, popularly known as Aloe Vera gel, contains 75 potentially active constituents - vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids. (1)

What does aloe vera do for skin

Although this magical ingredient was discovered just a few decades ago, it has always been recorded in beauty books for centuries for its umpteen benefits. Oily, dry, or sensitive, it works wonders on any skin type and can rid almost all of your skin woes.

With all this hype around the plant, should you make the application of Aloe Vera on face a permanent fixture in your skincare regime? Well, while the research suggests that Vitamin A and E present in Aloe Vera gel make it a great addition to your skincare products arsenal. (2)

Benefits of Aloe Vera For Face

Read on to discover the many reasons to include Aloe Vera gel in your daily skincare regimen and get familiar with all the amazing benefits of Aloe Vera gel on the face. 

1. It Soothes Sunburns

Did you know Aloe Vera is also referred to as “burn plant” as it is so effective in soothing sunburns? Yes, Aloe Vera contains certain compounds called polysaccharides, which helps in encouraging skin repair and new skin cells to set up shop. It also contains a pain-relieving compound called carboxypeptidase, which gives us the soothing sensation we have every time we apply Aloe Vera.

Some peer-reviewed studies have shown that this thick gel filled in the leaves of Aloe Vera can help in healing first to second-degree burns, which include mild to moderate sunburns. 

The most recent studies have shown that aloin, which is responsible for the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties, helps in preventing the peeling that sometimes happens with sunburns.

If your face has visible signs of sun damage like mild sunburns, freckles or dark spots, apply Aloe Vera on face to get relief and manage symptoms.

2. It Moisturizes the Skin

Because Aloe Vera contains mostly (95%) of water, it hydrates the skin with no greasy feeling after application. Along with locking the moisture into the skin, Aloe Vera also acts as a glue, which makes the top layer of the skin cells stick together, which ultimately results in smoother and softer skin.

Even for sensitive and oily skin types, Aloe Vera has proved to be an excellent moisturizer. If you look for a light moisturizer for the dry winter months or summers, don’t forget to consider Aloe Vera. (4) 

Along with Aloe Vera, it also has other natural skin nourishing ingredients such as Coconut Milk, Sesame Oil, Costus, Cardamom and Olive Oil. It’s further enriched with the essential oils of Rose and Jasmine that give it a unique floral scent that calms the senses.

What does aloe vera do for skin

3. It Treats Mouth Sores

Aloe Vera can not only soothe sunburns but also help treat common oral conditions, including fever blisters and cold sores outside the mouth and canker sores (usually caused due to stress) in the mouth. It helps in treating the herpes virus, the underlying cause of cold sores. All you have to do is apply a small amount of the gel on the cold sore two times a day until the wound goes away. (7)

4. It Slows Down The Signs Of Ageing

As your skin ages, it starts to look more saggy, wrinkled and loses its elasticity. But don’t worry, Aloe Vera can help you deal with this problem. It retains the skin’s lost moisture and restores its radiance. Along with reducing visible wrinkles and fine lines on the face, Aloe Vera gel also helps in improving the elasticity of the skin and repairing skin cells. Thus, preventing premature aging of the skin. (8)

5. It Fights Acne and Fades Blemishes

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that Aloe Vera has, we can keep acne at bay. How? Aloe Vera prevents the bacteria which is responsible for the occurrence of acne. 

The salicylic acid in Aloe Vera helps in unclogging the pores, which is a great thing when you deal with pimples and blackheads. Aloe vera also helps in removing the pesky scars and fading the blemishes. (5) (6)

How to apply aloe vera gel on face for acne? Add 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil to freshly scooped out aloe vera gel and massage it into your skin.

What does aloe vera do for skin

6. It Helps In Relieving Skin Irritation

Aloe Vera is a super ingredient for sensitive skin. The cooling properties of the plant help in soothing redness, infection, rash, and itchiness. Acemannan compounds in Aloe Vera which contain anti-fungal properties, help treat inflammatory skin issues such as cysts and heat boils in summer. No wonder it is the must-have ingredient for skin care during summers.

However, note that proper studies are lacking to support its use over conventional treatments. Make sure you do a small patch test before treating the inflammatory skin, as aloe vera can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people.

7. It Cleanses The Skin

Did you know Aloe Vera has the ability to repair and recover your skin from the day behind you? That means it can treat your sunburns, acne scars, dark spots, and clear the build-up caused by exposure to pollution and dirt. Isn’t it amazing? By simply using a natural cleanser with Aloe Vera as one of the key ingredients, you can get all its cleansing benefits. 

One such natural face cleanser is Kama Ayurveda’s Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam. It has cold-pressed Aloe Vera Leaf Juice that provides intense hydration, while also controlling flaking, redness and tightness. Along with other skin calming and cleansing natural ingredients like Pure Sandalwood Oil and Calendula, it is perfect for cleansing delicate skin.

What does aloe vera do for skin
  1. 8. It Slightly Exfoliates the Skin

The salicylic acid in Aloe Vera gel can act as an exfoliator by gently sloughing off the dead skin cells. Lignin in Aloe Vera enhances the penetrative effect of other ingredients into the skin.

Now that you are convinced of the many benefits of Aloe Vera, the next step is to look at ways to include it in your skincare routine. Read on to know how to prepare simple homemade DIY face packs with the Aloe Vera gel to make the most out of its skin benefits. Here’s how you can use Aloe Vera for your face and get that flawless, smooth skin you dream of.

How To Use Aloe Vera For Face

Did you know, Aloe Vera, when used in conjunction with other ingredients rather than using it directly on the skin, can help treat various skin issues? Well, below are some of the best DIY Aloe Vera face pack recipes that can be easily made at home and are suitable for all skin types.

Aloe Vera Face Pack For Dry Skin

This DIY face pack helps in turning your dry and dull skin to a plump and supple one. All you have to do is mix Aloe Vera gel, honey, and cucumber. These three ingredients help in hydrating your skin, thus leaving it soft and smooth.

What You Need:

  • One tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
  • One sliced Cucumber
  • One tablespoon of Honey

What you have to do:

Blend the sliced cucumber. Add Aloe Vera gel and honey to the paste. Apply the mixture all over the face and neck and leave it on for 20 minutes. Later, rinse it off with lukewarm water. 

Aloe Vera Face Pack For Oily Skin

This Aloe Vera face pack helps you in zapping excess oil from the skin. It also helps in preventing acne.

What You Need:

  • Fresh Aloe Vera gel
  • 10 to 12 drops of tea tree oil

What You Have To Do:

Add tea tree oil to fresh Aloe Vera gel and whisk it into a smooth paste. Apply the mixture all over the face and leave it overnight. Rinse it off in the morning with lukewarm water. You can repeat this twice a week.

What does aloe vera do for skin

Aloe Vera Face Pack For Normal Or Sensitive Skin

This face mask helps in moisturizing and brightening your skin. It works for all skin types, especially for sensitive or normal skin types. It helps in relieving skin from rash and itchiness and improving skin elasticity.

What You Need:

  • One banana
  • Two tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel
  • Few drops of Rose Water

What You Have To Do:

Mash the banana into a bowl and add Aloe Vera gel and Rose Water to it. Make a paste and apply it on a damp face. Rinse it off when it dries and make sure you moisturize your skin after that.

Read - 18 Effective Ayurvedic Face Masks To Treat Your Skin

The Best Way To Use Aloe Vera On Face

Another way to incorporate Aloe Vera to your daily skincare regimen is to use skincare products that include Aloe Vera in them. If one of your hobbies is reading the backs of the products, then you probably have already known that Aloe Vera is in a lot of cleansers, moisturizers and night creams. Here are some Kama Ayurveda products that make using Aloe Vera a lot easier and safer.

Aloe Vera For Cleansing

Since cleansing is the first step to any typical skincare routine, it is always the best to use cleansing products that contain Aloe Vera in it. Aloe Vera can repair and recover skin from the day behind you. Therefore, if you have sunburns or acne scars or even you just got build up with a tough day of pollution, these Aloe Vera products are your best friends.

1. Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam

Kama Ayurveda’s Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam is perfect for delicate skin. It helps in removing excess oils and impurities without stripping away skin’s essential moisture. The cold-pressed Aloe Vera leaf juice in the foam controls flaking, redness, and tightness while providing intense hydration. 

Along with Aloe Vera, this product also contains pure sandalwood oil and naturally restorative Calendula, which helps in soothing sensitive and irritated skin and healing the damage caused by pollution and environmental irritants.

What does aloe vera do for skin

2. Himalayan Deodar Face Cleanser For Men

Himalayan Deodar Face Cleanser For Men From Kama Ayurveda is a soothing face wash that is filled with natural ingredients. Along with the goodness of Aloe Vera, which heals and smoothens the skin, this cleanser also contains purifying Cedar Wood extract that soothes and tones the skin.

The moisturizing jojoba oil in it helps in minimizing fine lines, promoting skin suppleness, and rejuvenation. The cooling vetiver root, antibacterial cumin seed extracts, toning lavender oil, and anti-inflammatory patchouli oil acts as natural astringents for perfectly cleansed, refreshed, and healthy skin.

What does aloe vera do for skin

3. Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser

Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser is a perfect hydrating face wash that gently and thoroughly cleans your skin and removes light makeup. The Aloe Vera juice and all the other natural ingredients present in the cleanser heals, smoothens, softens and rejuvenates the skin, minimizes fine lines, promotes skin suppleness. This cleanser helps in keeping the skin soft, young, and moisturized. 

What does aloe vera do for skin

Aloe Vera For Repairing The Skin

Aloe Vera may not be the first thing you turn to fix a bad break out or a dark spot. However, it should be on the radar for repairing your skin from damage. If Aloe Vera can heal sunburns and cold sore, why can’t it heal sunken eyes and blemishes? Here are some skin-repairing products that contain Aloe Vera in it.

1. Sensitive Skin day Cream

Kama Ayurveda’s Sensitive Skin Day Cream is the most comforting and therapeutic. It is ideal for sensitive skin plagued by painful swelling, dryness, stinging, and bouts of allergic reactions. As it contains Aloe Vera, this cream also acts as a daily moisturizer, which helps in strengthening the natural protective barrier of sensitive skin. 

What does aloe vera do for skin

2. Rejuvenating And Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream

Rejuvenating And Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream from Kama Ayurveda is a powerful Ayurveda based formula created from Aloe Vera and the finest of saffron from Kashmir. This night cream helps in lightening and brightening uneven skin, reducing dark circles and pigmentation marks while also repairing fine lines, age spots, and other signs of aging. Altogether, this Kama Ayurveda’s product is perfect leave-in night treatment for naturally radiant and youthful skin.

What does aloe vera do for skin

Aloe Vera For Skin

Not only for face, but Aloe Vera can also do wonders to your entire body. When applied all over the body, it protects your skin from the pollution while giving the moisture of Aloe Vera. It treats minor cuts, wounds, dry skin and severe burns too along with exfoliating, restoring, and providing constant impressive nutrition to the human skin.

How to use Aloe Vera for Skin?

Cut a piece of Aloe Vera leaf, cut out the thorns and squeeze out the gel to use on your skin. Alternatively, you can rub the gel-side of the leaf on the face. To get the best benefits of Aloe Vera for your skin on a daily basis, you can use natural products that contain Aloe Vera.

Aloe Vera For Hydrating

Since we already know that the most well-known property of Aloe Vera is that it works like wonders when it comes to hydrating the skin. It makes total sense to look for the moisturizers that contain Aloe Vera in it. 

1. Kokum And Almond Body Butter

Kokum and Almond Body Butter is enriching body butter made with 100% organic Aloe Vera juice, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and kokum butter. Rich in fiber, vitamin A, E and minerals, Aloe Vera in this moisturizer helps in relieving dryness, increasing the elasticity of the skin, regenerating skin cells and improving skin tone.

What does aloe vera do for skin

2. Shea Lotus Body Butter

The rich and creamy Shea Lotus Body Butter absorbs quickly into the skin, replenishes the body’s natural hydration levels, and enhances skin texture by softening and smoothening it. Aloe Vera in the moisturizer helps in maintaining the plumped up, youthful appearance of the skin by minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

What does aloe vera do for skin

3. Himalayan Deodar Body Moisturizer

Himalayan Deodar Body Moisturizer is a luxurious body moisturizer that is rich in Aloe Vera and free of sulfates (SLES), Paraben, and Petrochemicals. It acts as a natural skin conditioner and helps in brightening, refreshing, and nourishing skin. Thus leaving the skin soft, radiant, healthy, and toned.

4. Lavender Patchouli Body Moisturiser

Lavender Patchouli Body Moisturiser, infused with extracts of Aloe Vera, Sunflower, and Olive Oil, transforms dry skin by sealing in a rich blend of lipids and essential ingredients to nourish and nurture continually. The refreshing patchouli gives a well-hydrated, smooth, and comfortable skin by acting as a natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory activity.

Side Effects Of Aloe Vera

The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate any Aloe Vera products. They considered it safe when used as directed. So it is up to you to use the Aloe Vera safely. However, make sure you report to the doctor if at all you find any kind of adverse reactions.

Although rare, some people may have some allergic reactions like redness, swelling, or a rash to Aloe Vera. If such symptoms occur, stop using Aloe Vera immediately. Consult a doctor if you are worried about the signs. Also, never use Aloe Vera on the infected skin. Even though Aloe Vera gel has some microbial properties, it may disrupt the healing process making the infection worse.

If you aren’t allergic to Aloe Vera, trust me, it can do wonders on your skin. Just try and see the results yourself.

FAQ’s 

Is Aloe Vera good for face?

Aloe Vera contains enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins A and C which can treat burns, acne, dry skin and many other skin issues. It is highly inflammatory too. With all these benefits, Aloe Vera is definitely good for face. It’s suitable for all skin types so you can apply on sensitive skin as well.

How To Grow Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera as a succulent does best in dry conditions. Plant it in a regular potting soil that has been amended with building sand or additional perlite. You can also plant it in a cactus potting soil mixture. Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes as aloe vera plants cannot tolerate standing water.

How To Make Aloe Vera Gel At Home?

Take a leaf and cut off the ragged edges first. Then slide the knife right under the skin along the length of the leaf. Now, carefully with the help of a spoon, scoop out all the transparent gooey gel and collect it in a bowl. To preserve the gel for a longer period, add a few drops of grape seed extract or some essential oil.

Is Aloe Vera Useful For Face Pimples?

Yes, Aloe Vera is very useful for face pimples. Using Aloe Vera as a cleanser everyday can boost the blood flow in your skin and kill off harmful bacteria. You can also leave Aloe overnight to spot treat your acne breakout areas

Have more questions about incorporating Aloe Vera in your beauty regime? Feel free to book a free online consultation with our Ayurvedic beauty experts.

What does aloe vera do for skin

References:

  1. ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
  2. Aloe Vera Gel Research Review - https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2012-09/aloe-vera-gel-research-review
  3. Aloe Vera on skin - https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4024/e28c8f9fdad106b1de5627ef20ee5360928e.pdf
  4. In Vivo skin hydration and anti-erythema effects of Aloe vera, Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii gel materials after single and multiple applications - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4078333/
  5. Effect of Aloe vera topical gel combined with tretinoin in treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, prospective trial - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23336746
  6. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Aloe vera and its effectiveness in decontaminating gutta percha cones - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410334/
  7. Aloe Vera And Its Uses In Dentistry- A Review - http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:jop&volume=4&issue=3&article=001
  8. Aloe vera: Magic or myth - http://www.srmjrds.in/article.asp?issn=0976-433X;year=2013;volume=4;issue=3;spage=119;epage=124;aulast=Agarwal
  9. The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17499928
  10. Aloin Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis by Inhibiting the Activation of NF-κB - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017010/

Can we apply aloe vera on face daily?

It helps in moisturising, removing dead skin cells, treating acne, sunburn, etc. Can we apply aloe vera on the face daily? Yes. You can apply aloe vera gel daily on the face and even twice a day.

What benefits does aloe vera have on skin?

It contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is highly anti-inflammatory. It can help treat burns, acne and dry skin.” Chang added that when it comes to acne, Aloe Vera works best on superficial surface acne rather than cystic or deeper acne.

Does aloe vera make skin clear?

Aloe vera has antibacterial properties that can help control and reduce acne-causing bacteria. Two other ingredients that have been studied and found to have this same effect are cinnamon and honey. By combining all three for an at-home spa treatment, you'll be upping your chances at smooth skin that's acne-free.

Does aloe vera gel remove dark spots?

Aloe vera has been found to have many health benefits for the skin, from helping to heal wounds to moisturizing. There's a small amount of scientific evidence suggesting that applying aloe vera to your skin may help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmented areas, though it won't completely get rid of these darker spots.