What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe is a genus that contains more than 500 species of flowering succulent plants. Many Aloes occur naturally in North Africa, but it’s become a common plant everywhere in the world, particularly in tropical and semi-tropical climates. Aloe vera is known for its thick, pointed, and fleshy green leaves, which may grow to about 12–19 inches (30–50 centimeters) in length. The leaves of Aloe vera are succulent, erect, and form a dense rosette. Each leaf contains a slimy tissue that stores water, and this makes the leaves thick. This water filled tissue is the “gel” that people associate with aloe vera products. It is best known for treating skin injuries, but it also has several other uses that could potentially benefit health. According to our dermatologist, there are 5 health skin benefits of aloe vera.
1. It helps soothe sunburn
When UV radiation damages molecules in the skin, the immune system tries to repair the damage by releasing inflammatory proteins. These increase the size of blood vessels around the affected, allowing more blood to enter. Chemical reactions lead to inflammation of the skin, causing damaged skin cells to peel away. Sunburn requires treatment and management. The skin must regrow and cure itself.
Aloe vera can help ease sunburn symptoms and reduce inflammation. Aloe vera contains 19 out of 20 known amino acids necessary for any organism. Amino acids soften hardened skin cells. Aloe vera also stimulates collagen production to improve elasticity and dryness within the skin. Aloe vera gel or juice is antibacterial and helps prevent peeling skin following over-exposure to the sun.
2. It helps speed up wound healing
Aloe vera gel not only increase the amount of collagen in wounds but also change the composition of collagen, increase collagen cross-linking and thereby promote wound healing. Scientific studies have shown that the aloe vera gel can increase the flexibility and reduce the fragility of the skin since 99% of the gel is water.
3. It helps moisturize your skin
Aloe vera gel is an effective moisturizer because of its hygroscopic properties. The aloe vera plant can survive in any climate even in hot temperatures because they can absorb and retain moisture from both the air and the water in the soil absorbed by its roots. Because of this, it has good moisture-retaining properties.
This is similar to the way commercial moisturizers work. Moisturizers supply water to the skin and have a greasy substance that holds the moisture in place.
However, unlike aloe vera gel, this greasy substance is often inorganic. It is also the reason why plenty of moisturizers leave a sticky after-feel as it dries. Some greasy substances can also block pores, leading to breakouts. Aloe vera gel, on the other hand, has no greasy substance required to lock in the moisture. This makes it preferred by those who don’t like that greasy feeling. And while some aloe vera moisturizing products may contain inorganic materials, it’s easy to obtain aloe vera plants and make your own 100 percent natural aloe vera moisturizing gel from the comfort of your home.
4. It is a great anti-aging ingredient
Aloe vera extract helps in naturally increasing the production of collagen in the body, which further helps in reducing the visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen helps in decreasing the wrinkles and helps in skin tightening. It also improves the elasticity of skin. What's more, apart from boosting collagen production in the body, it is also a powerhouse of several components, which improve the skin condition as well as the health condition. Aloe vera contains 18 amino acids, B1, B3, B6 and C vitamins that help to fight off free radicals that cause wrinkles.
5. It helps reduce acne
Aloe vera has been studied when used in conjunction with traditional anti-acne medication, and the results were promising. If your acne is mild to moderate, you may get the results that you’re looking for by using aloe vera all by itself.We know that aloe vera has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Therefore, by purchasing pure aloe vera and applying it generously to your face in place of a cleanser, you’ll be boosting the blood flow in your skin and killing off harmful bacteria. You can also spot-treat your acne breakout areas, leave the aloe on overnight, and wash it off in the morning to reduce redness and irritation.
Aloe vera is a popular vitamin-rich plant that has skin healing properties. Aloe vera is safe to use on the face for many skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea, or minor wounds. The use of topical aloe vera is likely to be safe, however, do an allergy test (apply a small circle on the skin and wait 24 hours) before using it more widely on your body.
Would you like to learn more? Because healthy skin matters! Skynfyx is run by a group of skin doctors and skincare experts who want everybody to achieve flawless skin at the cheapest possible cost. Skynfyx also can customize a skincare range just for your skin condition.
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