Benefits of aloe vera on the skin and face
Aloe vera is a common household plant known for its skin healing properties. Using aloe vera on the face can help moisturize skin.
Aloe vera is a cactus-like plant that grows in desert regions around the world. Its leaves produce a gel that is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B12. Very common here in Florida!
Using aloe vera on the face has benefits because:
- its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce pain, swelling, and soreness of wounds or injuries
- it supports the production and release of collagen
- it can speed up wound healing time and limits scarring
- it reduces the healing time of first-degree and second-degree burns
- it is effective in treating fungal and bacterial infectionsTrusted Source
- it has an antioxidant effect that can help repair sun damage and slow down the aging process of the skin
- it protects the skin from the damaging effects of radiation therapy
- it contains 98% water, which helps moisturize, soothe, and hydrate the skin
- it helps to make the skin more flexible and supple, rather than stiff and leathery
- It has a cooling effect on rashes or sunburns
What conditions it can treat
People have used aloe vera for centuries as a treatment for various types of skin disorders and injuries. Some of these conditions include:
- acne
- sunburn pain and swelling
- minor burns
- cuts or skin wounds
- fungal infections, such as ringworm and tinea versicolor
- eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- rosacea
- sun or chemically damaged skin/wrinkles
- bug bites
How to use
When buying an aloe vera product, avoid products with added ingredients, such as alcohol or other chemicals. These can have harmful effects on the skin.
The easiest way for a person to obtain fresh aloe vera gel is to keep a plant in the house. Aloe vera plants are often available from local garden stores or online.
There are 420 different plant species of aloe. Most aloe-based products contain gel from the Aloe barbadensis miller plant.
Follow these steps to extract the raw aloe gel from the plant’s leaves:
- use a sharp knife to cut off a leaf from the plant as near to the root as possible
- rinse the leaf and lightly pat dry
- place the cut side down in a bowl and leave it for about 15 minutes to allow the yellow aloe vera latex to drain out and discard it — this has laxative properties and may not suit everybody
- cut the narrow pointed end off from the top of the leaf
- drain the latex again if necessary
- press the leaf to help it soften
- cut the ‘spines’ off both sides of the plant as close to the edge as possible
- lay the leaf flat and slice it down the center from tip to tip, or for bigger leaves, cut the outer green layer off
- gently scoop out the gel using a spoon or knife blade — very large aloe leaves may contain solid blocks of gel
- wash the gel carefully to clean it of any residue
- place the gel in a sealable container and refrigerate before use store the container of gel in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze the aloe vera gel in ice cube trays
Always do an allergy patch test before applying aloe vera to the face. Apply a small amount of gel to the inside of the wrist to check for a reaction. Wait 24 hours. If the skin starts to itch, swell, or change color do not apply aloe vera to the face.
Anyone with concerns about using aloe vera as an alternative treatment for skin conditions should speak to a doctor.
Anecdotal evidence provides the following tips for how to use aloe vera: skin toner, face wash, minor burns, acne spots and rosacea, antifungal treatment, moisturizer, helps eczema, sun burns, minor wounds and cuts and insect bites.
