11 Astounding Benefits of Aloe for Skin

The aloe vera plant is wonderful. If you have ever experienced a bad sunburn, chances are that you soothed that sunburn with a product containing aloe vera gel — and felt much better afterward.

You are not alone. Many people use aloe for skin, and for other uses, too.

Read on to find out all about aloe vera and the many great applications of aloe for skin.

Aloe Vera History

People have been using the aloe vera plant for a number of uses for thousands of years. Aloe vera gel appears in many products today, but its historical uses are well-documented.

The ancient Chinese and Egyptians used it to treat burns and reduce fever. The ancient Greeks and Romans used the aloe vera plant to treat wounds, and in the Middle Ages, people used it as a laxative.

Today, people primarily use aloe for skin issues, but there are other uses, too.

Many indoor and outdoor plant enthusiasts use the aloe vera plant as a decorative plant. The aloe vera plant is native to tropical areas of southern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and islands in the South Pacific. They are easy to grow and with proper care, they can thrive almost anywhere.

Aloe juice has become popular in recent years as well.

Some people enjoy this beverage and believe it offers immense health benefits. It is made by crushing the entire leave and squeezing the liquid out of it. That liquid is then filtered and purified before consumption.

Some people choose to drink the aloe juice by itself, but others enjoy mixing it into smoothies and other drinks. People who drink aloe juice do so for benefits such as hydration, balanced alkalinity, improved liver function, digestive benefits, an overall nutrition boost, and more. 

Eleven Amazing Benefits of Aloe for Skin

Aloe vera is most widely used for skin and with good reason. It is very effective in repairing and soothing skin. With so many different uses for aloe vera, it's a good idea to always have some on hand at home — and when you travel, too.

Read on to learn about the many great uses of aloe vera for your skin. Some of these ideas are likely familiar to you, but others may be new ideas that you hadn't thought of before.

1. Soothe Sunburn

The most popular and well-known use for aloe for skin is sunburn treatment. Although some people think aloe can be used as sunscreen, this is false and trying it is a bad idea.

However, if you get too much sun at the beach or pool one day, aloe vera gel is just what you need to feel better. Not only does aloe vera gel contain compounds called polysaccharides that help skin repair itself, but it also contains carboxypeptidase.

Carboxypeptidase is a mild pain reliever which adds to the soothing action of this substance.

2. Relieve Itchy Skin

Whether you have an actual skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, or if you just have dry skin in the wintertime, aloe vera gel can be a big help to you. Chemical compounds such as acemannan, found in aloe vera gel, help to bring down inflammation and stop the itching and irritation. 

If you reapply often, you may even be able to get the irritation to subside for quite a while.

3. Moisturize

Aloe vera gel is more water than anything else, but the gel factor helps with the delivery of moisture when trying to moisturize your skin.

Not only will it help you to get moisture into your pores, but it will also make your skin softer and more prepared to accept the moisture on future applications.

4. Cultivate Youthful-Looking Skin

Furthermore, that moisture will help your skin to stay elastic and young-looking.

Aloe also stimulates the activity of fibroblasts, which results in greater collagen production. Vitamins in aloe vera gel are also a boost to your facial skin health.

5. Treat Cold Sores

Most people don't know that you can treat cold sores with aloe vera gel, too.

These pesky, reoccurring marks are unsightly and those afflicted want to get rid of them fast. The antiseptic properties of aloe vera gel help to fight bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and will also help to speed up the healing process.

6. Prevent Uneven Coloring

Putting aloe vera gel on your face on a regular basis may help you to avoid dark spots and skin discoloration. Tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for skin darkening, cannot do what it does with aloe vera gel in the way. It stops it in its tracks.

Also, antioxidants found in aloe vera can help remove dark spots that have already happened in some cases. It's certainly worth a try.

7. Fight Acne

Almost any commercial acne remedy contains salicylic acid. This chemical is a mild, natural exfoliant that helps to remove blockage from pores.

Aloe vera contains salicylic acid, too.

Getting into the habit of putting aloe vera on your face each day will result in a variety of long-lasting, visible benefits for you.

8. Gentle Exfoliation

This salicylic acid doesn't just work on your face, though.

Application of aloe vera gel to your whole body will allow your arms, legs, chest, back, and abdomen to benefit from aloe vera's wonderful exfoliant properties as well, leaving with you smoother and softer skin. 

9. Heal Cuts

Just as many ancient cultures once did, you can use aloe vera gel to help heal wounds on your body.

The chemicals and molecular structure of this substance not only aids in healing, but it can help to minimize scars as well. Apply several times a day for best results.

10. Soothe Abrasions

Scrapes can often hurt even more than simple cuts. Aloe vera gel is great for these, too.

The cooling, soothing properties of this plant's gel will promote healing on these injuries while helping to relieve the burning sensation that often comes along with them.

11. Scar Treatment

If you have some nasty old scars that just won't fade, try a regimen of aloe vera gel on them. The antioxidants in the gel help to promote new skin growth fast.

Aloe Vera Is Amazing

Whether you use aloe for skin or in some other way, it seems that the benefits of this incredible plant are numerous enough to take notice.

This plant has been helping humans for thousands of years and it belongs in every medicine cabinet. If you haven't used aloe before, it's time to start. You'll be happy with what it can do for you.

If you're looking for great, natural skin care products with aloe, stop by our shop.