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  Is aloe vera really good for my skin?

  May 4, 2022

  You may have heard of aloe vera or seen products in the store with the name aloe vera on them or in the ingredient list. But what is aloe vera and what is it used for? Since this is a skincare blog, you may also want to know if aloe vera is really good for your skin or if what you hear is just hype. 

  What is aloe vera? 

  Aloe vera is a succulent plant that grows in hot climates. Where I grew up on the islands, the aloe plant grew wild. When everything else was dry the aloe plant seemed to withstand the drought much better than most plants. Of course, since it is a succulent plant when there is more water, the leaves are fuller and when water is scarce, the leaves are flatter. Aloe is grown in some countries for commercial purposes due to its well-known role in nourishing and caring for skin. Traditionally, people have used aloe vera for skin ailments such as sunburns, wound care, and hair care, however, aloe has been and is being used as medicine for individuals with certain ailments.

  Growing up on the islands, it was not unusual for islanders to use aloe as a laxative. The aloe leaf rind has a very bitter latex that when ingested will send you to the bathroom. Although the latex was used as a laxative, it was used sparingly a few times a year. The most commonly used part of the plant is the inner gel. This gel is used on the skin, the hair, and internally for other health benefits.

  How does aloe benefit the skin?

  It is important to note that aloe has a variety of benefits for the skin. Many of these benefits are anecdotal, but aloe vera is one of the plants that have been studied extensively to determine its benefits. Aloe vera is rich in vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids. Due to its active components, aloe is considered antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  Aloe vera is also very emollient for the skin and so you will notice, that it is included in many products such as soaps and hand sanitizer, where extra moisture is needed to combat the naturally drying effects of the products.

  Because aloe is anti-inflammatory, it helps manage inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. Aloe is also anti-aging, and it protects the skin from UV damage. The use of aloe gel also speeds the healing of wounds whether used orally or topically. Aloe also has an antiseptic due to its contents such as lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols, and sulfur. This may be partially responsible for the way aloe improves the healing of the skin.

  Used internally, aloe also has health benefits. Your skin can reap the benefits of aloe topically, but the goodness of aloe will have a positive impact if taken internally. In recent years many people started using also vera to help treat and combat acid reflux.  In 2015 a randomized controlled study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of aloe juice in reducing symptoms of acid reflux and after 4 weeks it was determined that aloe vera was a safe and effective way to reduce the symptoms of GERD.

  So, although most of the good things you hear about aloe vera are anecdotal, keep in mind that there are studies that have established its value for skincare and certain diseases. Therefore my conclusion is that aloe being wonderful for your skin is more than just hype, it is truly beneficial. Next time you look at a skincare product and see aloe vera, know that it will be working to improve your skin's health. Aloe vera is not a newly discovered plant. It has been used for hundreds of years by many cultures for a variety of reasons and despite the passage of time, it has not faded into oblivion. It is tried and true skincare gold.

  A word of warning

  As with any product, you may experience allergies to the contents. Aloe vera is considered safe for most people but, some people can experience an allergic reaction. If you experience an allergic reaction to aloe vera, discontinue using it. Always do a patch test when you use a product for the first time, especially if you frequently experience skin sensitivities.

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  I would appreciate any comments or questions you have on this article. Thank you for reading, I hope I was able to shed some light on the topic for you.

   

  Tags: aloe vera skin benefits, is aloe good for skin, should I use aloe vera for my skin, aloe juice for acid reflux, Does aloe vera really work

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