It is no secret that aloe vera is very beneficial for your skin. In fact the first record of aloe vera being used in a pharmaceutical manner was discovered in carvings made on clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia.
It is in ancient Egypt though, that we see the aloe vera plant being used as a treatment for skin conditions. In those times aloe vera was associated with purification and eternal life and was so revered that it was named ´the plant of immortality´.
This skin healing reputation of the aloe vera plant has persisted throughout history, in various cultures and indeed until this day in modern times.
What is aloe vera and why does it help your skin?
Although the aloe vera plant looks like a cactus because of its habitat and its thorny ridges, it is actually a succulent known for its thick fleshy leaves and a clear gel-like interior. The word aloe comes from the arabic word “Alloeh” which means bitter and shiny substance, while vera comes from the latin word meaning true.
The aloe vera plant stores water in its leaves and so it makes sense that water makes up around 99% of its interior gel composition, but it is in that little leftover percentage that there has, so far, been discovered 75 wonderful bioactive compounds, and in these compounds lies its magic.
What makes aloe vera so special?
Ale vera gel is rich in:
- Polysaccharides like acemannan
- Vitamins A,C,E, B12 and more
- Enzymes like amylase and lipase
- Minerals calcium, magnesium, zinc and more
- Amino Acids : contains 20 of the 22 required amino acids
- Saponins which are natural cleansing agents
- Sterols which have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects
What are the skincare benefits of aloe vera?
Aloe vera moisturises the skin
Due to its high water content, aloe vera provides deep hydration and it draws in moisture to the skin without leaving a greasy feeling.
Aloe vera soothes sunburn
Studies show that aloe vera is very cooling and with its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe sunburn, especially effective for first and second degree burns… perfect to use after a day at the beach.
Aloe vera exfoliates the skin
Natural enzymes in aloe vera means that it can help remove dead skin cells in a gentle manner and it can reveal a brighter, more even-toned skin. With an accelerated cell turnover, aloe vera can be helpful in fading minor blemishes.
Aloe vera stimulates collagen
By stimulating fibroblast activity, collagen and elastin are produced and that helps keep skin firm and youthful with consistent use.
Aloe has strong anti-oxidant power.
Aloe vera is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, E and beta-carotene which neutralize free radicals and help improve the skin’s elasticity hence reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory
Aloe vera contains a acemannan with its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects that can help reduce bacteria that cause acne. Furthermore, salicylic acid and sulphur can help unclog pores reduce breakouts.
Aloe vera is truly a multi-tasking ingredient with many benefits for the skin. Those with oily or acne-prone skin would benefit greatly from introducing aloe vera into their skincare regime.
The great thing about aloe vera is that it is also gentle enough for sensitive skin and those that suffer from rosacea.
If you are looking to calm skin inflammation, encourage skin healing or hydrate your skin deeply, aloe vera just might be the the glow-up your skin needs.
If you enjoy learning about natural ingredients you might like to read about shea butter.