Working for different reasons on the body, aloe vera is a known medicinal plant to treat these conditions, whether health or beauty-related. If you wondering what are the benefits of aloe vera, and how wide does it span – you should know, it is much more than you think.
As one of the most versatile natural components that fit into any treatment for the body, it is widely sought after.
Whether processed, refined, or natural, you can get great benefits from the product. If you want to know what the benefits of aloe vera are and how to use it, this article is for you.
What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant mostly used for hydrating and anti-inflammatory purposes. Belonging to the plant family of Asphodelaceae, the plant contains gel, which is 99% water rich in vitamins (A, C, and E), minerals, enzymes, fatty acids, and glucose.
It is usually found in dry regions. Northern Africa, desert areas in America, Asia, and dry regions in Europe grow this green plant in abundance.
Due to its high water content, the plant is a staple product in the skincare industry. It is an ingredient used to provide the skin with moisture and soothing relief.
SEE: How to Remove That Pesky Acne Scar Starting With These Helpful Hacks
What Are the Benefits of Aloe Vera for Face?
1. Hydrating properties
Aloe vera contains enough hydrating properties to keep your face supple, especially if you are dry-skinned. The natural plant is a humectant that draws moisture from its surroundings, keeping your skin in a soft-textured state.
Consequently, your skin remains relaxed, vibrant, and youthful-looking when you use aloe vera on it.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties
Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the skin. The gel helps to reduce the free radicals on the skin or forms of irritation.
3. Helps with acne
Because aloe vera plant and gel are specifically rich in anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with soothing acne breakouts on the skin. The skin becomes relieved when aloe vera gel is applied. You can apply the gel directly to the skin at least twice a day for better results.
4. Treats burns
For light skin, chemicals, or sunburn, aloe vera gel treats the skin by soothing it. According to a study, the topical application of aloe vera can soothe burns on the face. However, it does not prevent it.
SEE: How to Effectively Use a Vitamin C Serum for Skincare
What Are the benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin?
You can also apply aloe vera to your skin. Just as it helps the face, aloe vera helps to keep the skin soft. These are the following benefits of aloe vera on the skin:
1. Treats skin conditions
According to research, aloe vera also helps to relieve eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. The gel contains anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe the skin, thereby treating atopic dermatitis on the skin.
SEE: Aloe Vera for Eczema: Benefits and Best Treatable Conditions
2. Treats cuts and wounds on the skin
Another benefit of aloe vera to the skin is to treat skin wounds. The gel is rich in anti-inflammatory properties such as magnesium lactate to boost the immune system.
Furthermore, the gel helps to stimulate collagen production. Consequently, increases the rate of new cell production, which helps the skin stay healed.
3. Reduces aging signs
As a collagen-boosting component, aloe vera helps to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Studies have found that the collagen boost, thanks to aloe vera, comparatively improves tissue cross-linking, which makes the skin firmer.
4. Moisturizes the skin
If you have dry skin, a moisturizer rich in aloe vera is a great choice. On the other hand, you can choose to use natural gel to provide enough hydration on the skin. This revives your dull skin.
5. Helps with stretch marks
Another benefit you can get from aloe gel is its stretch mark-reducing properties. According to a study, it was found that aloe vera effectively reduces the itching and spread of striae (stretch marks) on the abdomen.
What Are the Benefits of Aloe Vera for Hair?
For Aloe vera, the components also help to restore the hair strands and moisture balance. The following are the benefits you will gain from aloe vera:
1. Dandruff reduction
There are ample studies that prove that aloe vera is rich in anti-fungal properties that help to treat dandruff issues on the skin. Additionally, the gel prevents dandruff from spreading on the scalp.
SEE: Home Remedies + Tips for Faster Hair Growth
2. It helps in restoring weak hair strands
Aloe vera gel contains enough moisturizing properties to add shine to your dull dry hair strands. Furthermore, it also strengthens your hair strands, reducing the breakage on them. The treatment works to keep your scalp smooth and nourished, maintaining your strong hair.
3. Reduces breakage
Another benefit of using aloe vera on your hair is that it reduces breakage. Thanks to its moisturizing properties, the aloe vera plant provides enough nutrients to boost healthy hair, thereby reducing breakage in your scalp.
What Are the Benefits of Aloe Vera for Men?
Aloe vera plant is great for everyone. In addition, it has some specific benefits to men. The following are the benefits of aloe vera for men:
1. It reduces razor burn
It has been proven that aloe vera soothes your skin after a razor burn. Razor burn is also a type of burn the face experiences. Consequently, it helps to relieve the skin of the irritating effects of shaving cream or razors.
2. It is great for genital skin
A study shows that aloe vera gel helps the skin of the private area. It helps to soothe the irritation of the skin and treats sores and the herpes simplex virus most common in men.
What Are the Benefits of Aloe Vera for Health?
Aloe Juice is a common product got from the aloe vera plant. The juice also benefits the body and skin in several ways.
The following are the benefits of using aloe vera juice:
1. Aids digestion
When you drink aloe vera juice, antiinflammatory properties soothe your intestines, helping in the digestive process. Furthermore, stomach ulcers are reduced in the stomach lines.
2. Sugar level regulation
With aloe vera juice, your sugar level is controlled. According to a study, aloe vera juice helps to control the blood sugar of people in the early stages of diabetes (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes).
3. Reduces gum inflammation
Gargling aloe vera juice in your mouth every day would help to soothe your inflamed gum area. All you have to do is use it as you would a mouthwash, and over time, your gum stays bacteria-free.
SEE: Drinking Aloe Vera Benefits Your Body. Find Out How
Does Aloe Vera Have Side Effects?
Yes, aloe vera can have side effects on your skin hair, or body. For instance, drinking aloe vera juice can cause diarrhea. This is because it has a laxative effect on the body. As a result, your body could react to aloe vera with stomach discomfort.
In addition, aloe vera can irritate sensitive skin or allergic skin. Before applying aloe vera gel to your skin, a patch test in an inconspicuous area of your body (underarm for example). If it does not react after 48 hours, it is safe to use. However, once you site redness or irritation, do not use the gel.
When taken in high doses, aloe vera can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Consequently, it should not be ingested every day. Additionally, aloe vera also causes low potassium in the system when overdosed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat aloe vera raw?
Yes, you can. You can eat aloe vera gel or skin raw. However, be sure to separate the aloin (aloe latex) between the aloe vera skin and gel. The latex can upset your stomach or cause diarrhea.
Is aloe vera juice good for skin?
Yes, it is. Aloe vera juice is good for the skin. It performs the same functions as the gel form. That is, it reduces skin inflammation, treats skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and dryness.
Furthermore, it helps to stimulate skin cell reproduction by improving collagen production.
Can you use aloe vera every day?
Yes, you can. You can apply aloe vera on your face or skin or hair every day for best results. The properties of aloe vera are anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it soothes the skin.
However, do not overdose. Overdosing can be counterproductive on the skin. It can increase the very issues it sets out to treat.
Conclusion
Aloe vera is one of the natural plants beneficial in almost all areas of wellness. There are benefits of aloe vera when it comes to your face, skin, hair, body, and health.
You can use aloe vera to improve your skin moisture level, keep it glowing, and reduce the effects of environmental aggressors. Furthermore, it helps the skin reduce acne breakouts, which is one of the most common reasons people use aloe vera.
The benefits of aloe vera are countless; however, it can be counterproductive on the skin if overused or exposed to allergic skin.
As a result, patch test the aloe vera form on your skin before using. And if ingested and you show signs of diarrhea or upset stomach, do not ingest the aloe vera again.
Thanks for reading.
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