You don't have to be a skincare expert to know that Aloe Vera is amazing for the skin. You are probably familiar with some of the benefits it provides such as soothing sunburn & bringing back moisture to dry skin. What you may not know is that the benefits don't stop there.
The History of Aloe Vera? Did you know that there are over 300 species of Aloe?
A type of stemless succulent, aloe Vera grows naturally in dry tropical areas like Asia, Africa, and Europe as well as Southern and Western parts of the USA. The Aloe Vera plant typically produces pointed, fleshy green leave that grows 12 - 19 inches long. The outside of these leaves are smooth on the surface with spikes along the border. Inside you will find a slimy gel-like tissue that stores water. Centuries ago people realized the benefits of the juice and the gel found inside the aloe plant and they started using it as a natural remedy to treat everything from digestive issues to skin problems. In Ancient Egypt, Aloe Vera was known as the plant of immortality and was given to the pharaohs as a funeral gift. Aloe Vera came to be used in herbal remedies in Chinese, Indian, Mexican, and Native American cultures as well. Though you may only think of Aloe Vera as an ingredient in sunburn remedies, this plant is extensively used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. In fact, Aloe Vera has a global estimated annual market value of $13 Billion.
Aloe Vera in Skincare. There are two parts of the Aloe Plant that are medicinally useful - the gel and the latex. The gel is extracted from the leaves and contains most of the beneficial bioactive components including, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. The Aloe latex is the yellow pulp found just under the leaf's outer surface - it is most commonly used for its laxative properties. When it comes to health benefits Aloe Vera has been shown to provide digestive benefits including heartburn relief and relief of constipation. Ingesting Aloe Vera juice has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in type ll diabetics and may enhance insulin sensitivity. Most of the benefits associated with Aloe Vera however are skin-related.
In terms of skin benefits, Aloe Vera is known for keeping the skin hydrated and for providing soothing and cooling benefits. Aloe Vera is rich in several antioxidants including vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains seven of the eight essential amino acids. This powerful plant has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and when applied to the skin it acts as a natural exfoliant and may even help boost collagen production. Here are some of the additional skin-related benefits of Aloe Vera:
- Helps reduce irritation and may help with mild to moderate acne.
- Can help to fade acne scars & dark spots by stimulating collagen production in the skin.
- Cooling and soothing properties may help to relieve sunburn plain and speed of healing.
-Contains natural hydrating properties that moisturize dry skin.
- Natural antiviral benefits may help with the treatment of cold sores.
- Soothing and moisturizing effects may help relieve symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.
- Reduces inflammation and helps with the production of new skin cells to reduce puffiness.
- Salicylic acid content acts as a natural exfoliant to remove bacteria and dead skin cells.
- Completely natural and gentle for people with sensitive skin types and allergies.
The good news about Aloe Vera is that it is very easy to come by. You can grow the plant yourself and use the leaves directly by breaking them apart to extract the gel. In many cases, however, it's easier to purchase an over-the-counter Aloe Vera gel and skincare products that include Aloe Vera as an ingredient.
Tips for Using Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is safe and gentle on all skin types which makes it an excellent ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine. Due to its cooling and hydrating properties, it is a particularly beneficial addition to summer skincare - especially after sun care.
Here are some tips to incorporate Aloe Vera into your Skincare routine:
- Always test new skincare ingredients before proceeding with a full application - wait 24 hours for signs of a negative reaction.
- Look for daily moisturizers or gels for hydrating benefits.
- Apply a small amount of Aloe Vera gel directly to minor burns up to three times daily to remove pain and inflammation.
Try these Bay Skincare products with Aloe Vera:
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