Aloe Vera Skin Care
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Aloe Vera Skin Care - an Introduction
Many people use aloe vera skin care products and pure aloe gel with great results. Aloe vera has been found to help with many diverse skin complaints and other illnesses, and this lens takes a look at some of its skin-related uses.
What is Aloe Vera?
Info about the aloe vera plant
Aloe vera is an evergreen plant that has been used by many societies around the world for its health benefits for several millennia (find out more about the wide range of aloe vera health benefits). Aloe vera leaves contain a clear gel that possesses over 75 nutrients, which combine to give it powerful healing properties. The gel may be used externally on the skin, and taken internally. People using it have found relief from problems as diverse as acne, high blood pressure, sunburn, dental pain and IBS. There is even a Greek physician's record from ancient times which tells of using aloe vera for skin complaints. Today, scientific research on aloe vera is beginning to verify many of these old claims.
It may also be useful for preventative purposes, and some people take aloe vera capsules and other products as a general 'tonic' to help protect against illness and enhance existing good health.
Unlike many conventional medicines, aloe vera is relatively cheap (very cheap if you use the plant to make aloe vera remedies at home), safe (bad reactions are rare), and very easy to use - especially in capsule form.
Skin Problems Helped by Aloe Vera
Some of the skin complaints that aloe vera can relieve
In the west today, aloe vera is perhaps best known for its beneficial effect on the skin. It has been used for successfully treating the following ailments, among others:
- Acne and pimples
- Itching
- Sores
- Burns
- Sunburn
- Itching
- Eczema
- Pigmentation
- Psoriasis
- Warts
- Wrinkles and other signs of aging
- Minor wounds, scratches and cuts
- Swelling
- Bruises
- Boils
- Hives and other skin problems caused by allergies
- Insect bites
- Foot fungal infections
- Bedsores
- Corns
- Excess oil and dryness
What Does Aloe Vera Do For the Skin?
How it helps
Aloe vera boasts over 200 biologically active ingredients (and they're just the ones that have been discovered so far!), which, when applied to the skin, can have powerful healing properties. Aloe vera:
Studies on aloe vera have shown that it can aid in the healing of burns and wounds, and decrease redness and swelling. Creams containing aloe gel and aloe vera extract have also been found to be effective in treating frostbite and psoriasis respectively. There are no known side effects associated with using aloe vera topically, although it is always wide to do a patch test when applying any new substance to your skin, just in case.
- Is anti-inflammatory
- Is anti-bacterial - it is especially good for controlling the bacteria that cause acne
- Help the skin to hydrate itself
- Helps to remove dead skin cells
- May help to reduce scarring
- Helps beneficial substances to transport through the skin
- Helps to relieve pain from burns, cuts etc.
Studies on aloe vera have shown that it can aid in the healing of burns and wounds, and decrease redness and swelling. Creams containing aloe gel and aloe vera extract have also been found to be effective in treating frostbite and psoriasis respectively. There are no known side effects associated with using aloe vera topically, although it is always wide to do a patch test when applying any new substance to your skin, just in case.
The Best Aloe Vera Skin Care Products
What to look for
There is a wide range of aloe vera-based skincare products on the market today, and making specific recommendations is difficult, since each person has different needs. Here are some general things to bear in mind when choosing an aloe vera skincare product:
- Ensure that it's made with good quality aloe vera, and that it contains adequate concentrations to fulfil its claims. Many products don't actually contain enough aloe vera to have much effect!
- Organically produced ingredients are preferable
- Avoid products that are full of unnecessary preservatives, colourings, perfumes and other additives
- Look for product reviews online to see what others are saying
- Try a patch test first in case of bad reactions (adverse reactions to aloe vera are very rare, but sometimes other ingredients in aloe vera products can cause problems)
- Make your own - this is the best way to ensure that you are getting a quality a product, and can be quick and easy, especially if you just use the gel on its own
Make Your Own Aloe Vera Remedies
It's easy!
It's very easy to make your own simple aloe vera skin care recipes at home. You just need an aloe vera plant - these are cheap to buy and very easy to care for. Then when needed, remove a leaf, slice it open and remove the gel. The aloe gel can be applied to the skin as it is, or can be combined with herbs or other natural ingredients. Find out more about 150+ easy aloe vera recipes for skin care and other health and beauty treatments.
Aloe Vera Capsules = Healthy Skin From Within
Aloe capsules can give an easy boost to the skin
Aloe vera is not just used externally - it can also be taken internally, and in this way can be a powerful skin booster, as it supplies the body with a variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytonutrients and other beneficial substances that strengthen the immune system and promote health generally. Raw aloe gel has quite an unpleasant taste (and may occasionally lead to nausea), so aloe vera is usually taken in juice or capsule form - if you wish to try this, Aloeride® pure aloe vera capsules are recommended, as they're the only aloe vera capsules made to pharmaceutical standards, and are contain sufficient amounts of aloe vera's active ingredients to have a beneficial effect.
More Skin Care Tips
Aloe vera is a great aid in keeping your skin looking its best, but healthy skin is the sign of a hiealthy body, so it's important to pay attention to lifestyle if you want to achieve and maintain a youthful glow. Some simple ways to get great skin from within include:
- Drink plenty of water - at least two litres a day. Use water to quench your thirst rather than beverages such as tea, coffee, sugary and fizzy drinks and alcohol - these should be treats (if drunk at all), not staples
- Eat a healthy diet based on natural unprocessed foods - particularly fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, wholegrains, beans and pulses. Avoid foods that are made from refined flour and sugar, and filled with preservatives and other additives
- Eat enough fat - while it's important to avoid excess fat, and the wrongs kinds (such as trans-fats), too little fat in the diet will make your skin look dry and dull. Coconut oil is an excellent fat for cooking with, and other healthy fats include those found in avocados, oily fish, nuts and olive oil
- Exercise - as well as improving your general health and immunity, exercise carries oxygen to the skin, giving it a beautiful. Try to get outdoors for some fresh air each day too.
- Meditation and relaxation - stress can have a negative impact on skin health. Physical and mental health are closely related, and meditating or undertaking some other kind of relaxation-focused activity (such as yoga, self- hypnosis or simple relaxation exercises) can help to promote healthy skin by keeping stress levels down
- Keep the skin clean (a mild natural aloe vera soap or cleanser could be a good choice), but do not over-clean it. Don't overdo the skincare products and treatments either - healthy skin doesn't need truckloads of creams and potions to look good
- Use a sunblock, especially when in strong sunlight, to avoid sunburn and premature ageing. Aloe vera is also excellent for sunburn
- Supplement wisely - some people like to take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure they're getting the necessary nutrients which may be missing from some of today's foods, which are often over-processed and grown in nutrient-poor soils. Taking aloe vera capsules daily can also be a good way to take in a wide spectrum of nutrients, and to benefit from aloe vera's skin-beautifying and health-promoting properties on an ongoing basis.
Disclaimer - This information is not intended as medical advice. You should always do your own research, and obtain professional advice if you are ill.
More Aloe Vera Information
Additional info about aloe vera's skin & health benefits
by magna7
magna7
I love aloe vera - this fantastic plant has been used for healing purposes for millenia, and the range of aloe vera skin care benefits is very impress... more »
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