Aloe vera gel helps clear existing acne and fresh breakouts. The antibacterial and inflammatory properties of aloe vera are what makes it effective to treat acne. In fact, most medical studies report that a combination of aloe vera with other acne medications such as tretinoin cream effectively reduce acne lesions in people with mild to moderate acne.
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera is an herb in the succulent family which grows wild and has thick, serrated leaves. The gel inside aloe vera leaves is used topically to treat acne and soothe burned or irritated skin. There is also a theory that believes aloe vera taken orally can be beneficial for hydrating and healing your acne from within. However, there is less evidence to substantiate that idea.
What is acne?
Acne is a persistent swelling skin disease that affects almost all teenagers and can go on into adulthood. The human skin is typically covered by numerous pores, microscopic hair follicles which occasionally over generate cells and become blocked. Acne occurs when one of these skin pores gets blocked, resulting in skin oil building up within the pores. After a pore is clogged, bacteria start to develop and feed on the skin oil, and then start to increase.
The clogged pores which grow into acne can then be either non-inflammatory or inflammatory. Non- inflammatory acne is whereby the whiteheads and blackheads develop on the skin. In inflammatory skin acne, cysts, nodules, pustules and papules spread across the neck, face, chest, or face. These conditions make the skin swell and frequently painful with a burning sensation, and the patient might experience irritation than in non-inflammatory acne.
Is Aloe Vera Good For Acne?
The benefits of aloe vera use on acne
1. Its antibacterial properties are active in treating acne and decreasing the redness caused by it. It stops bacteria from contaminating acne wounds and speeds up the healing process. The antifungal properties are beneficial in tackling inflammation like boils and cysts on the skin.
2. Magnesium lactate in the aloe gel helps alleviate the itching sensation caused by acne and is also effective in treating rashes and sunburns.
3. The constrictive property of aloe removes excess oil and dirt from the skin to prevent more acne breakouts. It also decreases the size of inflamed nodules and cysts to relieve pain caused by the swelling.
4. Not just with acne, aloe gel also helps reduce acne scars by boosting skin regeneration. Anthraquinone present in aloe stimulates the skin and promotes cell development and restoration. This can be very helpful in removing these scars and making your skin radiant and flawless.
5. It also lightens the skin to reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes produced by acne and pimples.
6. Aloe vera has saponins like gibberellin, mannans, and polysaccharides which eliminate acne-causing microorganisms, including Propionibacterium that causes severe acne. It also contains salicylic acid, a compound which unclogs the pores and reduces acne, blackheads, and whiteheads from the skin. It additionally helps to regulate the pH balance of the skin.
7. Dirt accumulated in the skin blocks the pores, causing bacterial infection and blackheads. Regular use of this gel on the face tightens the pores, thereby, decreasing the exposure of pores to germs.
Uses of Aloe Vera for Acne
Aloe vera has been studied when used together with the usual anti-acne medication, and the outcome was promising. For those suffering from acne and have been searching for a gentle way to soothe your skin, try these remedies.There are various approaches you can use aloe vera to treat acne, but the basic one is as outlined below:
Step 1: Wash your face - Use acne-fighting face wash- before you apply aloe vera to the acne, it is essential to clean your face first. Despite your skin type, you have to wash your face and remove makeup, dead cells, and dirt to prevent breakouts. If you have a favorite face wash, use it.
Make sure you use warm water to scrub your face. Hot water can be too harsh for the skin. After washing and cleaning every region of your face, rinse your face.Allow your face to be dry. Use a freshly cleaned towel. Since towels are often covered with bacteria, you might want to allow excess water drip into the skin and let your face to air dry. Air drying might take long, to it is a great way to reduce breakouts, especially for sensitive skin.
Step 2: Apply aloe vera gel - Apply the aloe vera gel directly onto the acne. Use pure aloe vera gel. If you have a broken out region, rub the gel over the whole part of your face making sure that your hands are clean and that you do not touch the face as it dries. Note that aloe vera gel helps existing pimples and breakouts but does not help prevent a breakout. You will thus have to wash your face often to prevent acne from developing. Since aloe vera gel is calming and reduces redness and swelling, it is effective on cystic or any acne that is inflamed and red. If you are vulnerable to scarring, aloe vera is a great option.
Let the aloe vera gel sit on the skin so that it can soak overnight. Nevertheless, aloe vera gel is clear so you can rub it during the day. Remember to allow it rest for at least ten minutes or until it becomes dry before you wash it off. Do not apply makeup over aloe vera gel or any other face product.
Step 3: Wash off the aloe vera gel - Using a warm water rinse off the gel your skin and allow it to dry. Aloe vera should reduce swelling and acne appearance. If your acne was punctured in the past and was bleeding, aloe vera gel can heal and regenerate the skin.
Below are other ways you can use aloe vera to treat acne.
Using pure aloe vera topically
You can obtain the results that you want by using aloe vera alone. We know that it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It’s been used for years to cleanse wounds, soothe pain, and help heal burns. A few people are allergic to it, but applying it topically poses a low risk (as long as you’re not allergic to it).
How to use pure aloe vera?
By buying pure aloe vera and covering your face generously with it instead of a cleanser, you’ll be promoting the blood flow in your skin and eliminating bad bacteria. You can additionally spot-treat your acne breakout areas, leave the aloe vera on overnight, and rinse it off in the morning to lessen redness and inflammation.
Aloe vera, honey, and cinnamon facial mask
The antibacterial properties help control and reduce acne-causing bacteria. Two other constituents that have been studied and found to have this same impact are cinnamon and honey. By combining all three, you’ll be increasing your chances at smooth skin that’s acne-free.
How to use the aloe vera, honey, and cinnamon face mask
Begin with two tablespoons of pure honey and add in 1 tablespoon of pure aloe vera gel. It should be spreadable, but not runny. Add 1/4 tablespoon of ground cinnamon before putting the mask on your face, and relax while the mask works for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly after with clean water and pat your face dry.
Aloe vera and lemon juice face mask
This mask will give you a refreshed and energized look while it cleans your pores and eliminates some of the bacteria that might lead to acne. Some clinical trials have shown that fruit acids, like those in lemon juice, are effective cleansers for treating acne.
How to mix and apply the aloe vera and lemon juice face mask
Using pure aloe vera as the base, add about 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice to 2 tablespoons of aloe vera. If you need more, make sure you maintain a lemon juice to aloe vera ratio of about 8:1 so that you don’t irritate or overwhelm your skin with the acidity of the citrus fruit. Leave the mask on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off completely and patting the face dry.
Aloe vera antibacterial spray
Since it can stimulate healthy skin cell growth, it might be worth it to get or make your own cleansing aloe vera spray. This mist hydrates your face without causing shine or overproduction of oils, which clog your pores.
How to make and use the aloe vera antibacterial spray
Using a spray bottle, combine 35ml of purified water, 15ml. of aloe vera gel, and a couple of drops of your preferred non-toxic essential oil. Be sure to avoid your eyes when you spritz this cooling, acne-fighting mist on your face, and shake well before every use.
Aloe vera, sugar, and coconut oil face scrub
If you’re into natural remedies for acne, you might want to combine aloe vera with coconut oil and sugar for a DIY exfoliator. Exfoliating your skin sheds dead skin cells that can clog pores. Raw or white cane sugar can brush old cells away gently, making way for the aloe vera to permeate your skin and stimulate healthy skin growth. Coconut oil is also antibacterial, and it works as a natural emollient. The main acid component in coconut oil has been analyzed and found to be a promising acne therapy. Mixing these three ingredients could leave skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
How to mix and apply the aloe vera, sugar, and coconut oil scrub
Using coconut oil as your base, add in about 1/2 cup of oil to 1/2 cup of raw or sugar and mix well. Add in 1/4 cup of pure aloe gel for an exfoliating blend you can store in the fridge. Gently scrub the mixture on your face and avoid your eye area. Rinse thoroughly with water after using.
Aloe vera and tea tree oil facial cleanser
Tea tree oil has proven antibacterial and acne-fighting ingredient, combining it with aloe vera has the potential to give a visible benefit. This isn’t a mixture you should let sit on your face for too long, as tea tree oil is extremely potent and acidic.
How to make and use the aloe vera and tea tree oil cleanser
Using aloe as your base, add purified water and 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil before carefully using the mixture to your face. Rinse off after a minute and pat your face dry.
Aloe vera gel with turmeric for acne
This treatment increases the efficiency of aloe vera by adding some turmeric powder to it. Turmeric is a very popular and generally used antibiotic and antibacterial home product.
How to mix and apply the aloe turmeric mixture
Take some aloe vera gel, about 1/2 teaspoonfuls, and add two pinches of turmeric. Mix this well so that the ingredients get mixed up well. Apply this mixture over the pimples and leave it overnight and clean your face in the morning using a gentle face cleanser.
Aloe vera creams
A lot of the acne creams and over-the-counter treatment products have aloe vera in them. If you are not using products with aloe vera in them, you might want some to add to your beauty routine. Its anti-inflammatory capabilities make it a popular ingredient in commercial acne treatments.
The risks and complications of using aloe vera for treating acne
Some people advocate using aloe vera teas and aloe vera juice to resolve your acne, but there’s not much proof that it works. There’s some evidence that ingesting high levels of aloe can harm your body and put you at risk for certain types of cancer. Avoid drinking aloe vera in large quantities until more is known about the risks.
Aloe vera might also have adverse interactions with other drugs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Make sure you let your provider know that you’re taking aloe vera for acne if you do decide to try ingesting it. Before you use any substance on your face, perform a spot test on your wrist, or on your upper arm to examine your skin. If you have any reaction or redness after using aloe on your skin, don’t use aloe to treat your acne.
In conclusion : There are many ways to utilize aloe vera as an at-home treatment for your acne. It has been found to be an effective bacteria killer and acne treatment. With very little risk and high chances for success, most feel optimistic about using aloe vera as a part of their skincare routine.
