Growing up, it was more common than not to experience embarrassing and often painful acne. As many of us age, we hope acne is just a phase, but unfortunately skin conditions and hormones can stay with us for years, so acne follows many of us well into adulthood. Experiencing acne is so common that a plethora of home remedies have been introduced into popular skincare regimens.
Aloe Vera has been used to treat skin conditions for thousands of years and many sing the praise of this succulent for relief from all sorts of skin issues and ailments. Today, we will take a closer look at how Aloe Vera may be used to treat acne and acne scars.
What is Aloe Vera?
There are over 300 species of aloe plant, but the one we are most familiar with and that lauds the most benefits is the spiky succulent called Aloe Barbadensis, also known more commonly as Aloe Vera.
Aloe Vera is widely known in the skin and beauty industries as it is used as an ingredient in several skincare and cosmetic products. It is found in dry, warm climates around the world and used all over the globe as well.
Today, aloe has an entire industry behind it, as its insides are used in cosmetics and skincare products such as moisturizer, soap, and shaving cream. It also has been widely known to help soothe burns. To this day, even applying fresh aloe directly to a burn is still one of the best ways for fast acting relief of minor burns, so keeping an aloe plant in your home is a great idea. Don’t worry, brown thumbs, aloe plants are hard to kill too!
Does Aloe Vera work for acne?
Many studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of aloe and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that help treat mild to moderate acne. Research also shows that aloe leaves and the gel they make have antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for healing and wound care. Being antimicrobial means that Aloe Vera may be able to reduce the amount of the acne-causing bacteria in the skin and help heal any lesions present.
How do I use Aloe Vera for my acne?
Aloe Vera may be applied directly to the skin in its raw gel form or as a cream which can be bought in stores or created via one’s own formula. You can use it by itself or combine it with other natural remedies for acne. Aloe Vera has been known to be effective with traditional acne treatments as well and may be used alongside a range of prescription and over-the-counter acne medications.
How does Aloe Vera help with acne scars?
While aloe has been shown to help with burns and burn scarring, studies have also been done on its effectiveness with acne scarring as well. There are a few ways Aloe Vera may help to reduce acne scarring when applied to the skin, such as:
- Boosting immune response. Aloe Vera has been shown in studies to boost immune response to inflammation and that can help reduce the redness in scarring.
- Collagen and elastin production. Aloe Vera applied to the skin may help stimulate collagen production.
- Reduces inflammation. Aloe Vera has demonstrated inflammation reduction in scarring and acne.
Ways to Use Aloe for Acne
There isn’t one right way to use it to allow acne. Here are some popular ways people have been using Aloe Vera for their home acne and acne scar fighting regimen:
- Pure Aloe Vera gel
- Face mask with aloe, honey and cinnamon
- Face scrub with aloe, coconut oil and sugar
- Standalone face spray with aloe and water
- Face mask with aloe gel and lemon
- Face cream with aloe gel and baby oil
- A face application of aloe gel and apple cider vinegar
- Drinking Aloe Vera juice from gel or powder form
Are there any side effects to using Aloe Vera?
Aloe Vera is all natural so side effects should be little to non-existent, unless you are allergic so make sure to put a tiny bit on your arm first before putting it on your face. Also, make sure you are purchasing Aloe Vera gel, powder, plant and many of its other forms from a reputable source.
How To Get The Best Aloe Vera Gel
The best way to ensure that you're getting the highest quality aloe gel possible is to choose a company with complete control over the manufacturing process, from growing to harvesting and processing.
At Aloe Laboratories, we maintain our own aloe vera farm and production site, allowing us to craft the most satisfactory products possible while keeping bulk and wholesale prices low. We pride ourselves on producing aloe vera gel, juice, and powder specific to each customer's needs.
If you'd like to learn more about how aloe vera gel can enhance your products, or if you have some ideas of your own, reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you make your product a reality.