When it comes to skincare ingredients, some truly impressive ones are often overlooked ( hello, azelaic acid!) while others are, well, a little overhyped. One ingredient that has amassed a cult following from beaming testimonials is aloe vera. The superstar ingredient has been touted as a miracle worker for everything from treating acne to improving wrinkles, but does it deliver all the praise it gets? Here, we investigate whether aloe vera is really the cure-it-all ingredient it’s said to be (or whether it’s a little overrated). Scroll on to know the potential benefits of aloe vera.
All The Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Skin
Soothes The Skin
Aloe vera is best used for soothing irritated skin and itchiness. Aloe vera is an additional bonus that can be used in conjunction with your other calming products.
Prevents Trans epidermal Water Loss
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) occurs when the skin gets dehydrated, causing dryness and inflammation. Aloe vera helps in preventing the TEWL which is very important when you have a sunburn or a windburn.
Cools & Hydrates The Skin
When it comes to treating burns, aloe vera helps heal your skin barrier or creates a better one while cooling and hydrating it at the same time. The fact that aloe vera extract is so hydrating is because it’s mostly water.
Deeply Moisturises The Skin
Another major benefit of aloe vera is that it gives the skin a burst of moisturisation.
Heals Breakouts
Aloe vera helps in treating breakouts. Thanks to the salicylic acid it contains, its moisturising properties make aloe vera a beneficial healing element for acne. The moist environment it creates for your skin speeds up the healing process.
How To Use It
If you want to reap maximum benefits, it’s best to apply freshly-juiced aloe vera gel rather than using a formulated product – the plant is easily available. The amount of aloe in formulated products varies widely, but the vast majority of products have only a tiny bit of aloe in them. However, you can also use the OTC aloe vera gels that are quite easily available too. Keep scrolling to know more on how to incorporate aloe vera into your beauty regimen.
As A Soothing Eye Makeup Remover
If the skin around your peepers is prone to flakiness or redness, removing stubborn makeup with a remover can be a painful process. Instead, apply coconut oil and aloe vera to your lashes and around the eyes with a cotton ball, making sure to massage it in to break down all the product evenly on your skin. This DIY is not only effective at removing waterproof makeup but has a soothing, nourishing effect on the lashes as well as on the delicate skin around your eyes.
A Mask For Acneic Skin
To keep breakouts at bay, apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel mixed with honey to the face. The latter has an osmotic effect on the skin, so it draws out all the excess liquid that makes a pimple looks red and swollen.
A DIY Mask To Tighten Pores
Crack and empty one large egg into a mixing bowl, and mix it with two tablespoons of aloe gel until the mixture is frothy. Apply this egg and aloe vera concoction to the skin of your face, neck, and decolletage, and let it dry. Then, rinse off with lukewarm water.
A DIY Scrub To Brighten Dull Complexion
Mix 1 teaspoon lemon peel powder, ¼ cup aloe vera gel, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, ¼ cup brown sugar, and a few drops of lemon essential oil. This is the superhero scrub that will not only brighten but also calm your skin.
Say hello to aloe!
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