You’re probably familiar with the skin-soothing properties of aloe vera—especially when it comes to lessening the discomfort of a sunburn. But did you know that aloe vera can also be used for all sorts of skin issues, from psoriasis to dry scalp? In fact, some doctors recommend aloe vera for the treatment of acne and to prevent acne scarring, too.
Read on to find out how aloe vera—which is anti-inflammatory and gentle enough to use on all skin types—can make a soothing, skin-clearing addition to any beauty routine.
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera is a spiny succulent plant that looks similar to agave. While it’s originally native to the Arabian peninsula, these days it is grown in tropical, subtropical, and arid climates all over the world. It is also a commonly grown indoors as a potted house plant.
Aloe vera’s history as a medicinal plant stretches across cultures and goes back millennia to Greece, Egypt, India, Mexico, Japan, and China. “Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes,” reports one recent scientific review. “Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus used it to treat soldiers’ wounds.”
Aloe vera and the skin
Inside aloe vera’s spiny stalks, you’ll find a clear, gel-like substance filled with Vitamin B12, protein, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. In fact, “aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids,” the aforementioned scientific review reports, noting that the gel’s fatty acids offer exceptional anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Plus, “it provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and seven of the eight essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties,” the review states.
“Aloe appears to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-protective qualities, which is why it is often recommended for sunburn,” explains Dr. Paul Benedetto, a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist, who notes that it also has compounds that promote the growth of new skin cells. “Aloe’s physical properties can also be soothing to the skin.”
This soothing effect makes aloe vera a quick-absorbing, non-greasy moisturizer for all types of skin, including oily skin. It also makes it a great cooling remedy for reducing the irritation of bug bites, stings, and cold sores. Additionally, aloe vera is often used for muscle pain, bruises, cuts, abrasions, and inflammation to the skin from burns and frostbite; many studies support its use to improve wound healing and reduce skin inflammation, itching, and irritation. According to the Mayo Clinic, the application of aloe vera gel on the skin “seems to shorten the healing time of first and second degree burns.”
