Aloe vera as a moisturizer – there are a lot of reasons why you should be using it already.
A staple ingredient in skin and beauty products for years, aloe vera is a common household name. However, many people are still unsure of this plant’s uses and benefits.
Today we’ll be going over the benefits of aloe vera as a moisturizer, its side effects, and how to use it to achieve clear, glowing skin.
What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a plant with fleshy leaves and tall, branched flower stems. The gel inside its leaves contains many nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E; minerals such as zinc and selenium; enzymes; and amino acids like lysine.
When taken internally in juice or capsule form, aloe helps to treat constipation, ulcers in the digestive tract, and urinary tract infections. It also removes harmful toxins from the intestines and can help to treat indigestion.
When applied topically, aloe vera is a great remedy for dry skin, burns, sunburns, and other skin conditions. It may also help speed up wound healing by encouraging blood flow close to the surface of the skin.
Aloe Vera as Moisturizer
People have used aloe vera as a moisturizer for thousands of years. The gel, which comes from the leaves of this plant, contains many healing compounds, including vitamins A and C and proteins that can soothe and moisturize the skin.
Aloe vera gel is available at some health food stores, and it’s inexpensive enough that you can also use it as a moisturizer to save money. Just dab a pea-size directly to your face or body every day, or when your skin is starting to feel tight and itchy due to dryness.
Benefits of Using Aloe Vera as a Moisturizer
1. Restores moisture
Using aloe vera as a moisturizer is a good way to restore moisture and relieve irritation in the skin. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make it an ideal moisturizer for various skin types.
2. Reduces aging signs
Aloe vera gel not only hydrates the skin but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, according to a study published in “The National Center for Biotechnology Information.”
In this study, it was shown that aloe vera helps stimulate collagen production in the skin, which helps to prevent wrinkles from forming.
3. Helps heal burns
The soothing properties of aloe vera can help speed the healing process after any type of burn. Immediately after a burn occurs, the skin is usually very hot, red, and painful.
Using aloe vera as a moisturizer can help reduce the pain and speed healing. You can also use aloe vera in combination with other over-the-counter medications to heal burns.
4. Treats sunburns
Treating sunburns is one of the most common benefits of moisturizing skin with aloe vera gel. The soothing effects of this gel can help heal sunburns quickly. Apply the gel directly to your skin twice daily for maximum benefits.
5. Promotes healing of cuts and abrasions
Aloe vera as a moisturizer is also beneficial for people who have suffered from minor cuts and scrapes or surgery. In several studies, applying aloe vera gel to the wound sped up healing time compared to using other treatments (such as medicated creams).
6. Treats insect bites and infections
Aloe vera gel is also useful for treating insect bites or stings from plants, such as poison ivy or oak; fungal infections; chickenpox; frostbite; warts, or cuts that are slow to heal.
7. Reduces acne and other skin irritations
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, applying aloe vera gel on the skin is helpful for people with acne, eczema, and other skin conditions.
The idea is that the soothing properties of aloe vera will help to heal damaged skin, while its antimicrobial effects will help eliminate bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
Which Type of Aloe Vera Gel Is Best for the Skin?
The effectiveness of aloe vera on the skin depends on its purity and quality. Many products available in the market are not pure and may have added chemicals.
For instance, some manufacturers add chemicals like sodium hydroxide, deionized water, and alcohol to their products so that they can increase their shelf life. This can hinder the benefits of applying aloe vera to the skin.
To avoid this, it is best to buy an organic aloe vera gel since it will be free of any harmful chemicals that may irritate your skin. You can also mix a little bit of honey with the aloe vera gel for an added boost of antioxidants and vitamins.
How to Use Aloe Vera as Moisturizer
You can buy aloe vera gel from a trusted store or you can prepare the gel yourself at home by using the leaves.
There are different ways to do this, but this one is simple and effective:
- Get an aloe vera leaf from your local garden center. Larger leaves will produce more gel.
- Scrape off the gel from the leaf with a spoon or knife and put it in a small bowl or cup.
- Clean your face and rinse off with water before you proceed to the next step.
- Massage the gel into your skin for a few minutes or until it gets absorbed by your skin.
- Leave it for about 30 minutes or overnight and then rinse it off with cold water.
Risks and Side Effects
There are little to no side effects of using aloe vera gel on the skin. However, as with any other substance applied to the skin, irritation or allergic reactions may occur.
People who have sensitive skin may experience burning or irritation when they apply a fresh aloe vera product to their skin. Some people may also develop an allergic reaction to aloe gel; if they’re allergic to one of the plant’s main ingredients: latex.
Side effects of using aloe vera gel on the skin include:
- Skin rash
- Irritation
- Itching
- Burning, or tingling sensation after application
- Skin redness or peeling of the area where aloe vera was applied.
Before you apply aloe vera to your face, make sure to do an allergy test by applying a small amount of gel on your inner wrist or elbow.
Wait for 24 hours. If there are no reactions, then you can use aloe vera on your skin without any problem.
What Can You Use With Aloe Vera to Moisturize Your Skin?
Honey. Honey and aloe vera have very different textures and properties, but they are both great for moisturizing the skin. They also have a nice smell that mixes well with other essential oils for a custom moisturizer.
Honey and aloe vera are both very soothing to the skin, so they work well together to keep your skin from drying out. Aloe vera hydrates your skin, while the honey soothes any burns or damaged areas of your face.
While you might think that the honey would make your face sticky or sweet-smelling, neither of these is the case. In fact, because honey is acidic, it helps to balance out the pH levels of your skin without irritating your skin.
By keeping your skin from becoming dry and flaking off, both of these natural products help to keep your skin soft and supple.
How to make homemade honey and aloe vera moisturizer
Here are the ingredients you will need:
- 1/2 cup of warm water
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Stir well until they’re completely combined.
- Transfer the preparation into a container that’s easy to use, like a squeeze bottle or an empty lotion container. This makes it easier for you to apply later on.
- Ensure to label your product to avoid using it for other purposes than for skin moisturization.
- Apply this homemade moisturizer right after taking a bath or shower to allow the honey and aloe vera gel to be absorbed by your skin.
The moisturizer should stay on your skin for at least 15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
FAQs
Can you apply aloe vera gel on your face daily?
Yes, you can. Applying aloe vera gel on your face daily will help hydrate your skin, improve its texture and give it a healthy glow.
Using aloe vera on your face regularly can also help improve circulation in the area, giving you a more youthful appearance.
Can you use aloe vera as a moisturizer at night?
Yes, you can. Applying aloe vera as a moisturizer at night before going to bed gives your skin enough time to absorb all its nutrients.
If you decide to use it as a moisturizer at night, make sure that your skin is clean and dry before application. Do not apply any other lotions or oils beforehand to ensure that the aloe vera has a chance to soak into your skin.
Can pregnant women use aloe vera as a moisturizer?
Yes, they can. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, aloe vera gel is safe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
However, it is not known whether topical application of aloe vera gel is safe for infants, so it’s best to avoid use until your baby is at least 2 years old. Keep all skincare products out of reach of children.
Conclusion
Aloe vera is very effective in moisturizing the skin. It contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy skin, including vitamin E, zinc, and selenium.
These nutrients help to improve your skin texture, which is key to maintaining youthful-looking skin. Aloe vera can also help to cure various skin problems like burns, rashes, cuts, sunburns, acne, and wrinkles.
So if you have dry skin or need something to keep your skin nourished and hydrated all day long, consider using aloe vera as a moisturizer.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Serum101 to learn more about the benefits of aloe vera.