When you have a monster sunburn, the first thing you think of is rubbing Aloe Vera gel to soothe your scorched skin. Aloe Vera is a popular medicinal and cosmetic plant. Not only does this gooey superhero give you relief from sunburns, but it also helps in treating many skin conditions like frostbite, psoriasis, and cold sores.
You might have this thorny triangular green plant sitting in your backyard without knowing the many ways in which you can use the precious Aloe Vera plant for your face and skin. Don’t worry; we will be covering that for you in this article.
Can You Put Aloe Vera On Your Face?
Aloe vera is a plant that provides natural gel with soothing and moisturizing properties, making it a safe and suitable ingredient to apply on the face. It's great for sunburn, dry skin, acne, and irritation.
The clear gel-like substance inside the leaves of the plant, popularly known as Aloe Vera gel, contains 75 potentially active constituents such as vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids. (1)
Did you know?
“Due to its health, beauty, medicinal, and skincare properties, Aloe Vera has been regarded as “the universal panacea” by the Greek scientists and “the plant of immortality” by the Egyptians. The miracle plant has anti-fungal, anti-viral, and cell regenerative properties.”
Top 10 Aloe Vera Benefits For Face
With all this hype around the plant, should you make the application of Aloe Vera on face a permanent fixture in your skincare regime? Well, while the research suggests that Vitamin A and E present in Aloe Vera gel make it a great addition to your skincare products arsenal. (2)
Although this magical ingredient was discovered just a few decades ago, it has always been recorded in beauty books for centuries for its umpteen benefits. Oily, dry, or sensitive, it works wonders on any skin type and can rid almost all of your skin woes.
Read on to discover the many reasons to include Aloe Vera gel in your daily skincare regimen and get familiar with all the amazing benefits of Aloe Vera gel for face.
1. It Soothes Sunburns
Did you know Aloe Vera is also referred to as a “burn plant” as it is so effective in soothing sunburns? Aloe Vera contains certain compounds called polysaccharides, which help in encouraging skin repair and new skin cells to set up shop. It also has a pain-relieving compound called carboxypeptidase, which gives us a soothing sensation every time we apply Aloe Vera.
Some peer-reviewed studies have shown that this thick gel filled in the Aloe Vera leaves can help in healing first to second-degree burns, which include mild to moderate sunburns.
The most recent studies have shown that aloin, which is responsible for the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties, helps prevent the peeling that sometimes happens with sunburns. (3)
If your face has visible signs of sun damage like mild sunburns, freckles, or dark spots, apply Aloe Vera on your face to get relief and manage symptoms.
2. It Moisturizes the Skin
Because Aloe Vera mainly contains (95%) water, it hydrates the skin with no greasy feeling after application. Along with locking the moisture into the skin, Aloe Vera also acts as a glue, making the top layer of the skin cells stick together, resulting in smoother and softer skin.
Even for sensitive and oily skin types, Aloe Vera has proved to be an excellent moisturizer. If you look for a light moisturizer for the dry winter months or summers, don’t forget to consider Aloe Vera. (4)
One easy way to reap the benefits of moisturizing properties of Aloe Vera is to use a natural moisturizer with Aloe Vera as one of the key ingredients. Kama Ayurveda’s Eladi Hydrating Ayurvedic Cream is one such rich, natural day cream that blends into the skin, leaving it softly mattified yet well moisturized.
3. It Treats Mouth Sores
Aloe Vera can not only soothe sunburns but also help treat common oral conditions, including fever blisters and cold sores outside the mouth and canker sores (usually caused due to stress) in the mouth.
It helps in treating the herpes virus, the underlying cause of cold sores. All you have to do is apply a small amount of the gel on the cold sore two times a day until the wound goes away. (7)
4. It Slows Down The Signs Of Ageing
As your skin ages, it starts to look more saggy, wrinkled and loses its elasticity. But don’t worry, Aloe Vera can help you deal with this problem. It retains the skin’s lost moisture and restores its radiance.
Along with reducing visible wrinkles and fine lines on the face, Aloe Vera gel also helps in improving the elasticity of the skin and repairing skin cells. Thus, preventing premature aging of the skin. (8)
5. It Fights Acne and Fades Blemishes
Thanks to the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that Aloe Vera has, we can keep acne at bay. How? Aloe Vera prevents the bacteria which is responsible for the occurrence of acne.
The salicylic acid in Aloe Vera helps in unclogging the pores, which is a great thing when you deal with pimples and blackheads. Aloe Vera also helps in removing the pesky scars and fading the blemishes. (5) (6)
6. It Helps In Relieving Skin Irritation
Aloe Vera is a super ingredient for sensitive skin. The cooling properties of the plant help in soothing redness, infection, rash, and itchiness. Acemannan compounds in Aloe Vera which contain anti-fungal properties, help treat inflammatory skin issues such as cysts and heat boils in summer.
However, note that proper studies are lacking to support its use over conventional treatments. Make sure you do a small patch test before treating the inflammatory skin, as Aloe Vera can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people.
7. It Cleanses The Skin
Did you know Aloe Vera has the ability to repair and recover your skin from the day behind you? That means it can clear the build-up caused by exposure to pollution and dirt. Isn’t it amazing? By simply using a natural cleanser with Aloe Vera as one of the key ingredients, you can get all its cleansing benefits.
One such natural face cleanser is Kama Ayurveda’s Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam. It has cold-pressed Aloe Vera Leaf Juice that provides intense hydration, while also controlling flaking, redness and tightness.
Read - How To Get Clear Skin - 13 Expert Tips That Work
8. It Slightly Exfoliates the Skin
The salicylic acid in Aloe Vera gel can act as an exfoliator by gently sloughing off the dead skin cells. Lignin in Aloe Vera enhances the penetrative effect of other ingredients into the skin.
9. It Reduces Inflammation
Aloe Vera's anti-inflammatory compounds help calm irritated skin, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin conditions like eczema or rosacea.
10. It Treats Insect Bites and Wounds
Aloe vera accelerates the healing process of minor cuts, burns, and wounds due to its ability to stimulate cell regeneration.
It is also a natural solution for soothing insect bites as its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and itching, while its cooling effect provides relief.
How To Use Aloe Vera For Face?
There are various ways to use Aloe Vera for face - from using fresh Aloe Vera gel on your face to homemade face packs for different skin types. You can also use it as as a face wash, toner, moisturizer, and remedy for dark circles, sunburns, and acne.
We’ll talk about each method in detail in this section.
1. Apply Fresh Aloe Vera Gel On Face
Using Aloe Vera for your face is an uncomplicated and rewarding skincare practice. Begin by cleaning your face to remove any impurities. Apply a thin layer of freshly extracted Aloe Vera gel to your face and gently massage it using upward motions. Allow the gel to sit for around 15-20 minutes, letting its soothing properties work their magic.
2. Aloe Vera Face Pack For Dry Skin
This DIY face pack helps in turning your dry and dull skin to a plump and supple one. All you have to do is mix Aloe Vera gel, honey, and cucumber. These three ingredients help in hydrating your skin, thus leaving it soft and smooth.
What You Need:
- One tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel
- One sliced Cucumber
- One tablespoon of Honey
What you have to do:
Blend the sliced cucumber. Add Aloe Vera gel and honey to the paste. Apply the mixture all over the face and neck and leave it on for 20 minutes. Later, rinse it off with lukewarm water.
3. Aloe Vera Face Pack For Oily Skin
This Aloe Vera face pack helps you in zapping excess oil from the skin. It also helps in preventing acne.
What You Need:
- Fresh Aloe Vera gel
- 10 to 12 drops of tea tree oil
What You Have To Do:
Add tea tree oil to fresh Aloe Vera gel and whisk it into a smooth paste. Apply the mixture all over the face and leave it overnight. Rinse it off in the morning with lukewarm water. You can repeat this twice a week.
4. Aloe Vera Face Pack For Normal Or Sensitive Skin
This face mask helps in moisturizing and brightening your skin. It works for all skin types, especially for sensitive or normal skin types. It helps in relieving skin from rash and itchiness and improving skin elasticity.
What You Need:
- One banana
- Two tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel
Few drops of Rose Water
What You Have To Do:
Mash the banana into a bowl and add Aloe Vera gel and Rose Water to it. Make a paste and apply it on a damp face. Rinse it off when it dries and make sure you moisturize your skin after that.
Read - 18 Effective Ayurvedic Face Masks To Treat Your Skin
5. Use Aloe Vera As Face Wash
To use Aloe Vera as a face wash, start by extracting fresh gel from a leaf. Apply the gel on damp skin, massage gently, and rinse with lukewarm water. For added benefits, consider mixing aloe vera with Lemon Juice for exfoliation or Rose Water for soothing effects. Use it once or twice daily for a natural cleanse that suits your preferences and skin needs.
6. Use Aloe Vera As Toner
To make an Aloe Vera skin toner, combine one part fresh Aloe Vera gel with two parts water. Store this mixture in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator. Before using, shake the bottle well. Apply the toner to your cleansed face using a cotton ball.
Let it dry before continuing with your usual skincare routine. This homemade toner offers a natural way to hydrate and refresh your skin.
7. Use Aloe Vera As Moisturizer
To use aloe vera as a moisturizer, extract fresh gel from a leaf and apply a thin layer to your clean, dry face. For added benefits, consider mixing in a drop of suitable essential oil for the face, Hyaluronic Acid serum, Vitamin E oil, or Rose Water before application.
Massage gently and allow absorption. Use it daily or as needed, adjusting the amount as required. If using during the day, apply sunscreen afterwards.
8. Use Aloe Vera For Fading Dark Circles
Packed with aloesin, Aloe Vera gel serves as an effective solution for diminishing skin pigmentation. This characteristic makes it adept at reducing the appearance of dark circles while maintaining proper hydration for the delicate skin around the eyes.
To apply, massage aloe vera gel in circular motions before bedtime each night. Allow it to work its magic overnight. Rinse it off the next morning and repeat this routine until your dark circles gradually fade away.
9. Use Aloe Vera For Treating Sunburns
For a refreshing and effective sunburn remedy, consider utilizing chilled aloe vera gel. Simply apply it to the sunburned area two or three times daily. Continue this routine for several days, until the skin's color returns to normal and inflammation subsides.
Alternatively, you can create a cooling spray by blending 2 parts water with 1 part Aloe Vera. Store the mixture in the refrigerator and ensure to steer clear of the eyes when applying the spray.
10. Use Aloe Vera To Treat Acne and Blemishes
Mix one tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel with a few drops of Lemon Juice to formulate a potent acne treatment. Ensure the mixture is sealed and refrigerated. After cleansing your skin, gently apply the blend once or twice daily onto breakouts and blemishes.
This proactive approach taps into aloe vera's soothing properties and the astringent effects of lemon juice to combat acne-related concerns.
You can also add 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil to freshly scooped out Aloe Vera gel and massage it into your skin to prevent and treat acne.
Create Skincare Routine With Best Aloe Vera Products
Another way to incorporate Aloe Vera to your daily skincare regimen is to use skincare products that include Aloe Vera in them.
If one of your hobbies is reading the back labels of skin care products, then you probably already know that Aloe Vera is in a lot of cleansers, moisturizers and night creams. Here are our top recommendations for Aloe Vera based products.
Aloe Vera For Cleansing
Since cleansing is the first step to any typical skincare routine, it is always best to use cleansing products that contain Aloe Vera in it. Aloe Vera can repair and recover skin from the day behind you.
Therefore, if you have sunburns or acne scars or even you just got built up with a tough day of pollution, these Aloe Vera products are your best friends.
1. Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam
Kama Ayurveda’s Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam is perfect for delicate skin. It helps in removing excess oils and impurities without stripping away skin’s essential moisture. The cold-pressed Aloe Vera leaf juice in the foam controls flaking, redness, and tightness while providing intense hydration.
Along with Aloe Vera, this product also contains pure Sandalwood oil and naturally restorative Calendula, which helps in soothing sensitive and irritated skin and healing the damage caused by pollution and environmental irritants.
2. Himalayan Deodar Face Cleanser For Men
Himalayan Deodar Face Cleanser For Men From Kama Ayurveda is a soothing face wash that is filled with natural ingredients. Along with the goodness of Aloe Vera, which heals and smoothens the skin, this cleanser also contains purifying Cedar Wood extract that soothes and tones the skin.
The moisturizing jojoba oil in it helps in minimizing fine lines, promoting skin suppleness, and rejuvenation. The cooling Vetiver root, antibacterial Cumin seed extracts, toning Lavender oil, and anti-inflammatory Patchouli oil acts as natural astringents for perfectly cleansed, refreshed, and healthy skin.
3. Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser
Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser is a perfect hydrating face wash that gently and thoroughly cleans your skin and removes light makeup. The Aloe Vera juice and all the other natural ingredients present in the cleanser heals, smoothens, softens and rejuvenates the skin, minimizes fine lines, and promotes skin suppleness. This cleanser helps in keeping the skin soft, young, and moisturized.
Aloe Vera For Moisturising
Aloe Vera may not be the first thing you turn to fix a bad break out or a dark spot. However, it should be on the radar Not only for your face, but Aloe Vera can also do wonders to your entire body. When applied all over the body, it protects your skin from the pollution while giving the moisture of Aloe Vera. It treats minor cuts, wounds, dry skin and severe burns too along with exfoliating, restoring, and providing constant impressive nutrition to the human skin.
1. Rejuvenating And Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream
Rejuvenating And Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream from Kama Ayurveda is a powerful Ayurveda based formula created from Aloe Vera and the finest of saffron from Kashmir. This night cream helps in lightening and brightening uneven skin, reducing dark circles and pigmentation marks while also repairing fine lines, age spots, and other signs of aging.
2. Kokum And Almond Body Butter
Kokum and Almond Body Butter is an enriching body butter made with 100% organic Aloe Vera juice, Sweet Almond oil, Coconut oil, Cocoa butter, and Kokum butter. Rich in fiber, vitamin A, E and minerals, Aloe Vera in this body butter helps in relieving dryness, increasing the elasticity of the skin, regenerating skin cells and improving skin tone.
3. Shea Lotus Body Butter
The rich and creamy Shea Lotus Body Butter absorbs quickly into the skin, replenishes the body’s natural hydration levels, and enhances skin texture by softening and smoothening it. Aloe Vera in the body butter helps in maintaining the plumped up, youthful appearance of the skin by minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Himalayan Deodar Body Moisturizer
Himalayan Deodar Body Moisturizer is a luxurious body moisturizer that is rich in Aloe Vera and free of sulfates (SLES), Paraben, and Petrochemicals. It acts as a natural skin conditioner and helps in brightening, refreshing, and nourishing skin. Thus leaving the skin soft, radiant, healthy, and toned.
5. Lavender Patchouli Body Moisturiser
Lavender Patchouli Body Moisturiser, infused with extracts of Aloe Vera, Sunflower, and Olive Oil, transforms dry skin by sealing in a rich blend of lipids and essential ingredients to nourish and nurture continually. The refreshing Patchouli gives a well-hydrated, smooth, and comfortable skin by acting as a natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory agent.
Side Effects Of Aloe Vera
The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate any Aloe Vera products. They considered it safe when used as directed. So it is up to you to use the Aloe Vera safely. However, make sure you report to the doctor if at all you find any kind of adverse reactions.
Although rare, some people may have some allergic reactions like redness, swelling, or a rash to Aloe Vera. If such symptoms occur, stop using Aloe Vera immediately. Consult a doctor if you are worried about the signs. Also, never use Aloe Vera on the infected skin. Even though Aloe Vera gel has some microbial properties, it may disrupt the healing process making the infection worse.
If you aren’t allergic to Aloe Vera, it can do wonders on your skin. Just try and see the results yourself.
FAQ’s
Is Aloe Vera Good For Face?
Aloe Vera contains enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins A and C which can treat burns, acne, dry skin and many other skin issues. It is highly inflammatory too. With all these benefits, Aloe Vera is definitely good for face. It’s suitable for all skin types so you can apply on sensitive skin as well.
How To Grow Aloe Vera?
Aloe Vera as a succulent does best in dry conditions. Plant it in a regular potting soil that has been amended with building sand or additional perlite. You can also plant it in a cactus potting soil mixture. Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes as aloe vera plants cannot tolerate standing water.
How To Make Aloe Vera Gel At Home?
Take a leaf and cut off the ragged edges first. Then slide the knife right under the skin along the length of the leaf. Now, carefully with the help of a spoon, scoop out all the transparent gooey gel and collect it in a bowl. To preserve the gel for a longer period, add a few drops of grape seed extract or some essential oil.
Is Aloe Vera Useful For Face Pimples?
Yes, Aloe Vera is very useful for face pimples. Using Aloe Vera as a cleanser everyday can boost the blood flow in your skin and kill off harmful bacteria. You can also leave Aloe overnight to spot treat your acne breakout areas.
References:
- ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- Aloe Vera Gel Research Review - https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2012-09/aloe-vera-gel-research-review
- Aloe Vera on skin - https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4024/e28c8f9fdad106b1de5627ef20ee5360928e.pdf
- In Vivo skin hydration and anti-erythema effects of Aloe vera, Aloe ferox and Aloe marlothii gel materials after single and multiple applications - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4078333/
- Effect of Aloe vera topical gel combined with tretinoin in treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, prospective trial - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23336746
- Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Aloe vera and its effectiveness in decontaminating gutta percha cones - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410334/
- Aloe Vera And Its Uses In Dentistry- A Review - http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:jop&volume=4&issue=3&article=001
- Aloe vera: Magic or myth - http://www.srmjrds.in/article.asp?issn=0976-433X;year=2013;volume=4;issue=3;spage=119;epage=124;aulast=Agarwal
- The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17499928
- Aloin Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis by Inhibiting the Activation of NF-κB - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017010/