Aloe Vera for the Skin: What You Need to Know

Aloe vera is a favorite among us Filipinas. I remember whenever I scratched my knee or accidentally cut myself as a child, my mother would go to our small garden, cut up the leaf of an aloe vera plant, and apply the gel onto my skin. The relief was instant!

Now, aloe vera is popular not just as a home remedy but as a skincare ingredient, too. Remember the aloe vera gel craze when everyone had a tub or two stocked in their homes? It’s no wonder why. When you take a closer look, aloe vera is actually proven to have wonderful soothing elements for our skin. If you’re a gal with dry skin like me, then you’ll know that aloe vera gel works WONDERS in keeping our skin soft and smooth. Who wouldn’t love that?

But as with any “miracle” remedy, the benefits of aloe vera can be sometimes misunderstood. That’s what we’re here for: to give you everything you need to know about aloe vera, what the benefits of aloe vera are, and how YOU can apply it no matter what your skin type. Read on to find out the best uses for the gel!

Is Aloe Vera good for your skin?

Aloe vera is probably one of the most common topical herbal remedies in the modern world. And with good reason! You can find it pretty much everywhere, and the benefits are pretty awesome. It usually acts as a soothing component for minor cuts, sunburn, or dry patches of skin. 

While there is more than one kind of aloe, the most common type used in skin care products is aloe barbadensis Miller from the aloe vera plant of the same name. But to answer the question of whether or not it’s good for your skin, the answer is mostly yes. Of course, for many serious conditions, you can’t simply apply aloe vera onto the affected area and watch it heal. But minor ailments such as small cuts and irritated skin can generally benefit from this soothing gel.

How can I use aloe vera on my face?

The face on our skin is way more sensitive than the rest of our body. That’s why it needs extra care and caution, especially because we don’t want to harm it further with products that are bad for it. 

But it also is generally safe to use for minor facial ailments, and the use of aloe vera has been proven to have potent benefits for the skin and hair. Its versatility makes it a great all-around home remedy that is super safe, as verified and medically reviewed by written research. You can use aloe vera as a moisturizer, an anti-acne agent, or a soothing gel on your face. 

If you have a plant at home, just cut open the aloe vera leaf with a knife or scissors and carefully scoop out the gel from the opening. Apply it directly onto the affected area or store in an opaque container to keep it safe from possible light damage.

What are the benefits and effects of aloe vera?

On the surface, aloe vera gel may look like a simple natural remedy. But don’t be fooled. This plant can be used to treat anything from a psoriasis flareup to flakiness in the skin and scalp. Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits of aloe vera gel and how to use it properly.

Aloe vera is great for dry skin

Like I said, if you’re a dry skin type of girl, then you’ll know what we mean when we say aloe vera gel works wonders for moisturizing the skin. To get a little technical, aloe vera contains mucopolysaccharides, which is a chain of molecules with superb hydrating properties and can commonly be found in most moisturizers. Now you know why aloe vera gel is so hydrating, so the next time the skin feels a little dry, you know what product to grab! Just apply a small amount of aloe vera onto any dry or rough patches of skin and see how it fares. 

It’s good for oily skin, too

So not only is aloe vera gel great for dry skin, it’s suitable for oily skin, too? Sign me up. There have been many reviews dedicated to the benefits of this ingredient on the dryer skin types, but little do we know that it’s great for oily types as well. It’s lightweight and doesn’t clog pores, which must be why.

Aloe vera gel soothes a bad sunburn

Nothing ruins a bikini day more than sunburn. Despite doing our best to prepare for an out-of-town getaway, these mishaps can still happen. In our guide to caring for our skin after sun exposure, we mention aloe vera gel as a great way to moisturize overexposed and irritated skin. All you have to do is apply it onto the skin, and voila. 

But did you know it also is great for soothing a sunburn? While studies on its healing properties are inconclusive, popping on a dollop of aloe vera gel on a sunburned area can reduce pain and discomfort. Next time you’re planning a beach trip, be sure to add a tube of aloe vera in your travel pack. 

In the same vein, using aloe vera gel can help heal minor burns on the body as well as small cuts on the skin. Key word: minor! This is because of aloe’s property to promote collagen growth and speed up wound healing.

It’s a natural exfoliant

Aloe vera contains salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) known for reducing acne, removing blackheads, and unclogging pores. Aloe vera helps get rid of dead cells in your skin without rubbing it raw, making it a wonderful mild exfoliant. 

If you’re feeling a little apprehensive about harsh exfoliants, why not give the gel a go? You might just find the holy grail product you never knew you needed!

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties

Eczema and psoriasis can get nightmare-level bad, especially in cold months (hello, January) or during stressful times (aka the entirety of 2020). In these situations, it’s best to have an over-the-counter remedy on hand in case of a flare-up. The next time your skin gets flaky, try dabbing a small amount of aloe vera to the irritated area: the gel is known to help provide relief as well as moisturize the rough spots on your skin. Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, so it also can help calm an irritated area of the skin.

Aloe vera fights (minor) acne

Studies have shown that using aloe vera can treat minor, superficial cases of acne, such as acne vulgaris. This is acne caused by clogged hair follicles or pores. However, we strongly advise you to exercise caution and check with your dermatologist first before treating acne yourself. Especially if you have a more serious form of it.

It keeps you looking youthful

Many people also swear by aloe vera for anti-aging purposes. This is because the gel is claimed to be rich in Vitamins C and E, natural antioxidants that protect the skin from the negative effects of free radicals. According to an article written by Greatist and medically reviewed by a healthcare professional, Aloe vera and Vitamin C and E in this formula can be great topical ingredients that keep the skin looking youthful.

Is Aloe Vera good for dead skin?

We’ve established that aloe vera is a great natural exfoliant, and a light one at that. This means you can use aloe vera for removing stubborn dead skin cells on our bodies. Dead skin cell buildup can cause our skin to look dull, and we don’t want that. 

To use aloe vera for exfoliation, try applying it in the shower after your body soap to replace your usual scrub. The gel can get rid of dirt and pollutants on the skin, and it also removes dead cells to reveal a smoother, more youthful complexion.

Can aloe vera heal damaged skin?

Okay, by this point, we’ve established that aloe vera gel is one of the best ways to treat small burns, wounds, and cuts. This is because of the plant and its ability to promote collagen growth in the skin, thereby speeding up the wound healing process. It can also provide temporary pain relief. 

A study done by Rajar, et al. in 2008 even shows that aloe vera applied twice a day significantly healed skin lesions. Just take note that the effect of aloe vera on an open wound is not the same, so don’t dare do it.

Have you been looking for a holy grail moisturizer? Or perhaps want to switch to more organic means of treating small wounds? No matter your reasons, you can always make use of that aloe vera plant (or two) sitting in your garden.

There are many things that make aloe vera a popular ingredient in the world of health and skin care. The plant and its benefits have long been medically reviewed by experts, so it’s about as safe as you can get. You can’t really go wrong with aloe vera, as long as you know when and how to apply it!

In short, aloe vera gel can be used to speed up the healing of different skin ailments such as minor burns, cuts, and inflammation. It’s also one of the safest and most hydrating natural moisturizers. In fact, aloe vera gel is usually the star of many skincare products, and you won’t find it sitting at the bottom of the ingredients list, but on the top. So, next time you’re at your local beauty store, don’t be afraid to get that tub of aloe you’ve been eyeing!

Joey Baldonado

Joey is an AB Psychology graduate of the University of St. La Salle – Bacolod. Her life’s passions include writing, film, and spending hours on end binge-watching fashion vloggers on Youtube.