Mucilaginous gel popularly known as Aloe Vera is not just a plant but a powerhouse of health internal as well as external. The Greek scientists consider it as Universal panacea and Egyptians term it as an immortality plant. Its multifarious usage and significance is startling and when it comes to skincare aloe vera is amazingly effective. It is the most commonly used medicinal and cosmetic plant that can bring immense changes to your skin texture and treat several skin ailments such as frostbite, psoriasis, and cold sores.
The biochemistry of the Aloe Vera plant manifests that it has cell generative properties, anti-fungal, anti-viral. It is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E which is a wonder for your skin.
Aloe Vera contains 75 potentially active constituents - vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids.
Aloe Vera contains certain compounds called polysaccharides, which repairs your skin and generate new cells. Its pain-relieving compound carboxypeptidase gives us the soothing sensation while we apply the aloe vera gel.
Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin
Protects Against Sunburns
Aloe Vera can cure sunburns from mild to moderate. Besides, its anti- inflammatory properties work effectively on sunburns, freckles, dark spots and many other skin related issues.
Hydrates your skin
Almost 95 per cent of the content in aloe vera gel is water this is why it effectively moisturizes your skin to give you commendable results making your skin smoother and softer.
Turn Down your Aging Clock
As you grow older your skin looks saggy, wrinkled, and loses its sheen and elasticity. It retains your skin’s moisture and makes you glow thereby reducing fine lines and wrinkles from your face. Aloe vera gel also helps to prevent premature aging.
Soothes and Treats acne and Blemishes
Salicylic acid in Aloe Vera helps in unclogging the pores, which is a great thing when you deal with pimples and blackheads. It also lightens the rigid blemishes from your skin.
A glimpse at Vitamins and Minerals in Aloe Vera
Vitamins
It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are rich in antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. These vitamins help in neutralizing free radicals.
Enzymes
Aloe vera contains 8 enzymes: liaise, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase. Bradykinase. It helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically, while others help in the breakdown of sugars and fats.
Minerals
It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc.
Sugars
It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysaccharides.
Anthraquinones
It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives. Aloin and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
Fatty Acids
It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.
Healing properties
Aloe Vera contains Glucomannan, a mannose-rich polysaccharide, and gibberellin, a growth hormone, interacts with growth factor receptors on the fibroblast, thereby stimulating its activity and proliferation, which in turn significantly increases collagen synthesis after topical and oral Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera gel increases collagen.
Anti-inflammatory
Aloe Vera inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathway and reduces prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid. Recently, the novel anti-inflammatory compound called C-glucosyl chromone was isolated from gel extracts.
Moisturizing and anti-aging effect
Mucopolysaccharides in aloe vera help in binding moisture into the skin. It stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It also has cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, which softens the skin. The amino acids also soften hardened skin cells and zinc acts as an astringent to tighten pores. Its moisturizing effects has also been studied in treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure where aloe vera gel gloves improved the skin integrity, decreased appearance of fine wrinkle and decreased erythema. It also has an anti-acne effect.
Aloe Vera Gel for Hair
Aloe Vera helps to condition the hair and soften it. Regularly applying Aloe gel to the hair and scalp helps to maintain the vitality of the hair and its shine.
Antiseptic effect
Aloe vera contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamic acid, phenols and sulfur. They all act against fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Some of the best Aloe Vera products for Recommended for You;
- Himalaya Aloe Vera Gel
- Ningen Aloe Vera Gel with added cucumber for soft and plump skin
- Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel
- Mamaearth Aloe Vera Gel
- Forever Aloe Vera Gel
- Khadi Aloe Vera Gel
- Urban Botanics Aloe Vera Gel
- Ningen Aloe Vera Bathing Bar
