Submitted by the Baylor College of Medicine…..
Aloe Vera gel is typically used when you get a little too much sun and need some relief. However, an expert at Baylor College of Medicine says Aloe Vera has multiple benefits for your skin.
“Aloe Vera has lots of uses,” said Kim Chang, aesthetician with the Baylor Aesthetics Studio. “It contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is highly anti-inflammatory. It can help treat burns, acne and dry skin.”
Chang added that when it comes to acne, Aloe Vera works best on superficial surface acne rather than cystic or deeper acne.
“The enzymes in it can also help exfoliate the skin to make it smoother, but if you are looking for something stronger I would recommend using a grainy exfoliator paired with a pure moisturizer,” she said.
Although Aloe Vera can help moisturize, Chang said when overused, it can dry out the skin. She says that the enzymes in the plant act like an exfoliator and any time you exfoliate the skin too much it will begin to become too oily or too dry depending on your skin type.
Another benefit to Aloe Vera is that it can help with future lines and wrinkles. “One popular question is, can it help get rid of my wrinkles, and the simple answer is no. A big thing to differentiate is that it doesn’t reverse your skin from aging , but helps prevent you from getting deeper wrinkles and lines,” Chang added.
Aloe Vera can also be used on the hair to treat dandruff by rubbing it into your hair and scalp.
Chang says the best way to use Aloe Vera is to carefully cut open a plant’s leaf, scoop out the gel-like insides and apply that to the affected area. If you don’t have a plant at home, Chang says that products containing Aloe work just as well. Although a fresh plant is better to use, the benefit of using products containing aloe is that the product will typically contain other ingredients that will help with what you are trying to treat.
If you are looking to go the extra mile, Chang says you can even find drinks that contain Aloe Vera. “Some people believe that Aloe Vera drinks might help support collagen in your skin which prevents the signs of aging, but there has been little research to support this claim,” she said.