Remember when you were a kid and you got sunburned or touched a hot stove by mistake? Chances are your mom used Aloe Vera – whether squeezed straight from the plant leaf or in a lotion -- to quickly douse the pain.

 

This cactus-like plant’s ability to soothe and heal scorched skin is widely known. But did you know that burn relief is just one of its many healthy skin benefits?

 

Aloe Vera Basics

 

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant native to Africa. Inside of its plump green leaves is a pulpy middle filled with loads of gooey gel. Read on to find out why you’ll find this tried-and-true natural ingredient in a variety of skincare products, from moisturizers to masks.

 

Treats Acne

 

Aloe’s anti-inflammatory properties are among its top claims to fame in the skincare world. It contains two hormones, Auxin and Gibberelins, that offer wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. Giberellin acts as a growth hormone stimulating new cell growth. This means your skin can heal quickly and naturally with minimal scarring.

 

No wonder Aloe Vera is a  favorite in Ayurevedic medicine for healing chronic skin woes, such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Applying Aloe Vera on an angry swollen pimple can help reduce soreness and speed healing.

 

Also, if acne treatments are leaving your skin dry and irritated,  a product with Aloe Vera can be super soothing without being oily. There’s also  scientific evidence that Aloe Vera may boost the effectiveness of certain acne treatment medications.

Brightens Skin, Fades Dark Marks

 

Aloe Vera contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been shown in studies to effectively brighten skin.

 

It’s also been found to fade those dark acne marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) left after pimples heal. That’s because it contains compounds, such as acemannan, that suppress inflammation. In fact, it can prevent these nasty discolorations from developing in the first place.

 

Aloe Vera gel prevents tyrosinase, the enzyme you can blame for your skin discoloration woes; essentially blocking UV-induced hyperpigmentation.
According to skincare experts, this mechanism may help in the prevention of dark spots. Plus, all of Aloe’s wonderful antioxidants can actually fade sun damage that’s already formed!

 

Fights Signs of Aging

 

Anti-aging properties? Chalk up one more for Aloe Vera! That’s right, it’s been shown to boost collagen production in the skin, which helps reduce wrinkling and promote younger looking skin. The additional collagen produced by using Aloe Vera gel can significantly improve your skin’s elasticity and may even reverse some of the signs of aging.

Aloe leaves contain a wide range of antioxidants including beta carotene, vitamin C and E that can help improve the skin's natural firmness and keep the skin hydrated.

 

Aloe Vera and You

 

Whether tackling acne, wrinkles or dark spots, you may want to add Aloe Vera to your arsenal of skincare products. Many dermatologists recommend using a face mask featuring Aloe Vera to even skin tone, replenish moisture, and more.

 

For an Aloe-rich mask that checks all the boxes for a radiant bare-faced glow, try Gleamin™  Vitamin C Clay Mask. This multitasking marvel features Aloe Vera and a superstar lineup of proven natural ingredients for fading dark spots, including Turmeric, Vitamin C and Australian Yellow Clay.