This is the first post of my new blog series! I hope this really takes off, and that you can all learn something new.
So here are some of the things aloe vera are known to do:
- remedy for various skin conditions including, but not limited to:
- burns, sunburn, frostbite, and cold sores
- healing of surgical wounds (1)
- improve blood circulation in wounded areas
- moisturizes and hydrates the skin
- cool and soothe skin after prolonged sun exposure (2)
These are some really basic things that aloe vera can do, and I'm sure you already know of these things. Most people usually use aloe vera as a moisturizer, or to heal surgical wounds in the skin. I've burned myself cooking before, and by slathering aloe vera on it right away, the burn wound went away much quicker and it hurt much less.
Aloe vera has potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which helps limit or prevent the growth of certain infection-causing bacterias in humans (3). There have been studies done to test on the credibility of aloe vera as a faster treatment on burns. One study found that aloe vera reduced the healing time by 9 days, in comparison to other types of medication and gels (4). Other types of wounds however, were found to be inconclusive when treated with aloe vera versus other types of medication.
Basically, aloe vera has proven to be a good remedy for burns, but not so much for other types of wounds. However, its antibacterial properties would be useful for open wounds or thin cuts (e.g. when the skin next to your lips split open from the cold weather).
There have also been various studies done on aloe vera's usefulness in improving the skin's elasticity. One study found that topical application of aloe vera improved skin elasticity over a 90 day period and increased collagen production (5). Another study found that topical application of aloe vera reduced erythema but increased the skin's dryness (6).
There's a lack of evidence as to whether or not aloe vera is useful for improving our skin's elasticity and for getting rid of erythema (redness of the skin that is usually caused by our skin's negative reaction to something ingested or applied). However, if you find that one brand's aloe vera is having positive effects on your skin's elasticity, don't be afraid to stop using it just because there's a lack of academic studies on this subject! Skincare products have various effects on people, and skin elasticity may be something that is just too variant for it to have a widespread effect.
Aloe vera can also be drank! It is found in many drinks (usually only found in Asian supermarkets, but I did see a few at a 7-11). I've seen many various brands before, but the image above is probably the most iconic bottle of aloe vera juice. There's also flavours now! I remember buying a mango or peach flavoured aloe juice. Supposedly aloe vera juice helps our skin radiance, but there are no studies backing that up, so take that with a grain of salt.
To recap, aloe vera is useful as a moisturizer, burn remedy, and antibacterial gel. It is relatively inexpensive, and can be found in a variety of products now, but the higher the percentage of aloe vera that is contained, the better. Different percentages of aloe vera gel can be found all over the Internet, and I'll include some links below to various popular brands. Most people I know swear by the Nature Republic's gel, but I'll have to get my hands on 3W Clinic's after I finish my Nature Republic tub.
I hope that was informational! That's all from me, so please come back on Friday, when I release the next post in this series!
Sources:
(1) http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-607-aloe.aspx?activeingredientid=607&activeingredientname=aloe
(2) http://www.lilyofthedesert.com/common-uses-for-aloe-vera/
(3) http://authoritynutrition.com/8-proven-health-benefits-of-aloe-vera/
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17499928
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2883372/
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4078333/
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