Aloe vera is a proven natural healing agent. When using aloe vera for acne, improvement in skin can happen quickly, within a week or two with a topical application. Using the aloe vera gel directly from the plant and applying it right on acne is possible to help heal the inflammation. Applying a processed, safe, topical aloe vera gel may be easier to work with.
When using a plant to obtain the gel, wash the leaf to remove any dirt or debris, break the aloe vera leaf and rub the watery substance/gel right on the acne spots.
The gel won’t cure the acne but it will help relieve the redness and swelling associated with an outbreak. If you use this remedy daily, you will see an improvement in outbreaks—fewer and less inflamed. You can use the aloe vera gel on all kinds of skin problems—cuts, bruises, burns, dry spots, eczema.
Further assist your skin’s appearance, texture and softness by adding several ounces of aloe vera juice to a morning smoothie or glass of orange juice. Adding the gel to a vegetable drink such as carrot or greens works too. Recommendations indicate 2 to 4 ounces of food grade juice twice a day will help your body control the acne from inside and out.
Ingesting the juice has some health warnings attached. Products that contain Aloin could be harmful according to a 2 year study completed by the National Toxicology Program. Aloin is the yellow sap from the plant. Processed aloe juice will have little to no Aloin—check the label for processing information. DO NOT throw the aloe leaf from a plant into the food processor or blender. By doing so, you are running the risk of ingesting the Aloin in the leaf. Over time this could cause harm to you.
You can use aloe vera in many ways:
- Rub the aloe gel directly on acne twice a day.
- Dab on the gel when a cold sore appears or begins to erupt. Do this twice a day to shorten the symptoms.
- Apply the gel to eczema two to three times a day. Continue application for several weeks or longer to see best results.
WARNINGS:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use aloe vera unless directed by a doctor to do so.
- Always consult a doctor before drinking or applying the gel especially in the case of hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome or any other disease connected with digestion and the digestive tract.
- Aloe vera has laxative properties and could cause digestive problems for some people.
Photo is courtesy of srbichara.
