Aloe vera is a popular plant in the skincare world! It’s been a natural remedy for thousands of years. This plant has many benefits, both for health and beauty. We can usually see it in products like gels, creams, and even supplements. Curious what are the positive benefits? Let’s read this article thoroughly, Sereni-Trees!
Natural Skin Superstar, Aloe Vera!
Aloe vera is a plant with thick, fleshy leaves. Inside, it contains a clear, transparent gel. This gel contains many active compounds, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. Of course, these compounds have healing properties for the skin. Benefits include:
- Healing burns
Aloe vera is famous for its ability to heal burns, including minor burns and sunburns. The gel from this plant provides a cooling and soothing effect. This can certainly reduce pain and speed up the healing process. For those of you who are fighting inflamed acne or skin inflammation, you can really use this ingredient because it also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can accelerate skin tissue repair.
- Moisturize the skin
One of the biggest benefits of aloe vera is its ability to moisturize the skin. Aloe vera gel is easily absorbed by the skin, making it ideal for both dry and oily skin types. Regular use of aloe vera can help keep skin moisturized, especially after bathing or sunbathing.
As a bonus point, aloe vera skincare products usually don’t leave a sticky and uncomfortable feeling! However, if you have very dry skin, you may want to supplement your skincare with other moisturizing products.
- Overcoming acne
Experiencing stubborn acne? This natural ingredient has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce acne. Especially if the type of acne is inflammatory such as pustules and nodules. Using aloe vera on acne-prone skin can reduce symptoms of redness and swelling. Miraculous isn’t it?
Health Benefits
It’s certainly not just for skin health! Aloe vera is an important component for maintaining internal health. First, digestive health. Regular consumption of aloe vera in the form of juice or supplements can benefit the digestive system. This natural ingredient can help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and improve gut health! Some studies have also shown that aloe vera can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that can cause gastric ulcers.
In addition, we can also maintain oral health with this ingredient. Aloe vera products in the form of toothpaste and mouthwash can reduce plaque and inflammation of the gums. Not only that, aloe vera is effective for treating oral problems such as mouth ulcers and irritation due to the use of braces. Wow, that’s so great! Are Sereni-Trees interested in trying it out?
Usage Tips and Side Effects
Looking at the positive benefits of this natural ingredient, there are 2 ways it can be used. Examples are topical and internal use:
- Topical Usage
To get the benefits of aloe vera, we can use it by rubbing it with skincare products made from this natural ingredient. But if we use it directly from the plant, simply cut the aloe vera leaves and take the gel. This gel can be directly applied to problematic skin, such as burns, irritation, or acne. Pst, you can even apply it to your hair!
- Internal Usage
For consumption, we can add aloe vera gel to smoothies or make aloe vera juice by mixing the gel with water or other fruit juices. Make sure to consume aloe vera in reasonable amounts as overuse can cause side effects such as diarrhea.
Everything should be used in moderation, not too much or too little. While aloe vera is generally safe, there are some side effects that we should be aware of. Topical use of aloe vera can cause skin irritation in some people, especially those who are allergic to plants from the onion family, such as garlic or onion. It’s best to do a patch test or consult a dermatologist beforehand!
Not only that, we must also use aloe vera internally with caution. Aloe vera contains compounds that act as laxatives and can cause diarrhea and dehydration if consumed in large quantities. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under the age of 12 should avoid consuming aloe vera without consulting a doctor.
Plant your own Aloe Vera!
Lazy to buy skincare products? Relax, aloe vera is a plant that is quite easy to take care of, it is not difficult to take care of at home. This plant needs about six to eight hours of sunlight per day and only needs to be watered when the soil is completely dry. Aloe vera is also very suitable for us to grow in pots, so it can grow both indoors and outdoors, depending on the climate. It can enhance the look of our homes too!
If you already have your own aloe vera plant, you can harvest the leaves for fresh gel. To do this, select a thick leaf from the outside of the plant, cut it close to the base, and then extract the gel. This fresh aloe vera gel can usually be used directly or stored in the refrigerator for a few days. It’s so easy, isn’t it? Let’s plant aloe vera plants at home!
Alternative Natural Materials
Are you allergic or not compatible with aloe vera? You can try some natural ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter. These two natural ingredients can moisturize the skin, have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties. You can find bodycare products containing these two natural ingredients in Serenitree body wash and body lotion!
In conclusion, everything in excess is not necessarily good. So make sure to do your research first and be consistent in your daily skincare routine, Sereni-Trees! Hope this article helps!