Aloe gel: the ultimate anti-aging skin cream
By Sari Huhtala
If Cleopatra worked at Sephora she’d be telling you to go home and slather your face with aloe vera. With a track record of thousands of years of medicinal use for diseases, wounds and skin lesions, aloe vera, and its collagen-promoting, skin-regenerating compounds is tops when it comes to skin health.
Boasting over 75 compounds, including minerals, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and water, aloe vera is revered for its anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic, anti-diabetic and wound healing properties, according to a 2019 systemic review published in the Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences.
Cleopatra was on to something by adding aloe vera gel to her beauty regime.
Aloe vera’s regenerative compounds boost collagen production, and increase skin flexibility and decrease skin fragility, according to the review: Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound.
Use it as anti-itch medicine. The magnesium lactate in aloe gel helps stop histamine production, which causes itching and irritation of the skin. Use it to aid in healing of eczema, psoriasis, acne rosacea, herpes, burns, frostbite, ulcers and more.
Aloe is more effective in reducing pain and recovery time for postoperative wounds, like episiotomy, cesarean section, skin biopsy, and other postoperative wounds, than other conventional treatments, the review found.
Aloe vera also boosts the immune system.
Aloe vera gel is likely the easiest, least expensive skin care product available. Simply buy a plant and grow it at home, or pick up a bottle of aloe vera gel from a health food store.
How to use it daily? Smooth a little bit of the aloe gel, where all the goodness is, all over your face. It feels refreshing, dries like a light moisturizing cream would, and gets to work with its antioxidants zapping free radicals that age the skin, and replenishing and rejuvenating your skin.
Looking for a facial mask? Mix it up a bit by blending raw honey and aloe vera gel, then smoothing it all over your face. Let it works its magic for about 20 to 30 minutes then rinse skin with warm water.
Here’s to happy, healthy skin!
(This information is not intended to replace medical advice and treatment from a health care practitioner).
Sari Huhtala is the creator, publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine, which was birthed in 2007. She has over 25 years of experience in journalism and over 15 years of experience as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, and is a holistic chef, offering holistic cooking and edible wilds workshops. She is an organic farmer, wild-crafter and grandmother, who has spent over 20 years navigating a holistic, healthy path for her family. Reach her at friends@thelaughingforest.ca
