WHY DO WE USE ALOE VERA FOR SKIN?

Aloe vera is a succulent, xerophytic perennial plant known to greeks as a panacea of health for 2000 years.

 Aloe vera is found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. In India, it is found in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamilnadu.

 Aloe vera has succulent leaves. The leaves when cut show three different layers- the inner layer of clear gel, the middle thick layer that has latex and yellow sap, and the Outer layer.

The outer layer is protective and synthetic in function.

 The different components aloe vera

  The succulent leaf of aloe vera has 90% water and other components that have topical skin application, and oral application.

 The components include Vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugar, amino acids, fatty acids,  hormones, and gluco-protein.

 The function of different components of aloe vera

 Vitamins

  Many vitamins are found in aloe vera, for example, vitamin A Vitamin C and Vitamin E.These three vitamins have antioxidant properties.

 Vitamin B12 and Folic acid are also found in aloe vera, these help in the synthesis of hemoglobin that increases oxygen supply in the blood.

 Enzymes

 Eight known enzymes are found in aloe vera and they are known for anti-inflammatory action. 

Minerals

Many minerals are found in aloe vera that including calcium, chromium, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, and zinc. These minerals have antioxidant properties, and they regulate enzyme activity

 Sugars

 The monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), and polysaccharides are found in aloe vera, mainly polymannose, which helps in the hydration of the skin.

 Amino acid

 Overall 20 types of amino acids are found in aloe vera, of these eight are essential amino acids.

 Fatty acids

 Cholesterol, plant sterols, lupeol are found in aloe vera gel. These fatty acids especially lupeol has antiseptic activity.

 Hormone

 Gibberellic acid and auxin, these have healing properties.

Gluco protein

Glycoproteins are found in aloe vera. These have anti-allergic activity.

Uses of aloe vera

 Aloe Vera Gel is used as a topical skin application or as an oral supplement application

 TOPICAL APPLICATION OF ALOE VERA

 The topical application of aloe vera has different uses.

 It increases collagen synthesis increases the elasticity of the skin

It has anti-aging properties as Zn act as a tightening agent for skin

 Aloe vera is known to reduce UV hypersensitivity by suppressing keratinocyte-induced interleukin 10 syntheses.

 Anti-inflammatory activity

Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory. It reduces inflammation in the skin.

 It has healing properties as it increases the production of collagen fibers and increases their binding this will heal wound very fast.

Anti-septic activity

Antiseptic lupeol has antiseptic activity. Aloe vera has along with lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid,  phenol, and sulfur. These components have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities. they reduce pimples and topical skin infections.

 Hydration

 Mucopolysaccharides help in binding water with the skin. This increases the hydration of the skin. It increases elasticity and softens the skin.

 Anti-aging activity

 Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, as well as some minerals such as zinc have anti-aging properties. They increase the activity of anti-aging enzymes, as well as reduce free radicals and remove hydroxyl species present in cells thus reducing oxidative stress of the cell, and slowing their aging.

 Oral application of aloe vera

 Aloe Vera Gel or juice provides antioxidants it has laxative properties that help in clearing the alimentary canal.

 It has analgesic properties.

 It acts as an immunosuppressant for keratinocytes-based interleukin 10 syntheses, which increase allergic activity on the skin.

 Drawbacks

 Aloe vera, in some people, may show skin sensitivity, which may happen due to the presence of anthraquinone in aloe vera juice.

 Some people may show cramps in the stomach due to the oral intake of aloe vera.

WHY DO WE USE ALOE VERA FOR SKIN?

We should use aloe vera because;

It heals the skin.

It reduces inflammation.

It reduces hypersensitivity.

It slows down aging.

It hydrated the skin. 

It tightens the skin.

It removes oxidative stress from the skin.

It protects the skin from infection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

It increases the elasticity of the skin and thus the skin appears young.

It cleanses the skin.

So, use aloe vera for young, clean, healed, radiant and healthy skin.