Everything You Need To Know About Aloe Vera Gel
Every week it seems like there are a flurry of new products that come out, each claiming to be the best and most effective way to help heal a range of ailments.
Each product claims to be the newest and most complex method for providing relief from foot pain to burns. One product, that occurs naturally and actually can deliver on bold claims is Aloe Vera.
Aloe vera gel and latex products make use of a plant that has been around for thousands of years, one that can be found across multiple continents and cultures. One thing they all have in common is that most swear by the efficacy of aloe vera to treat problems successfully.
In this article you will find out...
What Is An Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant that is known by many names. It is a plant that is similar to that of cacti with long triangle shaped leaves that extend with teeth-like extensions poking out from the edges of the leaves.
It is soft to the touch, and grows between two to three feet in size. It’s one of the most durable plants due to its relatively low needs to both survive and reproduce.
What Makes Aloe Vera Special
It doesn’t require multiple plants to reproduce or require pollination. If one piece is broken off or a daughter plant is made, it can grow and mature on its own.
It essentially reproduces through a process that is similar to making clones because once it is done, the composition of the subsequent plant’s DNA is identical in most ways.
This means that it's easy for the plant to spread and be cultivated because it can work in any environment whether indoor or outdoor, as it is popular as a house plant in modern usage.
Aloe vera’s composition makes it great for coating and protecting wounds. It is made of anthracene hydroxyl and aloins A and B with the addition of sugars and enzymes that help. Aloe vera has phytochemicals that make it perfect for helping protect and heal wounds.
The addition of vitamins being found in the gel itself contains zinc, magnesium, sodium and calcium, as well as vitamins B, E, and C. This means that usage can add natural nutrients to injuries and potentially facilitate faster healing.
Aloe Vera’s Importance
Aloe vera’s rich history is due to a few things:
- It’s capable of surviving in harsh, dry climates with little water due to its similarity to cacti plants.
- While it can dry out, it’s much harder to, and the gel composition of the plant helps retain liquid for far longer than other medicinal plants, making it easier to convert into a medication or ship.
- It’s use a therapeutic tool for treating a wide range of conditions.
- It’s accessibility has made it easy to cultivate and use. It has been found in trinidad, tobago, India, Sudan and more.
Aloe Vera Benefits
Aloe Vera has been used for treating a wide range of different ailments successfully. It has been used in the past to treat everything from bowel irritation to bacterial infections, heart related problems, and even seizures. It’s efficacy varies depending on its application.
Aloe vera can be used in a few ways:
- It can be taken orally.
- It can be used topically.
The oral use of aloe vera has most often been used to treat constipation until 2004. Aloe vera quickly clears the system of any difficult to pass irritants, and has been documented as highly effective. It has also been orally used to treat heartburn, inflammation in the throat, burns on the tongue, and more.
The problem with oral treatment lies in the dosage. If too much aloe gel is taken, it can build up in the body and manifest in problems that occur as side effects. One of the most insidious is that of abdominal cramping that can register as an 8 or 9 on the pain scale for some.
The reason is due to the low level toxicity that unprocessed aloe vera can have on the body. Aloe vera gel taken orally in too large of doses can make the effects of other medication being taken less likely to work well. To animals, aloe vera in high doses can provide fatal or poisonous which can manifest in
- Aloe Vera can treat constipation, burns, and wounds.
- It can foster healthier growth in hair and remove acne by helping keep skin and hair healthy.
- Unprocessed, aloe vera with high aloids can be toxic, but processed you can experience the benefits without the side effects if taken orally. Topical application of aloe vera usually manifests in little to no side effects.
- It can provide pain relief and aid digestion.
Does It Work As Well As Marketed
One of the biggest debates that happens over Aloe Vera is over how well it actually works, what it works well for, and what's the best way to use it.
Medical investigations can be conflicting or inconclusive, not to mention often they aren’t properly managed when checking for a specific effect. The likelihood of bias also plays a role in finding a conclusive result regarding the effects of any herb.
That being said, Aloe Vera gel works well. In one study, it was found that patients that used aloe vera gel vs. other options healed as much as ten days sooner than those that used alternative medications.
Aloe vera can come in two forms:
- Gel
- Latex
The gel is a substance that comes from the middle or center of leaves. This gel contains many of the best nutrients within its cells that when applied directly to burns, cuts, and scrapes helps to relieve irritation and pain.
It’s also this substance that when ingested can lead to diarrhea if unprocessed. The gel, like the latex, should be applied topically.
The latex which is a yellow tinted substance, comes from just below the surface of the leaves. The leaves themselves have a thick mucus membrane that helps protect from bacteria, so this latex is often protected and easy to apply just by breaking off a piece of the aloe.
As mentioned before, the best way to enjoy the benefits of aloe vera minus the side effects is by using it where it is an ingredient in an overall product. This allows the user to get the most out of its use, as it's imperative to include other supplements for a more comprehensive solution as part of a dermatological treatment.
The Different Types Of Aloe Vera Products
Aloe vera doesn’t have to be consumed or used in its raw state. There are many products that incorporate aloe vera into its composition, either as a supplement to help with cell regeneration or durability or as a vitamin source.
Aloe vera products can include:
- Aloe Vera Edibles
- Aloe Vera Creams
- Aloe Vera Gels
- & More
Aloe Vera Edibles
Aloe vera edibles can come in the form of protein and nutrient based bars and gel like pastes. Edible aloe vera is usually part of a more intricate concoction that is meant to offer anything from bowel irritability relief to weight loss. When people ask “are aloe vera gels edible”, the simple answer is yes.
The cost is usually low due to the wide accessibility of the ingredients. It can be cheaper than other alternatives for diet supplementation and works well both due to aloe vera’s natural laxative qualities.
Aloe Vera Creams
Most aloe vera creams come mixed with vitamin supplements meant to aid in the absorption or use of the nutrients that aloe provides and vice versa. Aloe vera creams are inexpensive, as they tend to come in packs or at the least in larger quantities.
The reason is because most application therapies require direct application topically at least twice a day, whether in the morning or night or multiple intervals throughout the day.
Like any ointment application it requires a thorough washing of the skin, and careful attention to its impact. If you plan to use one be sure you aren’t allergic. The application usually requires a large amount to be used.
When using aloe vera creams, ensure that the product uses aloe vera, as many claim to have aloe and end up having talc, a substitute that does more harm than good.
Aloe Vera Gels
Aloe vera gels are great for skin and hair damage. They don’t require much for their application. You can easily remove it from the plant and apply it directly to the skin and hair to enjoy some of the benefits.
Aloe Vera gels coat and develop the hair, nails, and skin cells that it comes into contact with and rarely ever has any negative impact besides allergy. Later on, we will go into how they work well when combined with out vitamins and supplements to create a powerful solution for many dermatology and hair problems.
Aloe Vera Gel Vs. Other Types Of Products
Many people ask “can aloe vera be used as a moisturizer”, and the answer is yes. Aloe Vera gel when compared to other products is a safer alternative. It has naturally moisturizing properties due to its almost slimy natural texture.
While that doesn’t sound appealing when combined with other ingredients it feels natural on the skin, and does the job of keeping your skin moisturized without feeling oily. Other products require the use of talc, which can cause skin cancer and other nasty side effects that in some cases have latent reproductive implications.
Many comparable products are far more expensive, and are usually nowhere near as effective as the hype makes it out to be.
How Can Aloe Vera Benefit Your Hair & Skin
While we have touched on the range of products that aloe vera can be found in and talked about the potency and capability of aloe vera gel and latex, we haven’t gone specifically into what they can do for the hair and skin.
One reason aloe vera is such an essential ingredient in face masks, lip gels and more is for its healing capacity. Aloe vera gel is good at fighting bacteria and other pathogens that can cause infection or exacerbation of an injury.
While this has great applications for serious injuries and problems, even for the mundane pimple it means it can get the job done more easily and far more safely than comparable option. Aloe Vera has become a massive industry in recent years as the effects it’s products offer become more and more diverse.
First, the moisturizing power that aloe vera gel offers is robust due to the composition of aloe vera itself. The gel itself is composed overwhelmingly of water. While the water prevents immediate drying out upon application, that isn’t alone what makes it help foster healthier and fuller skin and hair.
The complex amino acid chains that can be found in the gel helps to strengthen and rebuild damaged tissue as well as stave off irritants. That, when coupled with the aforementioned vitamins that can be applied directly to the skin and hair mean that your hair and face isn’t only protected, it’s enhanced.
With each application of aloe vera products, your body becomes more capable of defending itself from the visual impact of everything from disease to aging.
The other ingredient in aloe that makes it so potent is acemannan. When broken down, it is basically a purifier for your body whilst replacing the toxins with what our skin and hair need to strengthen and flourish.
These are still only a few of the ailments that can be treated by using aloe vera gel. As long as it is oriented towards hair and skin recovery, purging, or healing, aloe vera gel can be used. Next, we’ll move on to how you can directly apply aloe vera for healthier and smoother skin.
How To Apply Aloe Vera Gel
Using Aloe Vera Gel is easier than you’d imagine. Aloe vera gel can be utilized at any point in the year, no matter what season.
The limitations are only on what your particular ailment will allow in terms of treatment. If you have moisture prone skin, that causes you to sweat, there are aloe products that can help improve your skin without irritating it.
If your lips crack in the cold, there are aloe lip balms that can help prevent the painful cracking from occuring. Aloe gel should be applied straight to the surface area of whatever ailment you are attempting to treat. One way to improve the ability of aloe vera gel to heal and use its properties is to make compounded solutions.
This requires using herbs, liquids, and pastes that can be picked up fairly easily. You will blend them together into a mixture that can be applied to the face, to wounds that are healing or whatever the afflicted area requires. It is a great solution for those that don’t want to spend a lot of money on just any recommendation.
A Gel Treatment For Dried Out Skin
- Grab a small sampler bowl from your kitchen.
- It should be one that allow you to mix contents without it spilling over the edge.
- Use a wooden or metallic spoon, and measure out two tablespoons of aloe vera gel and place it into the bottom of the bowl.
- Get a bit of pure organic raw honey and add half of a tablespoon into the aloe vera.
- Follow up by adding in two tablespoons of organic milk with non carbonated water.
- You should stir the concoction thoroughly to create a face mask that you should apply and leave on for fifteen to thirty minutes.
- After time is up, thoroughly wash your face and apply a warm towel for a minute, pressing it lightly to remove any remnants.
An Aloe Vera Deep Facial Wash
- Grab a small bowl, fill it with about an 8th of a cup of lemon juice. The acidity of the lemon juice will help with irritation due to its acidity and antioxidant properties.
- Add in 3/4ths of a cup of organic aloe gel and sugar.
- The aloe is what helps get into the deepest parts of your pores to excavate the worst of the pollutants while the sugar removes the surface layer.
- Mix them all together thoroughly and consider adding a small amount of water to help make it a bit less binding if you’re looking for less of a coat and more of a quick wash.
The Purifying Face Mask
- Break out the bowl again, this time put the gel in first, coating the bottom and allowing a good amount to build up in the center amounting to about half a tablespoon.
- Hand chop a 1/4th of a cup of walnuts and then carefully mix them with honey with a bit of water added to help loosen it up.
- Place the walnuts and honey into a spiralizer or a blender and blend until its a pasty substance.
- Mix the walnut and honey into the bowl of the aloe until it is homogenous or as close as possible and apply it to your face. Many ask “is it safe to apply aloe vera gel on the face overnight?”, it is, and you can if you have the discipline, if not feel free to quickly remove it after 25-30 minutes.
The Healing Mix For Easily Irritable Skin
- This time you will want a container big enough to store the paste for the long term. This one requires daily application so it's easier to make it in week long batches than in one time uses. Consider using a tupperware container so that the ingredients stay as fresh as possible.
- You should use at least a tube of organic aloe vera gel. Squeeze or scoop it out into the tupperware container.
- Measure out two cups of greek yogurt. Throw that into the tupperware container and lightly mix it with the aloe until its homogenous.
- Measure out one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and add that to the mix, stirring as its incorporated slowly.
- Add in about one cup of cucumber water or coconut water and blend it all together into one paste.
- Apply it lavishly onto the skin and wait for 20 minutes.
- After you are ready, thoroughly wash your face with cold water and then apply a hot or warm towel lightly.
Everyone of these can be adjusted to fit those with allergies. For the sake of diversity, we included options for anyone that wants to test the effects of aloe whatever their allergy or budget will allow.
Closing Notes
Aloe vera is a formidable and reasonably priced solution for those that suffer from eczema, psoriasis, and any other dermatological irritation from pubescent acne and beyond.
While the toxicity can be a point of worry, as long as your aloe vera is processed into the form of a gel or other substance the likelihood of it being anything even remotely negative is minimal.
The best way to ensure that you get the best possible product quality is to ensure that you spend an appropriate amount of time researching the sources of your products.
We spend time going into depth, reviewing every quality product we can find that has aloe vera and we narrow them down to the best and most effective. You can check out our buying guide.
In the end, aloe vera like any medication is only as effective as the baseline of health that you maintain. Everything from your diet to your exercise routines play a role in how well your body is able to recover or maintain your overall health.
If you want the full natural effects that aloe vera offers, be sure to incorporate other supplemental medications, ointments, and creams into your regiment.
