I like to do my skin care with aloe vera. Which of these 16 skin conditions below could aloe vera help? I decided to look up a number of skin problems and consider how many I would respond to with aloe vera. I've surprised myself with just in how many situations I am convinced it would be wisest to apply aloe vera as a gel, as an ointment or lotion - and also to drink aloe vera juice.
1. Acne - When our hormones are out of wack, and we eat and drink lots of junk food, we will have a problem with acne breaking up through the pores of our skin - usually on our face and neck! That's because the oil in our pores wants to unload the inflammation and bursts to the surface. I know; I kept busy bursting those bumps and pressing out the pus as a teen! Nowadays we are taught not to do that for it can spread infection and cause scars. It is only in the last couple of decades of my life that I've discovered aloe vera. I both drink it, and spread it on my face. (And any spot that itches). Now total strangers often stop me to ask about my clear and healthy looking skin. They want to know what products I use. - I shrug in astonishment.
Later, I think, well it has to be the aloe vera! I don't use anything else.
2. Aging spots - Those brown pigment spots on your face and harms, or hands? You thought they came from aging? Not so. They come from sunlight on your skin except that your skin cells are forgetting how to handle that sunshine. It is wise to see a dermatologist to rule out a skin cancer, but beyond that, there are many simple home remedies you can try, including bleaching creams, acid peels, etc. You know what I think, right? Apply aloe vera gel or creams, and drink aloe vera juice!
3. Athlete's Foot - is a contagious fungal skin infection that shows up on your feet, most often between your toes, for that is where moisture collects and breeds more infection. The patches of skin can burn, itch, and turn red. They can even blister and become open sores. Doctors recommend topical anti-fungal lotions, or will prescribe stronger stuff for the more severe cases. You can help speed healing by keeping your shoes clean and try, fresh socks every day, and especially your feet too! Don't walk barefoot in public areas such as pools, or locker rooms. I have no experience with athlete's foot, but if it is an infection, aloe vera juice should make a suitable detox method.
4. Eczema - some people call any dry, red and itchy skin eczema. My Gra'ma got it from dish detergents, and I recall several sessions with it when she had to sit all day with her hands in her lap, waiting for my Mom to come cut away the dry, curling-away skin. When the skin layer underneath had matured enough to become her new surface skin, and all the old skin was cut away, she could go about her housework and gardening again. We didn't know anything about aloe vera then, but I wish we had. I would have tried it on her hands!
5. Flush - Some think they blush too easily, but in some cases that flush is quite severe. The face or other areas became red, and bumpy with pus-filled pimples that join to become large patches. Doctors have prescribed vitamin A, which is a natural antibiotic. Nowadays they work with lasers if the condition doesn't easily clear up. I would be inclined to drink lots of aloe vera juice so that the internal blood system and whole body could be healed and cleansed from the inside out.
6. Herpes Simplex Virus - Commonly known as cold sores - they appear on or in the mouth and nose. They last 8-10 days and can easily spread from person to person. The are brought on by fever, stress, hormonal changes, or too much sunshine. Doctors will prescribe antiviral tablets or creams. I've found that dabbing Tree Tea Oil, or Oregano oil on the outside of my cheek about where the cold sore is inside, at night helps to speed the healing. But I usually increase my aloe vera juice intake too, and gargle with salt water.
7. Hives - raised welts that burn, itch or sting, and that last from minutes to days, caused by allergies or extreme temperatures. (Yes, you can be allergic to the cold weather in winter!). Usually, antihistamines are recommended, but one can get tired of that, and after a while they lose their effectiveness. Smearing some clear aloe vera gel on those hives will be soothing and soon deals with the root cause.
8. Melasma (chloasma) - this is a tan or brown patch on a check, nose, forehead, or chin. Since it happens mostly to pregnant women it is often referred to as the "pregnancy mask." Men do get it too, however. If these spots don't clear up when the baby is born, there are prescription creams or laser treatments your doctor may recommend. Just beware of spending time in the sun, as that will make the patches darker. I believe there are specific sunscreens that may protect you. But what could it hurt to try aloe vera too?
9.Moles - sometimes these are known as birthmarks. We may get them when still quite young, They can be single or in groups, and from flat in the skin patches, or raised like a tiny appendage. They are usually brown but can change in colour and sometimes even grow hair. If they change appearance, begin to itch, or bleed, it is high time to check with a dermatologist, for it could be cancerous. (Hmm... I should have tried aloe vera on mine; then I could say for sure).
10. Poison Ivy reaction - Some people get a rash when their skin touches the oil coating on poison ivy, oak, or sumac leaves. It starts red, swells and turns into itchy blisters some 12-to 72 hours after contact. There are medical treatments . . . but I would apply aloe vera gel too. If it doesn't help, it would at least be harmless.
11. Psoriasis - thick red patches covered with white or silvery scales - usually on your scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. New skin is grown by our immune system too quickly. Things usually do level out and returning to normal, but psoriasis can return over and over. Doctors will prescribe medications, light therapy and ointments, sometimes as injections. I've never had psoriasis, but I think it would be good sense to try aloe vera gel on it. Also to drink aloe vera juice for internal healing.
12. Rash - raised dots that turn into painful blisters - maybe even shingles - can last two weeks to indefinitely! People usually try creams, antiviral drugs, steroids, or ante-depressants. Personally, I found that applying aloe vera gel gets results most quickly and without side effects.
13. Seborrheic keratoses - often mistaken for moles or skin cancer, these are growths that appear as you get older. They may be dark, they may be multicoloured, but normally with a grainy surface - sometimes smooth or waxy. Since they are harmless you may ignore them, unless they get in your way, (I used to hook one on my back with my fingernail when dressing, so my doctor removed it).
14. Shingles - When a stripe or patch of skin on one side of your body, or the other, becomes sensitive, itchy and tingles, with raised dots that turn into blisters - more experienced adults will quickly say to you, "Oh-oh! You have shingles!" A serious outbreak can last about two weeks - much like the childhood version, chicken pox. However, when I was caring for my parents in our home town, I observed that when any adult got shingles, they were usually stuck with it until they died. It sort of came and went in waves. However, I can insist that I cured my Dad's shingles in four days with mega oral doses of aloe vera gel right from my plants. I've since had singles myself, and discovered that the aloe vera helped but what sped up the healing was when I was advised to take mega doses of vitamin B12. I did, and that licked the problem. Doctors will prescribe antibiotics, various creams, and even steroids or anti-depressants. Go that route if you wish. I know what I prefer to do.
15. Skin Tags - small flaps of skin that sprout, usually on older women, on the neck, back, armpits, or under their breasts, or in the groin territory. Usually they are painless, unless their clothing chaffs and rubs against them. Doctors can easily freeze or burn them off.
16. Warts - they may usually be harmless and painless on our hands and fingers, but they are caused by the human papillomavirus, and they are contagious, so they are not all that minor. You may have to cover them with a bandage to keep from picking at it! There are medications that can be applied to freeze or burn them off. In severe cases, there are solutions like laser, chemicals and surgery.
As you see, there are some skin conditions that I have not had any experience with, or I did before I knew about aloe vera, but for just about every condition described above, I know I would reach for my jug of aloe vera juice in the fridge, and my aloe vera gel or ointment without hesitation.
Tell me what you would do! Of what you have done and what kind of results you saw.
My first preference would be raw aloe vera gel cut from a live plant, but that is not so easy to obtain. So next best would be Aloe Vera Gelly by Forever. It comes in a tube. Because it is a bit sticky, you will want to give it a few minutes to get absorbed into your skin before you put clothing over it.
A third option is aloe vera capsules. However, they tend to be rather strong for most people, and can give you the "runs" as they rinse out your digestive tract. I keep some on hand for when I really want the bowels to get emptied. Especially when there is gas and a stomach ache.
With these supplies in the house, I often let several years go between times when I feel I need a doctor. I can manage my own health - thank you.
Where do you get such an All-in-1 first aid kit for home or travel, or beach? Solution: Aloe Vera Gelly!
In fact, there are many other companies now producing aloe vera capsules and ointments. Just check on Amazon to see a broad selection. The thing is, then you have to try them out to find out what kind of side effects they may give you. Some are rather diluted and some are really too strong for regular use. That kind of experimentation can get rather expensive.
Ah yes. Aloe vera is not just good for crisis skin ailments, but applying it daily to our faces give us that younger than you are look. For that I choose to use just one tube of Aloe propolis Creme. It only requires 2 to 4 small squeeezes of the creme to spread on my face to get, and maintain, beautiful skin tone and texture. It lasts for many months! This is by Forever Living as well. For that matter, Forever has a whole range of cosmetics with aloe vera in them. I have just never been much into makeup so I have not tried them all out. (Well, besides a tube of lipstick that lasts a long time).
If you should be interested in these extra specific products, you will want to read this page on the Forever Living website.