The ancient Greeks and Romans used aloe vera for treating wounds, cuts, and inflammation. It is believed that Egyptian Queen Cleopatra used aloe vera gel as a part of her beauty regime.
Regardless of age, acne is one of the common skin problems faced by most of us. Especially teenagers are more prone to acne, due to the hormonal changes.
Other factors that trigger acne are improper skin care, unhealthy eating habits, and stress.
Let’s find out 3 ways this herb heals acne and pimples and treats the scars caused by them.
How to Use Aloe Vera for Acne?
1. Apply Pure Aloe Vera Gel To Acne Topically
The simplest way of using aloe vera for acne is to apply its gel over the affected skin, the skin where you have acne.
Get this:
- Aloe Vera leaf OR pure aloe vera gel
Do this:
- Wash your skin with mild soap, preferably antibacterial soap, and water
- Pat dry your skin.
- Now cut open the aloe leaf with the help of a sharp knife and squeeze out its clear gel.
- Apply this gel to your acne ridden skin.
- Let it dry for sometime
- Forget it.
- Do this twice a day, preferably in the morning after having bath and at night before you go to bed.
- Apply aloe vera gel to your skin even after your acne heals as this will prevent further acne breakouts.
When you apply aloe vera gel regularly, it helps protect your skin against the ill effects of environment. It also protects you from bacterial buildup that causes acne.
2. Aloe Vera with Lemon Juice
This face mask not only clears pimples but also works as natural skin brighter.
Process 1:
- Mix a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice in 1 – 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel or juice.
- Apply on the affected skin and leave for 10 minutes or overnight (if applied night).
- Wash it off with warm water followed by cold water.
- Pat the skin dry and apply some oil free moisturizer.
- Repeat regularly
- Note:You can also add few drops of water if you have sensitive skin.
- Alternatively, lime or grapefruit juice could also be used.
Process 2: With Egg White
- Mix 1 egg white (whipped), 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice in 2 tablespoons of minced aloe vera pulp.
- Apply this as a face mask, wash it with water after it dries completely.
- Continue applying this mixture regularly.
Note: Lemon and egg white can dry out the skin which can in turn aggravate the acne. So, we recommend applying oil-free moisturizer after rinsing off the application.
3. Aloe Vera And Turmeric For Acne
Ingredients
- 1-2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon gram flour (or chickpea flour)
Preparation
- Mix all the ingredients to form a paste. Add a few drops of water if the paste is too thick.
How To Apply
- Apply this on the face and let it dry for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
- Repeat this twice a week.
How Does It Work?
Turmeric is a potent herb that treats acne. Its antimicrobial properties kill the P.acnes bacteria while its anti-inflammatory properties reduce the swelling. The antioxidants it contains help in the healing process of a pimple and also prevents scar formation.
Precautions
Turmeric can stain your skin. You can gently rub some lemon juice to get rid of this yellow stain.
It takes just a few days of regular application of aloe vera to notice a difference in your acne. They will start healing faster than they usually do, with less discomfort and swelling. Within two to three weeks, you will start noticing a difference in your acne scars as well.
It is important to remember that aloe vera does not cure acne, but reduces the infection, swelling, inflammation, and redness associated with it. With its biologically active components, it fastens the healing process. Using it regularly over the course of time can also prevent breakouts in the future.
So, why wait? Make aloe vera your friend while your friends start envying you for your radiant and glowing skin.
Did we miss out on any other ways to use aloe? Do let us know in the comments section below.
