Why Aloe Vera Remains One Of The Most Google-Searched Skin Care Ingredients
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Aloe vera is a cactus-like succulent plant with distinctive thick and long spiky leaves that fan out from the plant’s very short stem.
The leaves are grey to greenish in colour, and the edges are lined with small jagged teeth. Inside the leaves is a clear watery gel that is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B12.
There are over 300 species of aloe vera which allows this ‘wonder plant’ to be widely distributed, but its origins began in the Arabian Peninsula.
It is commonly used as a houseplant, but it has so many medicinal uses that include looking after your skin due to its many skin healing properties.
Image | Severin Cabdrian / Unsplash
BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA FOR YOUR SKIN
These are the most common uses of aloe vera when applying it topically to the skin.
It can help to clear up acne, especially when combined with anti-acne cream. Aloe vera is also a natural source of salicylic acids which fights against blackheads and whiteheads.
It has been shown to help fade stretch marks. Although its exact mechanism is unknown, it’s likely to be partly due to its ability to produce hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen.
It soothes eczema and psoriasis. According to Mayo Clinic, using aloe vera extract cream might help to reduce the redness, scaling, itching and inflammation caused by mild to moderate psoriasis. It is also effective in treating bacterial and fungal infections due to the 6 anti-septic agents that aloe vera has which are lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur.
Helps to slow down the ageing process of the skin by supporting the production and release of collagen - improving the skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
It contains 98% water, which helps to moisturise, soothe, and hydrate the skin.
It helps to fade dark spots due to a compound in the plant called ‘aloesin’ which has been shown to prohibit hyperpigmentation of the skin.
It has a cooling effect on first-degree and second-degree burns because of the anti-inflammatory compound called ‘aloin’ which aids skin-healing, but also the antioxidant protein called ‘metallothionein’ that has been found to protect skin from exposure to UV rays.
It is easy to see why aloe vera is so popular for skincare, in fact, it beats many other popular skincare ingredients you might have considered your holy grail.
According to a Google data analysis by Skincare Hero, Aloe Vera was found to be the most searched for ingredient worldwide in 2021.
Image | Skincare Hero
That’s right! From Jamaica to Denmark to Italy, aloe vera reigns supreme.
Skincare Hero also revealed that the most searched query related to the ingredient is 'Does aloe vera clear pimples?
The dermatologist-recommended skincare brand Aveeno’s Oat Repairing Cream is the most sought after aloe vera product. It harnesses the power of aloe vera to restore the moisture barrier and improve skin resilience.
OTHER POPULAR ALOE VERA-CONTAINING PRODUCTS
