Aloe Vera: Centuries of Effective Skin Care Products

 

Used at least since the 16th century BCE, aloe vera contains a number of biologically active ingredients and phytochemicals that are beneficial to your skin.  Mentioned in the New Testament, aloe vera has also been used in ancient Chinese and Egyptian medicine for a number of complaints, including the treatment of burns and a number of skin complaints such as eczema.

 

It has been used to soothe the pain of shingles, treat psoriasis and also facial edema, and is believed to ease constipation and the symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), support the cardiovascular system and also the immune system.

 

However, it is for its use in skin care that most people are familiar with aloe vera. Amongst other properties, it increases the availability of oxygen to the skin, strengthening it and supporting the growth of new skin tissue. However, in order for a skin preparation to be effective, it must contain an appreciable quantity of aloe vera extract, and those containing only small percentages should be avoided.

 

Another property of the plant is that it can initiate uterine contractions, and so should not be used by pregnant women – particularly internally.  Neither should children take it internally.  That said, it is one of the most popular types of skin care product available.

 

What phytochemicals do aloe vera contain that offer these remarkable skin care properties?  There is certainly no single ingredient responsible for them all, and in fact over 150 have been found.  The term ‘phytochemical’ means nothing more than ‘plant chemical’ – in other words, they are chemicals, but natural ones contained in plants, and that offer health benefits.

 

Aloe vera contains six of the B vitamins plus choline and a number of minerals important for healthy skin. It also contains the antibacterial and antiviral anthraquinones that clear pus from wounds and acne pustules, essential and non-essential amino acids needed for healthy skin growth, plant sterols with anti-inflammatory properties, and a large number of other antibacterial substances such as salicylic acid and saponins, among others that help to maintain the health of your body in general, and of your skin in particular.

 

Not yet mentioned are the antioxidants.  These important substances help to destroy small molecules known as free radicals that are responsible for many adverse health effects.  One of these is atherosclerosis, caused by free radical oxidation of LDL lipids that carry cholesterol around your blood stream to where it is needed.

 

Although cholesterol has a bad press, we could not live without it.  However, free radical oxidation of the low density lipids cause plaques of cholesterol to be deposited in your artery walls, leading eventually to cardiovascular disease that can be fatal.  Antioxidants destroy free radicals as they are generated, and help to maintain your health.

 

This is also true of your skin.  Free radical oxidation of skin cells destroy them, and make you look older than you really are by creating wrinkles and premature liver spots, those brown marks in your skin caused by oxidation of fatty deposits under your skin. Aloe vera contains a large variety of antioxidants, including Vitamins, A, C and E, antioxidant polysaccharides and flavanoids, and also the mineral antioxidants, zinc and selenium.

 

It therefore contains a powerful broth of natural chemicals that are fatal to free radicals of every kind, and helps to keep your skin looking youthful and fresh, even when exposed to the hottest sun.  UV in sunlight is a prime cause of free radical generation, but they also arise from our natural metabolism as well as from exposure to pollutants.

 

Of all the natural substances beneficial to your skin, aloe vera is likely the most widely known, and rightly so due to its extensive arsenal of biologically active natural substances and its easy accessibility.