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Grown in tropical areas worldwide, aloe vera is a beautiful succulent plant with medicinal properties. You can grow it indoors as a low-maintenance houseplant which does double-duty as natural burn cream. It’s often used as an ingredient in lotions and ointments, and is also available in gel form for topical application.
Aloe vera can be used to treat burns (including sunburn), minor cuts, and to clear acne. You can use the gel from the plant directly, applying it to affected areas. It also contains enzymes and vitamins that treat dry skin.
Some people are allergic to aloe vera, and this can cause redness, itching, swelling, and difficulty in breathing. Test the product in a small area before using it for the first time. Additionally, aloe vera can sometimes make skin rashes worse, and ingesting aloe can lead to stomach pain, cramps, and other negative side-effects.
A scar can form anywhere the skin is broken deeply enough to damage surrounding skin cells. With acne, most superficial blemishes will heal cleanly, leaving no visible evidence of prior breakouts. However, in the case of cystic acne, when a clogged pore leads to infection that travels deep into the dermis, ruptured cysts can break the follicle wall and cause the infection to damage surrounding skin cells. Collagen helps to repair the damage but leaves the skin more firm and tight than the rest of your skin. Some types of acne scarring leave a concave shape, called a pockmark. Contrary to some belief, not all acne scars are caused by picking or popping your blemishes. Some occur even if the acne is allowed to heal without picking.
To prevent sun damage from making acne scars more visible, it’s best to moisturize daily and wear sunscreen. Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals that damage cells and speed up aging. Ingredients and nutrients like acai oil, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extract, retinol/vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, caffeine, alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid are all beneficial for preventing and reducing acne scarring. Jojoba oil is also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin.
aloe vera may be effective for acne scars, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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