Acne is a skin problem that results from clogged hair follicles; when they are blocked by oil or dead skin cells, pimples form. While the bumps that appear on your face are inconvenient, the side-effects of these breakouts may be worse:
- Inflammation
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
Remember that there is no cure for acne or its symptoms–not even the miraculous aloe vera plant. But aloe vera gel, which comes from the inside of the plant’s leaves, is one of the many treatments for acne, helping to naturally reduce the inflammation, redness, swelling and pain sometimes associated with this bothersome skin disease.
Aloe Vera and Acne
Here are the components of aloe vera that fight acne symptoms:
1. Salicylic acid and Vitamin E gives aloe vera its anti-inflammatory properties. A beta hydroxyl acid, saliculic acid is found in aloe and is responsible for decreasing inflammation– which is the root of most skin problems including acne. Sterols can also be found in aloe; they inhibit acute inflammation. Vitamin E improves the body in a variety of ways, such as by improving circulation, repairing damaged tissues and including decreasing inflammation.
2. Redness and swelling is minimized by aloe’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Many of the fatty acids in aloe, such as campesterol and beta-Sitosterol, as well as its enzymes, like bradykinase, also account for aloe vera’s ability to decrease inflammation–and therefore fight acne redness and swelling as well. Saponin and barbaloin are two antimicrobial compound found in aloe. The former reduces the growth of harmful microorganisms and therefore wards off infection, acting as an antisepsis, and the latter works against a family of bacteria, Mycobaterium. In high concentrations of aloe (more than 60%), these two compounds can fight against the bacteria that causes a pimple to become red and swell.
3. Both aloe’s high magnesium content and fatty acids aid pain relief by acting as an anesthetic. Aloe vera is commonly used to relieve burn pain due to its high magnesium content–and can therefore work to reduce the pain of pimples. In addition, lupeol is one of the fatty acids in aloe, which works as an analgesic pain killer.
Aloe Vera and Acne: What if my Acne Symptoms Worsen?
Chances are the aloe vera is not making your acne worse. You may be having an allergic reaction to the aloe vera gel. Although an adverse reaction to aloe is rare, some may experience itching and redness of the skin as a result. Do not confuse this with aloe as an acne fueler.
To avoid a skin reaction: Test a little aloe vera gel on a small patch of skin, preferably your arm or leg–just avoid highly sensitive areas like the face. If redness or itching occurs, stop use immediately, and do not apply to the face as acne treatment.
carolyn dematteis says
I love your website. Thank you so much for all the valuable information. I learned a lot and enjoy your easy to understand writing style. My question is: How do I preserve an Aloe leaf that has been cut from the plant? Can I put it in the fridge and use it as necessary? How long will it last before it’s useless? Can it go toxic?
Ratan kumar says
everything about aloe vera is correct and i am loving it
saai says
I love aloe Vera . great result
Jaime says
Does it make redness gone? Like cheek redness?
aashi says
my skin is burn from the bleach what can i do plz suggest me
jovi says
I am having pimples 3yrs I am using aloe vera since two weeks as a treatment for pimples
Now that pimples became black in color i thought it was going from my face but in some other spots on my face I am getting one or two pimples small and slightly itchy
jovi says
I am having pimples 3yrs I am using aloe vera since two weeks as a treatment for pimples
Now that pimples became black in color i thought it was going from my face but in some other spots on my face I am getting one or two pimples small and slightly itchy. What can I do?
saroj says
hey…I m really fed up from redness of my face and there is lots of swelling over nose and cheek area like butterfly shape..and it looks worst… and moreover..aloe vera and green also don’t have any impact… infact they increase the redness..itchyness and swelling over the face.. and due to this I really feel shy in going outside… so…plz plz help me out… if you can
onowu says
stop using d aloevera and buy medicine and drink u can also use those white tooth pest on face try this or whatsapp me let me snd u my own pic be4 and now u will see that pimple have nt meet u be4 to compare with my own be4
onowu says
stop using d aloevera and buy medicine and drink u can also use those white tooth pest on face try this or whatsapp 08140743653 me let me snd u my own pic be4 and now u will see that pimple have nt meet u be4 to compare with my own be4
narmatha n says
whatever medicine, that gets from nature(aloevera) will work 100 percent. but you must have patience. and the main thing is you should never touch your face unnecessarily. if the acne or pimples itching means also you should not touch. if you touch the pimples, then any natural medicine will never work. and the main thing is you must wait for months and then only you will get rid of pimples and acne. because nothing in the world will not get easily, if you suffer for few months by using aloevera and not touching your face, i am sure, that after two to three months your skin will brighten like a star. so please there nothing to follow only thing is, by using any medicine you should never squeeze or touch your acne or pimples.
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myra says
You need to use Vitamin A with aloe vera. In one 2014 study, researchers grabbed 60 people with mild to moderate acne and split them into two groups:
* Group A was given a topical Vitamin A cream
* Group B was given a topical Vitamin A cream plus topical aloe vera
Guess which group’s acne healed faster?
Group B, Turns out that aloe vera combined with the Vitamin A was “significantly more effective” at reducing acne lesions than the Vitamin A alone. Two good aloe vera choices are the Palmers Aloe Vera & the Made from Earth Aloe Vera. The Parlmers is priced better, but the Made from Earth Aloe Vera is better quality.
Tom says
When I store the Aloe gel in the fridge all the water comes out and the actual get pieces end up becoming dry as I rub it on my skin. What do you do about this? Considering the water is directly from the aloe gel.. Could you actually use that fluid on your skin? I mean, if you stop using a piece once it gets dry I’ll be killing my whole plant within a couple weeks!
Phillip says
I am using Aloe Vera Fruit of the earth product. Says its a 100 percent alcohol free .
Too get rid of Redness it seems to be working but slowly .
Would this be just as good as the plant?
fatima says
i want to ask a question please try to reply me fast as soon as possible..i am affected with skin swelling on my face and am using aloe vera gel but aloe vera gel gets involve in my skin and it cant wosh or rub it gets involved in my skin and my skin looks green in colour a half of skin portion…thanks please tell me the solution.
Jenny says
Hello Danielle,
I love your post! My mom loves Aloe Vera so much that we have a lot of this succulent in our garden. We use it for almost anything skin-related problems like minor burns, insect bites, and of course acne. It is really effective although, for cystic acne, it takes longer than normal to take effect. Thanks for sharing!
ryan says
are any aloe gels not good for redness / acne? i just had a pore extraction, my acne isnt bad but i had a few small black heads and the doc was pretty rough on my face with the tool and now my forehead all over is red as can be.
Wendy @ Power Your Skin says
Hi,
I always find aloe vera effective when treating acne. I use the gel as a face mask to get rid of acne and the result was amazing. Thanks!
Roland says
Hy, you may be algergic to some basic food that you are eating. Take away from your diet every thing that contain flour (read label of the product) and avoid process food for a week to see if the rednis reduce. You may be gluten sensetive. Remove the the food you mostly eat. And most important make note what you eat and how your body react.
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