What is aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a succulent-like plant that has been valued for its healing properties by cultures around the world for several thousand years (find out more about the wide range of aloe era health benefits). The leaves contain a clear gel that may be used externally and taken internally. Although scientists are only just beginning to discover aloe vera’s secrets, its has been used successfully by people who experienced relief from problems as diverse as acne, high blood pressure, sunburn, dental pain and IBS. There is even a Greek physician’s record from about 74BC which tells of using aloe vera for skin complaints. It may also be useful for preventative purposes, and some people take aloe vera capsules and other products as a general ‘tonic’ to help protect against illness and enhance existing good health.

Unlike many conventional medicines, it is relatively cheap (very cheap if you use the plant to make aloe vera remedies at home), safe (bad reactions are rare), and very easy to use – especially in capsule form.

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that takes the form of spots, blackheads, whiteheads and greasy skin, and – in severe cases – cysts, and may cause scarring. It varies in severity, and typically begins during puberty, although adult acne is not uncommon. Women may experience more acne around the time of their period.

It usually affects the face and upper body, and is caused by overactive sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum, an oily substance that is necessary to keep the skin supple and moisturised. When it is produced to excess however, the skin follicles become clogged, leading to blackheads and whiteheads. In some people, the Propionibacterium acnes bacterium grows in the follicles, and produces chemicals that cause an immune reaction, which in turn leads to the inflamed spots typically associated with acne.

How aloe vera can help acne

Aloe vera has a powerful anti-inflammatory action, as well as being anti-bacterial. It:

• Lessens skin redness

• Reduces swelling
• Has natural astringent properties which help to keep oiliness under control
• May help to reduce scarring
• Kills acne-causing bacteria
• Can relieve the pain associated with more serious acne

How to use aloe vera for treating acne

It is easy to use aloe vera for acne treatment and prevention.

External use

The simplest method is to apply pure aloe vera gel to the affected areas. You can take the gel directly from the plant itself (more info about preparing your own fresh aloe vera remedies) – just remove the leaf, cut it open lengthways, and scoop out the gel. Or you can purchase aloe gel online or in stores, as well as various creams and lotions that contain aloe vera.

Internal use

Aloe vera can be very powerful when used internally, usually in the form of juice or capsules. It helps to boost the immune system, and provides skin support from the inside out. This method may take longer to see results than applying it topically, but it also helps to boost your health at a more fundamental level, possibly preventing problems from recurring.

Remember that acne can take time to improve, so it is important to use aloe vera consistently for at least several weeks to give it a chance to work.

Which aloe vera products are best for acne?

Whether you opt to use aloe vera internally, externally, or both, it is very important to choose good quality products. Unfortunately, many aloe vera products are of little help, because they don’t contain enough active ingredients to make a difference. They also are often loaded with harmful additives such as colourings, preservatives etc.

The best topical aloe vera products are those which contain organic ingredients, and are free from unnecessary preservatives and other additives. If you want to use aloe vera directly on the skin, you might want to keep your own aloe vera plant (they are cheap to buy and easy to care for), and then you can just apply the fresh gel as it is, or combine it with herbs and other natural ingredients to make simple aloe vera recipes, which may be even more effective. This is like having your own home pharmacy on hand, and doesn’t have to be a hassle either – find out about making 150+ easy aloe vera remedies for acne and many other complaints, as well as a selection of beauty treatments which can help to preserve your newly clear skin.

If you wish to take aloe vera internally, aloe vera capsules containing dried aloe gel are very convenient, and unlike juices, don’t need refrigeration, making them handy for travelling etc. .

Aloe vera and acne scarring

Many people have also found that aloe vera helps reduce acne scars. Scarring is typically caused in cases of severe cystic acne, when cysts form under the skin, although it can also be caused by smaller spots, especially if they are picked at.

Aloe vera gel is very rich in an array of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polysaccharides and more. These substances provide many of the necessary building blocks for repairing the skin damage caused by scarring. They can be supplied by aloe vera capsules, and some may be absorbed directly through the skin when the gel (orproducts containing it) is applied topically. Although some people argue that aloe vera does not do much for scarring, others have found that it does help, so as ever, they best thing is to try it for yourself.

Do aloe vera acne remedies really work?

Many acne sufferers have found total or significant relief from acne by using aloe vera, either internally, externally or both. Of course every case is different, not all people respond the same way, and so it is not guaranteed to work in any individual case – just like any other remedy or medicine. But considering how upsetting acne can be, and the cost and side effects associated with many conventional treatments, I think that aloe vera – which is relatively cheap and rarely produces any side effects – is well worth trying. Give it a go, and there is a good chance that you might be joining the ranks of ex-acne suffering aloe vera fans.

Other acne treatment tips

In many cases, taking aloe vera capsules and/or using a topical aloe vera acne remedy is enough to clear or significantly improve the skin. But there are some other simple steps that can help too:

• Drink plenty of water – at least two litres a day. It is best to cut down on or eliminate drinks such as tea, coffee, sugary and fizzy drinks and alcohol

• Eat a diet based on natural unprocessed foods, particularly fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans and pulses. Cut out junk foods containing synthetic additives, refined flour and sugar, and hydrogenated oils
• Many people find that certain foods are acne triggers. Wheat and other gluten-containing foods (barley, oats and rye), and dairy are common culprits, as is refined sugar. Try eliminating these for a trial period and see if your skin improves
• Exercise – as well as improving your general health and immunity, exercise help to oxygenate the skin, helping it to look its best
• Meditation and relaxation – some people find that acne is related to stress. Physical and mental health are closely related, and meditating or undertaking some other kind of relaxation-focused activity (such as yoga, self- hypnosis or simple relaxation exercises) can help to promote healthy skin by reducing stress levels
• Keep the skin clean (a mild natural aloe vera soap or cleanser could be a good choice), but do not over-clean it, which may lead to more oiliness
• Avoid touching the skin and picking the spots, as this can cause the bacteria to spread
• Acne is sometimes associated with medications such as steroid creams and some types of contraceptive pill. If you use these, consider asking your doctor about alternatives

Remember that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and not just look for a quick fix for the symptoms. Aloe vera can help to reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of acne, but in order to have truly healthy skin, you need a truly healthy body, which means paying attention to nutrition, exercise and mental health.

Click here to learn how to make your own effective acne remedies with aloe vera

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as medical advice. You should always do your own research, and obtain professional advice if you are ill.

November 2009 – Beginning Oil Pulling With Sunflower Oil

Day 1 – experienced a mildly euphoric feeling after pulling, kind of like I’ve felt while juice fasting in the past.

Day 4 – experienced a relief of toothache during oil pulling, which lasted for the rest of the day. Though I am doing other things for my teeth too, so can’t be 100% sure the oil is responsible.

Day 5 – oil is now turning whitish in colour (as it’s meant to).

Day 8 – End of first week – skin on chest now has far fewer pimples. Toothache has stayed away apart from the occasional twinge here and there.

Day 11 – A small white spot at the corner of my eye has disappeared, after hanging around for about three months. My period is also three days late – I’m guessing the oil pulling is responsible, as it’s usually totally regular. Tried oil pulling twice today – once in the morning, and once early evening, as I had mild toothache and wondered if it would help. I added a drop of tea tree oil the second time – felt a little spaced and headachey for a short while afterwards, though the toothache cleared up. About an hour later, my tongue was less coated than usual.

Day 31 – End of my first month with sunflower oil. In summary, this month oil pulling has helped with toothache, and my skin is clearer than usual of pimples, although still not totally clear. I had a few health ‘challenges’ towards the end of the month (stomach bug, cystitis and the beginnings of a cold), which I put down to my immune system being a bit run down thanks to lack of sleep – I don’t think these symptoms are anything to do with oil pulling or detox. I also had a late period and bloating around ovulation, both of which are unusual for me – I do think oil pulling may have disrupted my hormonal balance a bit, as there is nothing else going on in my life that might have caused this. Hopefully things will be back to normal next month. Tomorrow I’ll start a month of oil pulling with sesame oil.

Day 62 – Have been using sesame oil since my last post – that is a nice oil to pull with. My skin has stayed clear (by my standards), and my toothache has stayed away, except for a few days over Xmas when I was eating a lot more sugar than I normally have. I went to the dentist (first time in nearly 2 years) and found out that I need a small filling. I was surprised I didn’t need more than that, considering my less than ideal habits until a few months ago, so maybe the oil pulling has helped there. I’ve missed the odd day here and there over the last month, but oil pulling is part of my routine now, and I feel better for doing it regularly. Next I’m trying oil pulling with coconut oil.

Update – August 2010

Well, I wasn’t very good at keeping up my oil pulling diary, but I still do it. I haven’t had any further dramatic changes as a result of oil pulling, but I do feel ‘off’ if I miss it for more than a few days, so it has become a fairly steady part of my routine now, like cleaning my teeth. I don’t always do 20 minutes though, as I feel like about 10 minutes is enough for me on many days; basically I just follow my intuition. I mostly use sesame oil, switching to sunflower if I run out. However, I do still plan to experiment with different oils, and will update this post when I do.

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