Acne And Pimples
Pimples are inflammations of the skin caused by an excess of sebum. If the pores of the epidermal layers of skin are not properly cleaned, this sebum secretion deposits between the pores and the dead skin, leading to inflammation and irritation.
Causes Of Acne And Pimples
Hormonal imbalance, stress, menopause, aging, unhealthy diet, improper hygiene and lifestyle habits, etc. are some of the causes of pimples.
Aloe Vera For Acne
There are many cosmetic and over the counter treatments and products available on the market, however home remedies are always best, especially the use of Aloe Vera.
Is Aloe Vera Good For Acne?
Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Acne Treatment:
- Aloe vera removes excess oil from the skin which causes pimples and acne.
- It has anti – bacterial, antiseptic and anti – inflammatory properties that protect the skin from the bacterial buildup.
- It has glyco-proteins, a substance that is used to heal and reduce the inflammation, redness and discomfort caused by pimples.
- It contains hormones called gibberellins and polysaccharides that kill acne causing bacteria and stimulates the growth of new skin cells.
- Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that reduce swelling, redness and the inflammation.
- It is an antioxidant, and contains Zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E.
- Aloe Vera is rich in ferments like catechins, carotenoids and flavonoids. It is highly rich in carbohydrates and amino acids.
- As an astringent, Aloe Vera helps in contracting the skin, thus rendering the skin pores clean from any deposited sebum, dead skin cells or dirt.
- It purifies the blood and stimulates cell growth to heal the damaged skin.
How To Treat Pimples With Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera can be used in various ways to treat acne. Try all these remedies until you find the best.
Home Remedies For Acne
1. Aloe Vera
- This process is very effective in treating both acne and the scars in leaves behind.
- Extract the gel from an Aloe Vera leaf.
- Apply on the clean affected skin.
- Leave it on overnight and wash it off with water the next morning.
- Repeat daily.
- You can also use store bought aloe vera gel or juice.
- Or blend aloe vera gel with water and apply this on the affected skin with a cotton ball. Wash it off with water after 1 hour.
- Follow this process regularly.
2. Aloe Vera And Lemon Juice
This face mask not only clears pimples but also works as natural skin brighter.
Method 1:
Mix a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice in 1 – 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel or juice.
Apply on the affected skin and leave for 10 minutes or overnight (if applied night).
Wash it off with warm water followed by cold water.
Pat the skin dry and apply some oil free moisturizer.
Repeat regularly
Note: You can also add few drops of water if you have sensitive skin.
Note: Lime or grapefruit juice could also be used.
Method 2:
- Mix 1 whipped egg white, 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice in 2 tablespoons of minced aloe vera pulp.
- Apply this as a face mask, wash it with water after it dries completely.
- Continue applying this mixture regularly.
3. Aloe Vera And Honey
Method 1:
- Mix 1 tablespoon each of aloe vera gel and honey in a bowl.
- Apply this on pimples and leave on 20 minutes.
- Rinse with water and pat dry the skin.
- Apply some oil free moisturizer.
Note: You can add ½ teaspoon of rose water or a pinch of turmeric for added benefits.
Method 2:
- Boil a fresh aloe vera leaf in water for about 5 – 7 minutes.
- Crush the leaf and add a tablespoon of honey.
- Stir it well and apply on the affected areas of skin.
- Massage it gently for 3 – 5 minutes.
- Leave for about 20 – 30 minutes and rinse it off with cold water.
- Repeat the same process regularly.
4. Aloe Vera Mask With Milk And Sugar
- This anti – pimples mask helps to soothe, moisturize and brightens the skin.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of sugar in 1/2 tablespoon of milk until sugar dissolves.
- Add 2 tablespoons of freshly extracted aloe vera gel or store bought juice or gel.
- Stir all these ingredients and apply this mixture as a mask on the affected skin.
- Let it sit for about 20 – 30 minutes to dry.
- Rinse with warm water and then dry your face.
- Apply moisturizer and repeat this process regularly.
5. Aloe Vera And Calendula Tincture
- This combinational process is used to treat oiliness and inflammation on the skin. It cleanses and closes the enlarged pores.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of calendula tincture and 3 – 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel.
- Add 1/4 cup of cooled boiled water.
- Use this mixture to wipe your face twice a day to get rid of acne.
6. Aloe Vera With Glycerol And Oat Flakes
- This method moisturizes the dry skin and prevents pimples and aging signs.
- Mix equal quantities of aloe vera juice, pulp, glycerol, ground oat flakes and water in a bowl and stir well to make a paste.
- Apply on the affected skin, leave for a few minutes before washing off with water.
- Apply regularly to get pimple free and anti aging skin.
7. Aloe Vera And Cosmetic Clay
- This process is widely used to heal, cleanse and dry the pimples and inflammation.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of clay (white or pink) and fresh aloe vera juice.
- Stir it well to make a fine paste.
- Apply on the affected skin and leave for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Rinse the mask with cool water and pat the skin dry.
- Repeat the application of this aloe – clay mask regularly.
8. Aloe Vera And Tea Tree Oil
- Tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which kill the bacteria that cause pimples.
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
- Apply this on the affected skin and leave on for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash with water and pat dry.
- Repeat the same process regularly.
9. Aloe Vera And Apple Cider Vinegar
- Apple vinegar has alpha – hydroxy acids that rejuvenates the skin by exfoliating the dead skin cells and making the skin look shiny and healthy.
- Mix a small amount of water and apple cider vinegar in 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
- Apply on the affected skin using a cotton ball, massaging gently.
- Leave for 15 – 20 minutes before washing off with water.
- Pat the skin dry and apply some oil free moisturizer.
- Repeat the same process regularly.
10. Aloe Vera Toner
This toner helps in removing the accumulated dead skin cells, excess oil and other impurities. It also provides relief from the damage caused by UV exposure and free radicals. It reduces inflammation, redness and itching caused by acne.
- Boil 1 cup of water and remove from the flame.
- Add 2 green tea bags and let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel into the green tea.
- Mix thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle.
- Wash your face, pat dry and spray the solution on the face.
- Take a cotton ball and rub it all over the face for a minute. Now, you can see the impurities on the cotton ball.
- Repeat daily.
- The solution can be stored in the refrigerator for 10 days.
- For added benefits, you can add 3 tablespoons of rosewater, 1 teaspoon salt, and some lemon juice.
11. Aloe Vera And Garlic
Garlic contains antibacterial properties which fight with bacteria causing pimples. It reduces the inflammation, absorbs excess oil and fights with free radicals.
- Crush 3 cloves of garlic into a paste.
- Add the garlic paste into 1/2 cup of water.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of garlic juice and aloe vera.
- Using a cotton ball, apply the solution on the affected areas.
- Gently massage for a minute and let the application dry completely.
- Rinse it off with water and pat dry.
- Repeat the process frequently until you get relief from acne.
12. Aloe Vera And Cinnamon
This method is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy to treat acne. Cinnamon contains antibacterial properties which de-clogs the pores and dries out the acne. It also improves blood and oxygen supply to the skin.
- Combine 1 teaspoon each of aloe vera gel and honey.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon powder into it.
- Mix well and apply it on the affected area.
- Leave it on overnight.
- Rinse off the application in the morning.
- Repeat the process regularly.
13. Aloe Vera And Turmeric
The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties present in turmeric heal acne effectively. It also helps in removing and preventing accumulation of excess oil. When turmeric is mixed with aloe vera, it makes a perfect mask for acne.
- Combine 1 – 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of gram flour.
- Stir well and apply the mixture on the affected area.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse off with cool water.
- Repeat the process 2 – 3 times in a week.
14. Aloe Vera And Cabbage
The sulfur present in cabbage dries up the excess oil present on the skin. It also fights off the bacteria causing acne. It is rich in vitamin C which controls the oil production and promotes healthy and glowing skin.
- Blend cabbage using few drops of water to make a paste.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of cabbage paste and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
- Apply the paste on the affected area.
- Leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with cool water and pat the skin dry.
- Follow the process 2 – 3 times in a week.
15. Aloe Vera With Honey And Neem Face Pack For Acne
Neem contains antifungal and antibacterial properties which fight with the bacteria causing acne. It also controls the oil production and prevents clogged pores. Neem contains many beneficial compounds like fatty acids, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and carotenoids which promote the healing of acne scars. When neem, aloe vera, and honey are mixed, it makes an amazing face pack for acne.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon of neem leaves powder and 1 tablespoon honey.
- Mix well and apply the paste on the face.
- Leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
- Repeat the process 2 – 3 times in a week.
- Alternatively, if you don’t have neem leaves powder then you can add 2 tablespoons of neem leaves paste.
16. Aloe Vera And Walnut
Walnuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which are beneficial to the skin as they reduce the inflammation and control the acne. You can include handful of walnuts to your diet. Apart from that, you can follow the remedy below.
- Blend 4 – 5 walnuts into a fine powder.
- Add 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel into it and blend again.
- In a bowl, add the blended mixture and 1/2 teaspoon honey.
- Mix well and apply it on the affected area.
- Leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Rinse off the application with warm water and pat dry.
- Repeat the process 2 – 3 times in a week.
17. Consumption of Aloe Vera
If you have stubborn acne which keeps on coming back even after topical applications then you have to consider taking supplements of vitamins and minerals. Some of the important supplements for acne are vitamin A and E, pantothenic acid, niacin, and zinc. It may be not possible to take all the supplements but you can find them all in one ingredient. That is aloe vera. Consumption of aloe vera every day helps unclog the pores, prevents infection, purifies the blood, detoxifies and reduce inflammation.
How To Make Aloe Vera Juice?
You have to extract aloe vera gel from an aloe vera leaf and blend it with some water to make juice. But if you don’t like the taste of just aloe vera then you can try the below combination.
Method:
- Extract aloe vera gel from an aloe vera leaf.
- To a blender, add 2 – 3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, 1 cup of water, 1 – 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 cup of citrus juice, 1 – 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of vinegar.
- Blend for a minute and pour the juice into a glass.
- Consume the juice immediately.
- Repeat the process daily.
Things to Remember While Drinking Aloe Vera Juice:
- Discard the yellow substance oozing while extracting the aloe vera gel as it can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before taking aloe vera juice.
- Drink the juice as soon as it is prepared because a slight delay allows the juice to oxidize which means you will not get all nutrients present in it.
Tips And Precautions:
- Here are some tips and precautions for safe and quick relief from the problem.
- Always make sure to wash the aloe leaf thoroughly before use.
- You can also drink aloe vera juice prepared by mixing 1 – 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel in 1/2 cup of water. Or mix aloe gel in your favorite smoothies.
- Use of organic aloe vera soap twice daily can help to reduce the acne and pimples and make your skin glow. The soap must contain glycerin as an active ingredient, so that it prevents dry and flaky skin.
- For more effective results, use freshly extracted aloe vera gel.
- It’s best to apply a thin layer of anti bacterial cream over aloe vera and allow it to dry for the protection of skin against bacteria.
- Before starting any natural home remedy, it’s best to discuss with your doctor.
- Avoid consuming too much of aloe vera juice.
- Aloe vera might cause some irritation or itching, so always do a patch test first.
- Wear gloves while cutting aloe leaf to avoid irritation.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using the exterior portion of aloe vera leaves.
- People who are suffering from hemorrhoids, colitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, etc. will have to consult their doctor before using aloe vera for treating this problem.
- A prolonged habit of drinking Aloe Vera juice could expose you to increased risks of colorectal cancer and other health problems. So never ever use this gel or juice in excess.
- Other than using aloe vera remedies, follow a healthy diet with plenty of water, avoid stress, have proper hygiene and regularly exercise, etc.
