The Grooming Manual

What Are the Benefits of Aloe for Skincare?

You’ve probably noticed that the best skincare products for men almost always contain aloe. What gives? Sure, the plan is ubiquitous. And your mom probably used to rub it on your sunburns. But what does it do for your skin?

Aloe vera for skincare is nothing new. Researchers have found evidence that it’s been used for centuries by different cultures around the world for “its health, beauty, medicinal, and skin care properties.” In fact, the Egyptians referred to aloe as “the plant of immortality.” That’s quite a claim for this spiky plant.

Aloe’s Active Ingredients

Modern science has learned that all this ancient use of aloe isn’t just nonsense. Aloe vera contains 75 “potentially active constituents” - or substances that can be beneficial. They include “vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids.”

Many of these substances have positive effects for skincare. For example, aloe has vitamins A, C, and E, all of which function as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals that can cause skin damage and lead to premature aging.

Some of the enzymes in aloe are also responsible for keeping your skin looking great. One of them, bradykinase, “helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to skin topically” according to researchers.

Benefits of Aloe Vera

Some people tout the benefits of aloe but are vague about what it does exactly. Here are some of the specifics of how aloe vera works to improve and protect your skin.

Sun Exposure

Researchers have discovered that aloe vera can protect your skin from the sun’s UV radiation damage. They have not yet found the exact role that aloe plays in the process. But they have observed that your skin generates an antioxidant protein after being exposed to aloe vera gel. This starts the process of sun damage protection and delays skin hypersensitivity caused by sun exposure.

Wound Healing

Aloe vera increases collagen production and collagen cross linking, both of which speed up the process of wound healing. This also strengthens scar tissue to prevent breaking. Since slowed collagen production is a major cause of the natural aging process, aloe vera’s collagen boosting properties are critical for maintaining youthful skin.

Hydration

Substances in aloe vera bind moisture to the skin to keep it hydrated. It also “stimulates fibroblast which produces the collagen and elastin fibers making the skin more elastic and less wrinkled.” Research conducted on assembly line workers who suffer from dry skin showed the efficacy of aloe for skin hydration. The participants wore gloves that administered aloe to their hands. The results? These aloe gloves “produced a uniformly positive outcome of improved skin integrity” and “decreased appearance of fine wrinkling”.

Antiseptic

Bacteria growth is one of the major causes of acne and other skin blemishes. Using aloe can help since it contains 6 antiseptic agents. These inhibit the growth of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. So using a face moisturizer for men with aloe can help reduce your risk of developing severe acne.

Natural Ingredients Are Best

Clearly there are plenty of excellent reasons to make aloe a part of your skincare for men routine. Be sure that you’re using the best natural skincare products for men - and that they contain aloe vera. That way you can enjoy clear, healthy skin with the help of natural and organic ingredients. That’s always better than exposing your skin to potentially dangerous and harsh chemicals.

Aloe has been used for centuries in skincare treatments around the world. Don’t give up on it now! You can be confident that aloe vera for skincare is safe, effective, and backed up by plenty of quality research.

Back Next article