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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.
Dry skin, also called xerosis, is when the outer most layer of skin, or epidermis, isn’t retaining sufficient moisture. The epidermis is partially made up of epidermal proteins and fats, or lipids, which help to retain moisture. If the proper amount of these proteins or lipids are lacking, moisture will evaporate more quickly and dry skin will ensue.
Also, external and environmental factors, such as weather, cold air, hot and excessive showers and harsh soaps, are notorious for either causing or exacerbating dry skin.
Rosehip oil enhances the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring the overall vitality of the skin. Jojoba oil is also good for keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Hyaluronic acid is another great ingredient for retaining moisture in dry skin.
Acne-prone dry skin is the hardest to treat because anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, retinoid, etc tend to be drying. Instead of avoiding these effective ingredients, you can combine these ingredients with moisturizing ingredients to counter effect the dryness of these ingredients.
aloe vera may be effective for dry skin, 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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