Aloe vera is one of the most famous plants and one that is making its way into the world of cosmetics, because it is a great ally for the skin and for health. It is a plant full of enzymes, amino acids and antioxidants that throughout history has been used for thousands of treatments. The properties of aloe vera have been known for centuries, in fact, it is believed that it was part of the beauty rituals of such emblematic queens as Cleopatra or Nefertiti.
In addition to Ancient Egypt, which called it “the plant of immortality”, other later cultures have continued to use it and have also given it their own names: for the Sumerians it was a “magical virtue”, for the Templars “the elixir of Jerusalem”. ” and for the Arabs “the eternal fountain of youth”. Even Christopher Columbus carried pots of aloe vera on his caravels to heal the wounds of the crew. But it was not until 1970 when a pharmacist named Bill Coats was able to separate the aloin from the bark and stabilize the gel extracted from the leaf, added vitamin C, vitamin E and sorbitol and began to market and popularize it.
But it was not until 1970 when a pharmacist named Bill Coats was able to separate the aloin from the bark and stabilize the gel extracted from the leaf, added vitamin C, vitamin E and sorbitol and began to market and popularize it.
Spain has been producing aloe vera for years, it started in the Canary Islands but little by little it has been cultivated in other places such as Andalusia and Levante. We are currently the European country with the largest area for its production due to the excellent climate. Although there are 250 varieties of aloe vera, only two have medicinal properties: Aloe barbadensis miller and Aloe arborescensis. The experts at Nivea, the world’s number one brand in skin care, show the properties that this miraculous plant provides both for skin and hair, as well as for health in general:
1. Properties for the skin
Hydration
Aloe vera has great moisturizing power, since 99% of its composition is water, while it contains mucopolysaccharides that retain moisture in the skin. Thanks to its easy penetration, it regulates the pH of the skin and makes it soft and hydrated. In addition, it contains magnesium lactate that reduces the production of histamine, one of the substances that causes skin itching, making it ideal for dry, flaky skin and skin with problems such as psoriasis.
Elasticity
Helps reduce wrinkles and expression lines as it improves skin elasticity. The gel of its leaves contains glucomannan, which acts by stimulating the activity of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for synthesizing new collagen and hyaluronic acid, which make the skin smoother, younger and wrinkle-free.
Cicatrization
Aloe vera promotes skin healing. The plant hormones that are present in this plant cause the skin to regenerate and help wounds to heal faster. Also thanks to vitamin A and C and the different enzymes it has, it helps it to be uniform again and heal without leaving any signs.
Antioxidant and soothing
Due to its high concentration of antioxidants, it helps to neutralize free radicals, which are the main cause, among other damage, of premature aging of our skin. Another of its great properties is its ability to soothe and relieve sunburn, which is why it has become a highly valued ingredient in after-sun lotions.
anti-inflammatory
One of the most important properties of aloe vera is that it is anti-inflammatory, in fact, it has an action similar to steroids and its anti-inflammatory capacity is similar to that of hydrocortisone, the mildest corticosteroid for the skin, so it is a great remedy for many conditions, including irritations, dermatological allergies and insect bites.
Antibacterial and antiseptic
In addition to all the properties mentioned above, aloe vera is antibacterial and antiseptic, so it is good for acne. It eliminates the bacteria that accumulate on the skin and in the pores that cause pimples to appear and eliminates the infection.
concealer
Finally, say that aloe vera is a great corrector. Thanks to all the properties exposed above, it can be said that aloe vera offers benefits to reduce stretch marks and even blemishes, since it gradually blurs them.
hair properties
Aloe vera, in addition to for the skin, since it contributes to the nutrition of the follicle and stimulates the scalp. Promotes strong and healthy hair, and thanks to its moisturizing power reduces dandruff and irritation. Another of the properties of aloe vera for hair is its versatility, that is, it is used for dry and oily hair. This may seem contradictory, but it is not, since it is very moisturizing for dry hair, but it also controls excess sebum, which is beneficial for oily hair, and also prevents hair loss since it contains antioxidants and enzymes that They help hair growth and rejuvenation of the follicles.
Health properties
Aloe vera not only has properties to take care of the skin and hair but also takes care of health in general. It facilitates digestion and relieves gastrointestinal problems (constipation, gastritis, reflux…), because it is anti-inflammatory, it helps with muscle discomfort, it is an antioxidant, beneficial for respiratory health, and thanks to the amount of vitamins and minerals it contains (vitamin A, B1, C, E, folic acid, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium…) is increasingly used in gastronomy. The taste is really not very appealing, as it is quite bitter, but it is easy to camouflage it with other ingredients.
It is a good stabilizer and gives a creamy texture to creams, purées, ice creams and pastries in general. Desserts are creamier and it makes the creams thick, filling them with nutrients. For its preparation, the first thing to do is cut the leaf and remove the transparent gel that is inside, then put it in water for a little more than 15 minutes so that the aloin comes off, and if possible, it is better to leave it from the day above and change the water.
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