Now, aloe vera’s soothing and hydrating abilities abound, no doubt, but to shrink a gnarly-looking zit? You might be a bit skeptical—understandably so. I certainly was, too, until I saw how her stubborn blemish had all but vanished the next day. Enter aloe, which is chock-full of anti-inflammatory vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and amino acids to soothe angry skin. Much of the research points to aloin, a specific compound in the aloe plant that can promote overall skin healing1, as well as bradykinase—an enzyme that can help reduce excessive inflammation when applied topically2. In other words, the cooling gel does more than provide a feel-good sensation—it’s putting in the work to calm down your skin. Research has even shown that the gel was even more effective at suppressing skin inflammation than hydrocortisone cream3. So if you have an angry, inflamed spot that won’t let up, a bit of aloe vera gel as a spot treatment can temper the blemish. “There is data to suggest that aloe may have antimicrobial properties and may help acne-prone skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., about the benefits of aloe vera. “It should not take the place of your traditional acne medications but can be used alongside them.” In fact, aloe used topically in combination with tretinoin cream (a prescription-strength retinoid) was found to be effective in treating inflammatory and noninflammatory acne5. You might be thinking: Sounds great, but what does this have to do with acne? Well, your skin typically responds to dehydration with inflammation (which is the core acne, remember?). That inflammation can trigger the release of a hormone called CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone)7, which tells your sebaceous glands to produce more oil—and, thus, a greater chance for excess sebum to become trapped within those pores. Translation? Paying attention to hydration (hello, aloe!) can help manage inflammation and ultimately stabilize oil production. As we mentioned above, aloe vera can help hydrate the epidermis and seal in moisture, which can help speed up barrier repair. The plant is also chock-full of antioxidants—like vitamins A, C, and E—as well as metallothionein, an antioxidant protein that has been found to have a protective effect on the skin2. Aloesin, a natural compound in the aloe plant, has brightening capabilities that can help speed up this fading process. In one study, when aloe was applied to skin four times per day for two weeks, aloesin was shown to effectively fade post-acne hyperpigmentation9. Another report showed that topical application of aloesin can directly inhibit hyperpigmented skin from producing more melanin—hyperpigmentation simply means excess melanin production in your skin, so keeping the pigment-producing cells from becoming overactive is key. A final tip to note: Try to use a pure, fresh aloe leaf if you can (like at your local grocery store or farmers market), as commercial gels may include other ingredients or preservatives that could potentially irritate the skin. Best to harvest the gel yourself (our guide here) and slather it on as a spot treatment or full-on face mask.
