Aloe Vera For Acne: How To Use Aloe Vera For Treating Acne

January 23, 2018 by Kushneet Kukreja

ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition

The beauty benefits of aloe vera are well known all across the world. This plant is believed to have originated in Northern Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. This succulent plant stores water in its leaves, stems, and roots which give it a fleshy appearance. It is used as an active ingredient in moisturizers, face washes, soaps, and sunscreen lotions due to its moisturizing, curative, and calming properties. The ancient Greeks and Romans used aloe vera for treating wounds, cuts, and inflammation. It is believed that Egyptian Queen Cleopatra used aloe vera gel as a part of her beauty regime.

Is Aloe Vera Good For Acne?

Let’s find out how this herb heals acne and pimples and treats the scars caused by them.

The antibacterial properties of aloe vera gel are very effective in treating acne and reducing the redness caused by it. It prevents bacteria from infecting acne wounds and accelerates the process of healing. Its antifungal properties are useful in treating inflammation like boils and cysts on the skin.

Image: Shutterstock

Magnesium lactate present in the aloe gel helps to alleviate the itching sensation caused by acne. It is also effective in treating skin rashes and sunburns.

The astringent property of aloe removes excess oil and dirt from the skin to prevent acne breakout. It reduces the size of inflamed nodules and cysts to relieve pain caused by the swelling.

Not just acne, aloe gel also helps to reduce acne scars by promoting skin regeneration. Anthraquinone present in aloe invigorates the skin and boosts cell development and restoration. This can be very helpful in removing acne scars and making your skin look radiant and flawless.

It also lightens skin pigmentation to reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes caused by acne and pimples.

Aloe vera contains saponins like gibberellin, mannans, and polysaccharides which kill acne-causing bacteria and viruses, including Propionibacterium that leads to severe acne. This plant also contains salicylic acid, a compound which unclogs the pores and eliminates acne, blackheads, and whiteheads from the skin. It further helps to regulate the pH balance of the skin.

Dirt build-up in the skin clogs the pores, leading to bacterial infection and blackheads. Regular application of this gel on the face tightens the pores, thereby, decreasing the exposure of pores to germs.

The benefits of using aloe vera gel and aloe vera juice have been extensively studied by scientists and the points mentioned above on how aloe helps us have a healthier skin and body have been elucidated (1, 2).

[ Read: Simple Remedies For Pimples On Forehead ]

How To Use Aloe Vera For Acne?

There are numerous ways to use aloe to fight acne. Read on to know more about them.

Here Is How You Can Use Aloe Vera To Treat Acne

1. Honey And Aloe Vera For Pimples

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon raw honey
1-2 teaspoons rose water

Preparation

Blend aloe vera gel, honey, and rose water to make a smooth paste. You can also add a pinch of turmeric to this facial mask to brighten your complexion.

How To Apply

Apply this mask on the acne prone areas and wash it off after 20 minutes.
Use this mask thrice a week to get rid of acne.

How Does It Work

Honey is an antibacterial agent and also contains a variety of antioxidants. It rehydrates the skin, and this brings under control the excess sebum that was being produced. Honey also has cleansing and healing properties which are beneficial for treating many skin ailments apart from acne (3).

Precautions

None

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2. Aloe Vera And Lemon For Pimples

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Ingredients

1-2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
Few drops of lemon juice

Preparation

Add the lemon juice to aloe vera gel and mix well to form a paste.

How To Apply

Apply this mask on your face and neck and let it stay overnight.
If you feel that it is too sticky, leave the mask for at least an hour before rinsing it off.
Repeat this every night until the acne heals.

How Does It Work

The antibacterial properties of lemon and aloe vera gel clear acne and will prevent a further breakout. Lemon juice cleanses and purifies your skin, and also tighten skin pores thus preventing them from getting clogged (4, 5).

Precautions

If you have sensitive skin, replace the lemon juice with tomato juice as the latter is milder.

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3. Aloe Vera And Turmeric For Pimples

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Ingredients

1-2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon gram flour (or chickpea flour)

Preparation

Mix all the ingredients to form a paste. Add a few drops of water if the paste is too thick.

How To Apply

Apply this on the face and let it dry for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse with water.
Repeat this twice a week.

How Does It Work

Turmeric is a potent herb that treats acne. Its antimicrobial properties kill the P.acnes bacteria while its anti-inflammatory properties reduce the swelling. The antioxidants it contains help in the healing process of a pimple and also prevents scar formation (6).

Precautions

Turmeric can stain your skin. You can gently rub some lemon juice to get rid of this yellow stain.

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4. Tea Tree Oil With Aloe Vera For Acne

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Ingredients

2-3 teaspoons aloe vera gel
3-4 drops of tea tree oil

Preparation

Add the essential oil to the aloe gel and mix them together.

How To Apply

Apply this on the acne-affected area and leave it on overnight.
Rinse thoroughly in the morning.
Use this aloe remedy every night until your pimples go away.

How Does It Work

Tea tree oil is antimicrobial in nature. It kills bacteria and fungi present on the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the swollen areas of the skin. This essential oil also brings the sebum production under control, especially for oily skin (7).

Precautions

Tea tree oil is known to cause rashes on sensitive skin. It is advisable to conduct a patch test before using it.

[ Read: Use Olive Oil To Get Rid Of Acne Scars ]

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5. Baby Oil With Aloe Vera For Acne

Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients

1-2 teaspoon aloe vera gel
Few drops of baby oil

Preparation

Mix the ingredients together.

How To Apply

Apply this liquid mixture carefully on the affected area, as it can be a little drippy.
Leave it on for an hour or so before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Repeat this once every day.

How Does It Work

Baby oil is essentially a mineral oil fortified with vitamin E to hydrate, nourish, and heal the skin (8, 9). By providing the skin with the required amount of oil, the excess oil that is being produced and causing acne can be brought under control.

Precautions

None

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6. Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E For Acne

Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients

1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
1 vitamin E capsule

Preparation

Puncture the vitamin E capsule and add the oil present inside to the aloe vera gel. Mix well.

How To Apply

Apply this on the affected area and let it dry.
Rinse after an hour. You can leave this mask on overnight as well.
Repeat this for a few nights until the acne fades away.

How Does It Work

Vitamin E oil is often used in skin care products for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and healing properties. It not only helps in healing the acne but also keeps your skin healthy and flawless (9, 10).

Precautions

None

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7. Apple Cider Vinegar And Aloe Vera For Acne

Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients

1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon water

Preparation

Mix all the ingredients together.

How To Apply

Either using your fingers or a cotton ball, apply this mixture all over the face area.
Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse with water.

How Does It Work

Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid which acts as an astringent on the skin. It removes all bacteria and also brings the skin’s pH to normal levels. It also exfoliates the dead skin cells that have accumulated in the acne (11).

Precautions To Be Taken Care Of

Apple cider vinegar may not suit sensitive skin.

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8. Aloe, Milk And Sugar Mask

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoon aloe vera gel

Preparation

Add the sugar to the milk and mix until the sugar dissolves. Add aloe gel to this and mix well.

How To Apply

Apply this acne mask on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water.
Do this daily.

How Does It Work

Milk soothes and cleanses the skin. It also keeps it hydrated (12). Sugar is an humectant and helps your skin to stay hydrated for longer periods of time. This reduces the sebum that is being produced (13). Sugar also aids in the cell turnover as it contains glycolic acid (14).

Precautions

Do not use this remedy if you are allergic to milk.

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9. Aloe Vera And Cosmetic Clay For Pimple Treatment

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon aloe vera gel or juice
1 tablespoon cosmetic clay (white or pink)

Preparation

Add the aloe vera gel to the clay powder and mix well to get a fine paste.

How To Apply

Apply a thin layer on the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse with water and pat dry.
Use this mask twice a week.

How Does It Work

Cosmetic clay possesses antibacterial properties (15). It also works as an astringent, especially for oily skin (16).

Precautions

If you have never used cosmetic clay before, use a small amount of it on your inner arm to make sure you are not allergic to it. If you experience any burning sensation or develop rashes, do not use this mask.

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Apart from using these aloe masks during and/or after breakouts, you can also use organic aloe vera soap twice a day to reduce acne and maintain an even skin tone. Make sure that the soap contains glycerin as an active ingredient, lest it might result in dry and flaky skin.

How Long Does It Take For Aloe Vera To Cure Acne?

It takes just a few days of regular application of aloe vera to notice a difference in your acne. They will start healing faster than they usually do, with less discomfort and swelling. Within two to three weeks, you will start noticing a difference in your acne scars as well.

It is important to remember that aloe vera does not cure acne, but reduces the infection, swelling, inflammation, and redness associated with it. With its biologically active components, it fastens the healing process. Using it regularly over the course of time can also prevent breakouts in the future.

So, why wait? Make aloe vera your friend while your friends start envying you for your radiant and glowing skin.

Did we miss out on any other ways to use aloe? Do let us know in the comments section below.