Let's face it ... Aloe Vera skin care products have never been proven effective. They have been used for years, but clinical studies concerning their effectiveness are conflicting. Even the safety of using these products has been questioned, but most cosmetic ingredients have never been proven safe. So, that's not unusual.
There are purported health benefits of the succulent plant when it is consumed or applied directly to the skin. But, the plant is not non-toxic. Excess ingestion can cause diarrhea, hepatitis, kidney dysfunction, electrolyte imbalances and decreased function of the central nervous system.
Over the years, it has been suggested for treating diabetes, high cholesterol and ulcerative colitis. It has been shown to stimulate immune system function in cats and dogs fighting cancer, but this affect has not been seen in humans.
Extracts from the inner leaf have been shown to have some antibacterial and antifungal activity, although the activity is limited to specific types of fungi and bacteria. Certain varieties of honey are much more active, in this respect.
Companies that provide Aloe Vera skin care creams typically promote them as moisturizers and soothing anti-inflammatories. Uncontrolled inflammation leads to damage of the skin's cells and fibers, which contributes to wrinkle formation, sagging and the other signs of aging.
There are many natural anti-inflammatories in the botanical world. Some examples are Shea butter and witch hazel. One of the most effective is a protein peptide complex called Functional Keratin. It has been shown to inhibit prostaglandin E2, the major biochemical pathway leading to inflammation and redness in the skin.
The anti-inflammatory activity of Aloe Vera skin care lotions has never been fully explained. The plants do contain a number of biologically active compounds, including one that is a known laxative. But, the benefits to the skin, if there are any, probably come for the lectins and mannans it contains. Simply put, those are plant sugars and proteins.
Sugar or glucose is one of the components needed to form hyaluronic acid. You might call it the skin's glue. The amount of hyaluronic acid present in the skin reduces with age, but that is due to enzymatic activity that breaks it down.
If the glucose in plants, when applied directly, could be used to form hyaluronic acid and increase the skin's content, the enzymatic activity would simply speed up to reduce it.
To protect levels of hyaluronic acid, you don't need an Aloe Vera skin care solution. You need a Wakame Kelp skin-cream. Extracts from wakame kelp have been shown to inhibit the enzymatic activity that breaks down hyaluronic acid by more than 50% after just a few days.
Protein is needed to build new cells, but the molecules found in the plant would be too large to be useful to the skin's cells. Peptides, which are like protein fragments, are small enough to be picked up and if they are properly processed, they can be used by the skin's cells.
Bottom line, there's nothing wrong with using Aloe Vera skin care solutions, but you do have better options.
To learn more about vitamins for healthy skin, and other incredible natural substances for natural healthy skin care, visit my website today.
Laurel is a long time user and passionate advocate of natural skin care products. Visit her site now to discover cutting edge, anti-aging skin care products she recommends after extensive research: www.beautiful-skin-site.com.
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