Aloe Vera – Fighting Acne the Natural Way

Acne

At any age, few things are as distressing and stubborn as acne, the most common skin disorder which affects millions, mainly in the western world. Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that can cause a variety of spots, pustules, nodules and cysts on the face, shoulders, neck, and chest.

Following the unsightly, and often painful, original outbreak, acne can leave the sufferer with equally unsightly pitted or mottled skin, or even scar tissue. Although largely a scourge of adolescence, between the ages of 12-24 years, acne can strike at any time and 20% of all cases occur in adults.

Causes

For the most part, the factors that cause acne in adolescents and adults are the same. The four main factors generally thought to cause acne are:

• excess oil production;
• clogged pores;
• bacteria;
• inflammation

Aggravating factors include hormone imbalances, stress, chemicals in hair and skin products, and medications, including steroids.

More recent research, however, suggests that acne may be triggered by systemic inflammation in the body.¹ Scientists are studying the complex feedback loop involving microorganisms that live on the skin’s surface. A delicate balance between the microorganisms is essential for immunity and barrier function of the skin. Imbalances in this system can affect the overall immune system and trigger inflammation that leads to acne and other skin disorders.²

There is also a growing body of evidence linking a western diet with acne. Studies suggest that pro-inflammatory foods, especially those with a high glycemic load, aggravate skin disorders.³ A link between dairy products and an increased risk of acne remains controversial.⁴

Treatment

Topical therapy is the mainstay of treatment for mild-to-moderate acne. However, antibiotic resistance (now a major public health issue), and side effects of conventional anti-acne treatments are a cause for concern and of revived interest in medicinal herbs for alternative treatments.

Aloe vera has been used since ancient times to treat skin disorders and diseases and is still prescribed for such in Ayurveda, Chinese and complementary medicine today. Several clinical studies demonstrate that aloe vera, in combination with other plant extracts, improved total acne count and lesions compared to placebo groups.⁵ In another study, a 50% aloe vera gel used in combination with tretinoin, was significantly more effective in reducing acne lesions than in the control group.

While science has yet to describe the precise pathway/s by which aloe vera helps to moderate acne, we can infer a role for aloe’s innate healing powers discussed below.

Aloe vera’s acne-fighting properties

1. Anti-inflammatory aloe

Aloe vera gel has a long history of use as a topical treatment for inflammatory skin conditions, like acne, eczema and psoriasis. It contains a host of bioactive substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerate the regeneration of the damaged skin. As well as polysaccharides, sterols, and enzymes, aloin, another compound in aloe, was recently identified as a key anti-inflammatory.⁶

In an early trial, aloe vera was the only plant extract to demonstrate a significant anti-inflammatory action. Elsewhere, topical aloe vera gel proved more effective at suppressing skin inflammation than hydrocortisone cream.⁷

2. Anti-microbial aloe

As well anti-inflammatory compounds, aloe vera contains naturally-occurring salicylic acid. A potent substance for fighting acne, salicylic acid penetrates the skin to dissolve skin debris that clogs pores and eliminate pimples and blackheads. Finally, the anti-microbial effect of zinc in aloe is effective against the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria.

3. Healing aloe

Numerous studies over decades have shown that aloe vera improves the wound healing process. Its healing effects involve the synergistic action of aloe compounds including anthraquinones, sterols, enzymes and acemannan to stimulate the production of collagen. In this way aloe vera encourages skin to regenerate itself, a necessary process for healing acne lesions and softening scar tissue.

4. Lightening aloe

Acne pigmentation or dark spots can be as stubborn and depressing as the original break-out. Aloesin, a compound in aloe, effectively lightens post-acne hyperpigmentation as well as inhibits the over-production of melanin which can cause dark spots and uneven skin tone. Aloe vera has becomes a top choice as a natural and safe method of skin lightening for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.

Interested in trying out aloe vera to treat mild-moderate acne? Start with a spot-test to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction (very rare) to aloe. Then try applying a thin layer of aloe vera gel as a face mask a few times a week. Wash off after 10 minutes with warm water. Build up gradually over a couple of weeks to using the gel daily and then to leaving it on overnight.

The best results come from using pure, inner leaf aloe gel fresh from the plant! Fillet the gel from inside the leaf, blend and store in the fridge for the most amazing cooling effect on your skin. Freeze the blended gel in an ice cube tray and pop one out for instant relief and spot treatment as required.

If you can’t get your hands on a plant, make sure you buy a cold-stabilised, organic aloe vera product containing at least 98% pure aloe vera, the fewest preservatives (usually vitamins C and/or E) and without no alcohol, added colour or fragrance.

References

1. Harvey A, Huynh TT. (2014). Inflammation and acne: putting the pieces together. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Apr;13 (4):459-63.
2. Prescott SL, Larcombe DL, Logan AC, et al. The skin microbiome: impact of modern environments on skin ecology, barrier integrity, and systemic immune programming. World Allergy Organ J. 2017;10(1):29. Published 2017 Aug 22. doi:10.1186/s40413-017-0160-5
3. Kucharska A, Szmurło A, Sińska B. Significance of diet in treated and untreated acne vulgaris. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2016;33(2):81–86. doi:10.5114/ada.2016.59146
4. Juhl CR, Bergholdt HKM, Miller IM, Jemec GBE, Kanters JK, Ellervik C. Dairy Intake and Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 78,529 Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Nutrients. 2018;10(8):1049. Published 2018 Aug 9. doi:10.3390/nu10081049
5. V Mazzarello, MG Donadu, M Ferrari, G Piga, D Usai, S Zanetti, MA Sotgiu Treatment of acne with a combination of propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera compared to erythromycin cream: two double-blind investigations. Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Dec 13;10:175-181. doi: 10.2147/CPAA.S180474
6. Luo X, Zhang H, Wei X, et al. Aloin Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis by Inhibiting the Activation of NF-κB. Molecules. 2018;23(3):517. Published 2018 Feb 26. doi:10.3390/molecules23030517
7. Reuter J, Jocher A, Stump J, Grossjohann B, Franke G, Schempp C, M: Investigation of the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Aloe vera Gel (97.5%) in the Ultraviolet Erythema Test. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2008;21:106-110. doi: 10.1159/000114871