Aloe vera treatment for acne

Using a few tips, you can help tackle this skin condition that appears when temperature dips

Hyderabad: Wintertime can be hard on the skin. When cold air hits, it rips away natural surface lipids which act as a layer of protection. Your skin becomes dry, itchy, flaking, and peeling due to the chill outside. Cold weather, wind, and dry indoor air can suck moisture from your skin.

When moisture leaks out of the skin, the oil glands will overproduce sebum to lubricate/hydrate the skin. Your face’s ‘T-zone’ – basically, your forehead, nose and chin – produces the most sebum than almost any other part of your body, which is why this area is prone to pimples when the temperature dips.
Aloe vera is used to treat skin problems like acne, psoriasis and even eczema. It contains zinc, which has a healing effect. Aloe vera is also a powerful natural moisturiser and seals off loss of moisture. It softens dead skin cells and helps their removal, leaving the skin smoother and brighter.
Aloe vera also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which are helpful in healing acne. It also soothes the skin and relieves pain. Aloe vera has anti-oxidant properties too and boosts the skin’s cell renewal process.

Try the following tips:

· The aloe vera gel or juice may be applied on the face and then washed off with plain water after 20 minutes. It may be applied to moisturise and oily skin too, as it does not contain any oil.

· Take one tablespoon besan, one teaspoon each orange peel powder and curd, and one tablespoon aloe vera gel. Mix together and apply on the skin, washing it off after 30 minutes.

· Mix one teaspoon aloe vera gel with 2 teaspoons rose water and 3 teaspoons multani mitti. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

· If there are spots on the face, apply aloe vera gel on them and leave on overnight. Wash the face next morning.

· If there is redness on the skin due to acne, or the eruptions are reddish, apply aloe vera gel daily on the face, and wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. It also soothes irritation.

· Mix one teaspoon powdered cinnamon with one teaspoon each honey and aloe vera gel into a paste. Apply on the face and leave on overnight. Wash your face the next morning.

· Mix aloe vera with lemon juice and apply on the face. Wash off after 10 minutes. This helps to lighten scars.

· Anti-acne spray: Take 40 ml mineral water, 3 teaspoons aloe vera and 2 drops tea tree oil. Use a small spray bottle to spray on the face or areas with acne. Avoid eyes. Shake well before use.

· If you’ve blackheads, use a scrub to prevent acne. Mix aloe vera gel with a little rice powder or ground almonds. Apply on areas with blackheads and rub gently with smallcircular movements. Wash off with plenty of plain water.

· Aloe vera applied directly on acne or pimple marks help to minimise them. Mix 2 teaspoons aloe vera gel and add 2 drops of lemon juice. Dip a cotton bud in the mixture and apply directly on the pimple or acne eruption. Leave on for half-an-hour and rinse with warm water.