Aloe: A Natural Acne Remedy
Acne is a problem that bothers millions of people on a regular basis. People go to their local drugstores to get creams and masks to dry up their oily pimples. Other people visit a dermatologist to get prescription acne medication. Little do these people know that a natural acne remedy can be found in an aloe plant.
Natural Acne Remedies Cost Much Less
Considering the expense of creams and prescription acne medication, the fact that an inexpensive aloe plant is an effective natural acne remedy is indeed an appealing one. Before you go out and get an aloe plant, you first need to understand why aloe is such an excellent natural acne remedy.
First of all, acne is caused by an infection in the upper layer of the skin. The skin tries to safeguard itself against the infection going deeper by creating pus. The pus is a sign that the pimple is close to healing. When placed directly on a pimple, the natural acne remedy healing properties of the aloe cool the skin and absorb the infection.
Aloe is not only excellent for acne, it is also very helpful to sunburns. Look at many of the sunscreens, and you will find that many brands use aloe as an integral healing ingredient. So, with all this knowledge, you can now find an aloe plant.
Aloe plants are easily obtained at many garden centers. If aloe plants are not easily obtained in your area, you can always get one on the internet. Be aware, however, that the plant will only be shipped during favorable climate conditions.
Speaking of that, aloe plants do best if they are placed indoors. If they are nurtured correctly, they can get quite large, so make sure you get an accommodating pot! When it comes to harvesting the aloe itself, there are several steps to follow.
First, use clean scissors to snip a long arm of the aloe plant off - the closer to the root the better. Once that has been done, use the edge of the scissors to cut a vertical line down the entire arm. The aloe is a gelatin-like substance inside. Take the aloe out with a small spoon, and place it into a Ziploc bag for safekeeping.
Only take one arm every couple of weeks, as each fully developed arm supplies enough aloe to last that long. With the proper care, not only will you have a healthy, helpful plant, but you will also have excellent skin with a clear appearance.
