Skincare is one of the most intensive forms of self-care, not because the treatments are particularly advanced but because the skin requires consistent care. It is easy to fall into the trap of believing our skin is just a layer of organic matter of minor consequence, but the truth is that our skin is invaluable to our survival.
Without this protective layer of dermal tissue, our internal organs and musculature would be exposed to the elements and at risk of serious damage. Fortunately, our skin is not something that will peel from our bodies so easily, but that does not mean we can ignore its health and maintenance, especially since there are so many major health issues that affect our skin.
While it is true that our skin is subject to several health issues, there are also multiple tools we can use to restore it to its original state. The beauty market is currently oversaturated with creams and lotions designed to revitalize and rejuvenate the skin. While many of these products have merit as skincare tools, others are less reliable or outright useless for properly healing the skin.
One of the most appreciated tools for skincare is aloe vera, a natural supplement capable of restoring and revitalizing the skin in the face of multiple skin conditions. This extends to rosacea and other conditions that cause redness in the skin.
What is Rosacea?
One of the most common skin conditions in the world is rosacea, which is so-named due to the rosy-red color it generates on the skin. To the average observer, someone suffering from rosacea might appear to be blushing, but the symptoms can be worse than mild discoloration. The symptoms vary from person to person, but rosacea is almost always uncomfortable to the one dealing with the issue. The main symptoms of rosacea include:
- Facial Blushing/Flushing: The blushing sensation for which rosacea is named.
- Visible Veins: In more serious cases, the blood vessels in your cheeks can break and cause the veins to be visible.
- Swollen Bumps: Some individuals develop acne-like bumps on their skin due to rosacea, with some containing pus similar to a whitehead.
- Burning Sensation: The affected skin can sometimes experience burning sensations or be sensitive to touch.
- Eye Irritation: In the case of ocular rosacea, your eyes and eyelids might feel dry or swollen.
- Enlarged Nose: Rosacea can cause the skin on your nose to thicken, causing your nose to appear enlarged.
These symptoms, while minor when compared to more serious diseases, can cause severe discomfort and disorientation if not addressed. If your symptoms include persistent eye irritation, it might be in your best interest to seek medical attention as soon as possible. While understanding the symptoms might help you recognize rosacea, understanding what causes it can help you treat the condition.
The causes of rosacea are somewhat common factors that can affect virtually anyone, though women tend to have a greater risk of experiencing rosacea than men. The causes include:
- Consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Exposure to sunlight or wind.
- Emotional surges.
- Drugs that cause blood vessel dilation, such as blood pressure medication.
- Certain cosmetic products.
These are some of the primary causes of rosacea and are very easy to be exposed to through daily activities. This means more people are likely to develop rosacea due to mundane factors than via a unique pathogen or virus. Ultimately, the cause of rosacea is less important than alleviating the symptoms, so the condition does not control you. This is what makes aloe vera such a useful skincare tool.
#1: Aloe Vera is an Anti-Inflammatory
Aloe vera is a very interesting plant with an equally interesting composition. While aloe vera's unique makeup has made it a curiosity in the botanical world, the truly remarkable thing is its health benefits. Aloe vera is a powerful regenerative substance that can soothe and restore the skin in ways most chemical alternatives cannot.
One of its biggest benefits is that it is an anti-inflammatory that can help reduce the effects of swelling and irritation. Inflammation is an extremely common issue that arises from a flaw in our body's natural healing abilities. When our bodies trigger the inflammatory response, but the response does not stop, it causes pain and irritation in the affected area.
When applying that logic to rosacea, exposure to elements like wind can cause surface inflammation that triggers or exacerbates the issue. This issue is something that aloe vera has the potential to resolve, so the inflammation caused by external factors does not trigger a more severe case of rosacea. Aloe vera is a source of anthraquinones, an anti-inflammatory compound that reduces swelling. You can combat inflammation-based rosacea by applying aloe vera to your skin or consuming an aloe-based product.
#2: Aloe Vera Reduces Burning Pain
If you have ever experienced a sunburn, you likely used aloe vera to help soothe the pain and cool your skin. The anti-inflammatory benefits we mentioned in the previous section allow aloe vera to help mitigate the pain of damage caused by a sunburn. Also, aloe vera has a moisturizing effect that allows it to cool and rehydrate the skin, making all the difference when dealing with a burn.
While aloe vera became famous among modern medicine for treating sunburn, its beneficial effects geared toward tending them can be repurposed for other similar pains. In this instance, this makes aloe vera a tool for treating one of the potential symptoms of rosacea while you wait for it to resolve the underlying cause. Namely, aloe vera might be able to mitigate the burning sensation experienced in more extreme cases of rosacea.
While aloe vera's benefits against sunburns are the only proven basis of its ability to manage this specific pain, the initial research is extremely promising. Most peer-reviewed studies confirm that aloe vera can tend to the pain caused by second-degree sunburns, making tending to pain caused by rosacea a fairly simple matter. While the aloe vera treatment might not be able to undo the root cause of your rosacea, it can make more extreme breakouts manageable.
#3: Aloe Vera is Antibacterial
Another important benefit of aloe vera is that it is an antibacterial compound thanks to its large concentration of polyphenols in its chemical makeup. Polyphenols are one of the most useful substances in the world due to their ability to inhibit the development of certain bacteria. Polyphenols specifically inhibit bacteria known to cause infections when introduced to a human's biology.
These bacterial infections can range from mild to severe, depending on the species of bacterium. Using aloe vera's polyphenol count allows us to suppress these infections and promote better health. The question at hand is how this antibacterial affects those suffering from rosacea.
We mentioned in an earlier section that more extreme cases of rosacea produce bumps that can be fairly painful. These acne-like bumps are not guaranteed symptoms of rosacea but result from bacteria contaminating the skin. Bacterial cultivation on the skin is extremely common in those constantly exposed to the elements. If you are an avid hiker or naturalist, your chances of encountering bacteria that can exacerbate your rosacea increase. Applying aloe vera can inhibit the bacteria responsible for this symptom and possibly prevent it from manifesting altogether.
#4: Aloe Vera Accelerates Healing
Similar to how aloe vera can tend to the effects of sunburns, it is also known for accelerating our natural capacity for healing. While not common, the more advanced symptoms of rosacea can leave a physical mark on your skin. Typically, these marks are left by the previously mentioned skin bumps that can cause minor scarring or pocking on the face. These marks are not always permanent and can be healed under the right circumstances, but a tool might be necessary to ensure this recovery. Additionally, the redness caused by rosacea is an injury in and of itself that can irritate the skin.
While these injuries can be frustrating, it is possible to use aloe vera to accelerate your natural healing factor and counter these injuries. A review of experimental studies reinforced aloe vera's ability to alleviate the symptoms of sunburn. However, it also demonstrates that aloe vera can help the affected areas heal from the lingering effects while also countering redness from irritation and bacterial infection. While these studies are focused on the effects of sunburns, the results show promise for aloe vera's application toward healing injuries caused by rosacea. Aloe vera might serve a greater purpose for your recovery than previously believed.
#5: Aloe Vera Rejuvenates the Skin
After a bout with a skin condition like rosacea, your skin is left in a sensitive state as it recovers. While some people prefer to wait for conditions like rosacea out and allow the skin to heal independently, this can backfire in the long run. The skin is an organ and requires just as much attention as any other part of the body affected by physical maladies.
While a bout of rosacea will not compromise the skin's functionality, it can suffer from damage resulting in cosmetic issues. While the look of your skin is not necessarily a priority when dealing with skin diseases, the aftermath could cause you to be unhappy with your physical appearance.
Fortunately, one of aloe vera's most common uses is as a cosmetic tool to revitalize the skin and return it to a youthful look. While this might sound like the setup to a bad makeup commercial, those dealing with chronic rosacea might benefit from aloe vera's cosmetic effects.
A 2009 study confirmed that aloe vera increased collagen production in women over 45 years old. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks our bodies use to produce new layers of skin as we live our life. Aloe vera can also restore skin integrity, meaning you can almost eliminate the cosmetic damage caused by rosacea.
Are There Risks With Aloe Vera?
Using a new product to treat any condition can be daunting, considering the number of mainstream medical products that carry a host of side effects. While most medical side effects are a minority occurrence, the threat of potential drawbacks from their use can give anyone pause. That is why it is important to understand the potential risks of any product you are considering, including aloe vera. While aloe vera is a naturally occurring substance rather than produced in a laboratory, it would be foolish not to look into its potential risks and side effects. Fortunately, there is good news for those eager to use aloe vera for their skincare needs.
American regulatory agencies labeled Aloe vera a safe product, meaning there is no significant risk associated with its use. While there are approved products that have lingering risks, aloe vera only has one major side effect. Aloe vera is a laxative that can cause minor gastrointestinal distress when ingested. This distress usually manifests as cramps or diarrhea but does not pose significant health risks to the user. So, you should be perfectly safe using aloe vera to supplement your skincare routine. This leaves acquisition as the only issue you should face going forward.
Keep it All Natural!
Rosacea and other skin conditions can wreak havoc on your skin's health and your self-esteem, especially when reddened skin is a major symptom. While these conditions can appear devastating at first glance, they are usually harmless. Despite that, you might still want to ensure relief and recovery using skincare products to mitigate the effects.
While this is a reasonable stance, you risk causing more harm if you rush to use a synthetic product with risks of rash or other skin problems. Aloe vera can offer a natural solution with virtually no risk to your health or appearance. The problem is finding an aloe vera product you can trust.
We at Bella All Natural believe that natural supplements and beauty products are the best tools anyone could want. This sentiment has led to the development of our aloe vera juice and "gelly" for ingestion or topical application, respectively. If you are dealing with rosacea, a dose of our supplement will help your skin maximize its recovery while minimizing the symptoms. So, we invite you to visit our website and look into our products for yourself. Regardless of your decision, remember always to keep it All Natural!
