If you use aloe vera only to treat sunburn, then you’re missing out. There’s so much more this fabulous plant gel can do for your skin....

It’s true that ale vera gel is great for soothing burned and irritated skin. But the properties that allow it to offer such relief also make it a great asset for other areas of your health and skincare routine.

As you may know, aloe is a spiky succulent that makes a great addition to home décor. And if you do end up with a sunburn, you can just snap off a leaf. You’ll find a gel-like substance right inside that you can apply directly to the burn. It won’t be blue, but it will still offer relief.

While aloe is a good offensive player ready to attack the pain of a sunburn, it’s also great on offense as a preventive. Its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce redness and slow aging. It’s also very hydrating, which means it can make skin appear fuller and brighter. And some scientific research even suggests it can boost collagen production, making skin look plumper, smoother, and younger.

For men and women, aloe vera gel is great as an aftershave treatment. Its healing properties can treat small cuts and burns caused by shaving. It also reduces the irritation some people experience when shaving. Aloe vera gel contains two hormones: Auxin and Gibberellins. These two hormones provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation.

Aloe vera also supports the immune system and the body’s healing processes. It’s loaded with vitamins, nutrients, fatty acids, enzymes, antioxidants, and polysaccharides. These attributes mean that aloe vera can help relieve dry skin, eczema, and rosacea and even help you fight off viruses and other infections by boosting your T-cell levels.

With benefits like that, people have realized that aloe vera can be just as good for your insides as for your outsides. You can mix aloe vera gel with water to form a juice or stir it into a smoothie. You’ll get a heavy dose of vitamins A, C, and E to support your skin from the inside out while strengthening your immune system, boosting your energy levels, and flushing toxins out of your body. It can also help support your digestive system. In fact, sunburn isn’t the only burn it can soothe – many people find that aloe vera helps relieve heartburn too.

Reduces Frequency of GERD Symptoms

In one pilot study, researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial following 79 subjects with gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as GERD. They gave the participants either an aloe vera syrup (standardized to 5.0 mg polysaccharide per mL of syrup) at a dose of 10 mL/d, omeprazole capsule (20 g/d) or ranitidine tablet (150 mg in a fasted state in the morning and 150 mg 30 min before sleep at night).

After two and four weeks the researchers assessed the frequencies of eight main symptoms of GERD: heartburn, food regurgitation, flatulence, belching, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and acid regurgitation.

Here’s what they concluded: “Aloe vera was safe and well tolerated and reduced the frequencies of all the assessed GERD symptoms, with no adverse events requiring withdrawal.” In other words, the aloe was effective and safe.

Omeprazole, on the other hand, can cause fever; cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; stomach pain, gas; nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea; or headache. And ranitidine can cause headaches (some severe); drowsiness, dizziness; sleep problems (insomnia); decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or swollen or tender breasts (in men); nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or diarrhea/constipation.

Clearly, aloe vera is the treatment of choice if you suffer from GERD. And it has a lot more to offer than just relief from a bad burn. That’s why, when we developed the Système 41 line of skincare products, we chose aloe vera instead of water as a base ingredient. While water would have worked, it wouldn’t have offered nearly as many benefits. We wanted the Système 41 line to be as effective as possible, utilizing the many amazing nutrients and ingredients nature offers our skin. Aloe vera is just one of many such ingredients that we carefully selected to include in this line of products.

The Système 41 products reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lines, and creases in the skin; attract moisture to the skin, hydrating and creating plumping effects; soothe, soften, and smooth naturally; and much more. Many of these benefits are directly linked to the inclusion of aloe vera. Despite its own spiky appearance, it can help you have smooth, radiant skin that you’ll want to keep protected from the sun.