Aloe Vera and Turmeric for Skin and Dark Spots
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
Dark spots are a common skin condition that can result from hyperpigmentation caused due to aging, scarring, excessive sun exposure, and many other factors. The benefits of using aloe vera and turmeric for skin and dark spots are popularly purported among the skincare community. But do they really work? Let’s get explored together.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the benefits of using aloe vera and turmeric for skin and dark spots according to research findings. But before we get into how aloe vera and turmeric can help skin and dark spots, it’s worth knowing the fundamentals of dark spots a little bit more. So, let’s get started.
Table of contents
- What are dark sports?
- Types and causes of dark spots
- What is aloe vera?
- What is turmeric?
- Benefits of aloe vera and turmeric for skin and dark spots
- Final words
What are dark spots?
Dark spots are typically nothing but hyperpigmentation on the skin. The pigment compound that gives the skin its natural color is called melanin. When the skin makes too much melanin, it may cause the skin to darken in certain areas.
A number of factors can be involved in contributing to the development of hyperpigmentation on the skin. Based on the causative factors, dark spots can be of different types. Let’s take a look at some of the common types and causes of dark spots on the skin.
Types and causes of dark spots
Dark spots may affect different people differently. They may cover large areas or occur in patches on the face or affect different other areas throughout the body. Based on the factor what’s causing hyperpigmentation, dark spots can be classified mainly into the following three types:
Age spots - sometimes called sunspots or liver spots. This is the most common type of dark spot. As the name suggests, dark spots developed with aging or because of excessive exposure to UV rays of the sun fall into this type.
Melasma - hyperpigmentation may also result from hormonal changes, such as during certain life events like pregnancy or menopause. This type of dark spot may occur in any part of the body but is commonly found in the face and belly.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) - this type of hyperpigmentation results from skin damage that may be caused due to a variety of reasons, such as:
- Acne vulgaris
- Injuries such as burns, cuts, and bites
- Excess use of skin care products such as over-exfoliation or waxing
- Skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema
In addition, hyperpigmentation may also appear as a side effect of certain medications such as psychotropic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). But dark spots seem to be generally harmless and most of them tend to be clear with home remedies such as aloe vera and turmeric.
Let’s have a look at some of the common ways in how aloe vera and turmeric can benefit the skin and dark spots.
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera, botanically known as Aloe barbadensis miller, is a shrubby, cactus-like succulent plant that is native to the Arabian peninsula but grows wild in dry and hot climates of tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world.
The leaves of aloe vera have an incredible ability to attract and store water molecules and have historically been used in traditional and alternative medicine to treat a wide range of health conditions for thousands of years. It is best known for its benefits in treating skin injuries with its miraculous wound healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric, botanically known as Curcuma longa, is a flowering plant of the ginger family. The root (rhizome) of the plant is globally used in cooking as a common spice. But it also has a long history of medicinal use in traditional medicine for centuries around the world, particularly in the countries of South Asia such as India and China.
The medicinal benefits of turmeric come from curcumin, the major pharmacologically active ingredient in turmeric, which has been found to have noticeable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-neoplastic properties.
Turmeric has proven efficacy in treating symptoms of inflammation, such as pain and swelling, and therefore, has been found effective in skin inflammations as well.
Benefits of aloe vera and turmeric for skin and dark spots
Both aloe vera and turmeric have been shown to have a wide range of positive effects on various skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation or dark spots. Let’s have a look at some common benefits of aloe vera and turmeric for dark spots and skin one by one.
Benefits of aloe vera for skin and dark spots
- Helps lighten dark spots or hyperpigmentation due to the presence of aloin, which has the potential to regulate the production of melanin
- Helps wounds heal faster
- Prevents and even reverses fungal and bacterial infections
- Helps skin stay hydrated and reduces the symptoms of aging such as wrinkles (anti-aging properties)
- May help soothe symptoms of allergies such as rashes and swelling on the skin
- Helps treat various skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis
Benefits of turmeric for skin and dark spots
- Helps restrict melanin production and reduce the appearance of dark spots
- Enhances skin glow by providing a more even-toned skin surface
- Calms skin inflammations and helps improve various inflammatory issues such as redness, swelling, and rashes
- Helps treat and prevent acne breakouts
- Helps heal skin wounds, cuts, burns, and other uncomfortable skin issues
- Reduces the appearance of skin scars caused by various conditions such as injuries
Final words
Both aloe vera and turmeric have numerous benefits for the skin and dark spots. But it’s important to use them properly. Most clinicians recommend oral ingestion along with topical application to get the benefits from the inside out. However, it’s important to work with a professional naturopath or dermatologist to determine the best method of use.
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Important resources:
- https://vagadskhadi.com/blogs/blogs/how-to-get-rid-of-dark-spots-on-the-face
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-dark-spots-on-the-face
- https://pharmeasy.in/blog/best-ways-to-reduce-dark-spots-on-the-face/
- https://banish.com/blogs/article/natural-remedies-for-dark-spots
- https://bebodywise.com/blog/aloe-vera-for-skin-whitening/
- https://www.purplle.com/magazine/article/top-5-hacks-to-remove-dark-spots-with-home-remedies
- https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/benefits-of-turmeric-for-glowing-skin
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a39867126/turmeric-for-skin/
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/aloe-vera-for-dark-spots/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/aloe-vera-for-dark-spots#how-it-works